Finding Freedom on the Middle Fork

Evan Proctor | Salmon River, Idaho

They told me the drive wouldn’t be worth it. They asked “why do you have to go all the way to Idaho to kayak?” They worried I may not return. They were almost right.

While it would take a lifetime to explain what I found in the Idaho wilderness on this trip, I can say that a piece of me will forever be on that river. From the dry bloody nose every morning to the unpredictable June snow shower, I would not have traded it for the world. I made temporary friends as well as some lifelong ones on the river and we reveled in all of God’s magnificent creation.

This picture is from an incredible sunset at the Loon Creek hot springs. We got to them just as the sun was passing over the ridge behind us. We drank beer, jumped into the ice cold creek, and even had a small encounter with a local bull snake before hiking our way back to camp.

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