French trip a great vacation for the Jackson and Lunt families

June 18, 2006

Photos

After we left Lyon, we headed North/East but not too far. We got to a small town where a whitewater park, called “Espace Eau Vive” is. I was surprised to see some familiar faces, like French Freestyle team member from the 2005 World Championships working there, helping out the rafters, teaching kayaking ,etc. There was at least 100 slalom gates set up, and one really fun play hole. Our first session was, of course, a full on freestyle play session. We did loops, McNastys, Phonix Monkeys, Lunar Orbits, tons of cartwheels, etc., etc. Nick, Emily, Dane, and I paddled with my partner Tony, and his two sons, Mathew, and Alexander. Mathew was dialed in right away (age 16) and was surfing and rolling like a star. (they live in Arizona in a desert, so they don’t get much paddling in) Alex, couldn’t roll, so I spent a little time with him (age 12) and he was rolling like a rock star in 5 minutes and started playing in the holes! We hung out at the Lunt RV right at the course, and the management there got the Jacksons a Tee Pee to sleep in. Dane was sold on spending a second day there.

In the afternoon, we got two duckies and took the girls down the course in those. (Kristine and Tony’s wife, Dominique). After both girls got the EJ guided tour, they had to do the run together! That was a worthy sight to see, even though they never did flip. A great dinner on the river at the “Hotel du Rhone” with Tony picking out the wine and we had a great day! Meanwhile, I got to spend some time with Team Dutch, which was two sisters, ages 17 (her birthday) and age 19, as well as two more ladies, and two guys all 18 years old. They were in Lyon and were coincidentally there at the same time as us. The second day was full of USA verses Holland in no paddle ducky races, as well as hanging out at the course. I got some good slalom paddling in too, borrowing a boat from a local guy.

Today we headed North East again just to the south side of Lac Lamon (the Lake that Lussane, Switzerland is on) but we went to Thonalon des Bain and headed up into the mountains for some sweet paddling in a very cool gorge. Tony had to take Dominique and Mathew to the Airport in Geneva so Emily, Dane, Nick, and I got on this river where it looked like we could put in. We entered a gorge and found some sweet rapids, along with some unrunnable stuff that was really ugly. After about an hour we got to class 2-3 rapids and took them to where Alexander was waiting by the water to signal that we were at the take out.

We got out and left our gear on the railing while we waited for Tony to return to this predetermined spot. I tried to finish reading “The D’avinci Code”. I can’t spell the guys name! somebody help me! Outside was a firing range and somebody was enjoying their semi-automatic and not too worried about how much money they were spending on shells. After Tony showed up we loaded the boats in the heat and got all sweaty so we went to the river and took a quick dip where you cool off quick!

We drove up the road and found a sweet little restaurant where we ate outside. (did I mention that I haven’t eaten inside in about 1 week, awesome!). We had Fondue and it was incredible. Tony has a game that you lose if you drop your bread into the cheese. He also has some good techniques for knocking your bread off your little fork when you aren’t looking.

Tony found a nice little RV park and motel to stay at right on the lake. This famous lake is crystal clear and warm. We walked down after dinner and went for a swim and somehow ended up in a pick up game of soccer. The learned really fast that the Americans can make up for lack of experience in a game with additional gusto. Unfortunately, Nick was not on my team, and he took me out four times at top speed. We were playing on damp grass with bare feet and once I was sprinting and Nick fell down and during my big jump over him he jumped up and I flew far and slid further. Three more times we was on the ground and I tripped over him. One more dip in the lake and back to the camp site. We came to the front gate and it appeared locked. Two of us tried it, then Emily started climbing over the fence when the manager came running. He gave us a look like (dumb Americans) and then proceeded to slide the door open (we tried to pull it open!). We all laughed loud at ourselves and then he got mad for making too much noise. Oh well. That brings me to where we are now, and bed time.

Many great things came out of this trip from a Jackson Kayak point of view. We got many people who had never seen a Jackson Kayak their first good look, and we are getting some quality non-stressed time with Tony and his family. All is well!

🙂 EJ