Kendall and I had an amazing few days in Jackson Hole, Wyoming with First Descents. Kendall and I arrived the evening before so we could go sight seeing and we were able to visit Teton Nat’l Park and Yellowstone. The first day, the FD team got us outfitted and then we traveled to a lake to practice our maneuvers. The wet exit was our favorite where they would turn you over and count to five until we could undo ourselves from the kayak and return to the surface. Sounds easy, but the water is a little bit chilly and it takes your breath, but it’s a skill you must have for when it turns over in the rapids and you are upside down. The next day we paddled 9 miles on the Snake River and even after turning over, Kendall would climb back in and start paddling. The majority of us would roll our kayak over that day. The next morning we changed our kayaks for a rubber ducky which is a rubber version of the kayak. We would go another 9 miles, but this day we tackled more difficult class 3-4 rapids. Kendall met this incredible 26 year old survivor who is a previous FD participant who has also battled cancer as a young adult. They have formed this incredible friendship, almost sister like, and are planning to stay in touch so she can help Kendall get through her treatments. It’s comforting to know others have done this and been successful and can be a support system during and after treatment. We are so blessed to have met Christina from Boston. Please check out First Descents website and spread the word about how amazing their program is. Thanks to Mr. Brad Ludden for your vision to help cancer patients with these outdoor programs. Also, thanks to my company Genentech for partnering with FD and sending Kendall and I on this amazing trip. Kendall, you continue to smile and brighten our lives, hang in there, you can do this.
Love, Dad, Mom, Connor and all of Team Kendall!
Check out the Jackson Hole pictures!