Home, home, sweet home! Home is sweeter than ever when you come back from a tough trip. I made it back home at 20:00 Sunday, from a two-day adventure excursion to Baisha River, Hongkou, Dujiangyan City.

　　On 21-22 August 2004 I had several outdoor challenges first time in my life - River Tracing, sleeping in a tent in the wilderness, Free-hanging zipline, free-fall Abseil. Besides, I carried a professional 70-liter backpack, a damppoof cushion, a sleeping bag and other must-to-take items for outdoor activities, a load of 25 kilos at least. I had to walk up and down a 2-km mountain trail, and made my way through bushes under which the trail was very wet and slippery. Having been enjoying life for the last 30 years, I really have to admire myself for this tour. It was an invaluable new experience in my life.

　　I appreciate the Chengdu Boondocks Outdoor Exercise Club for their very good arrangement. The two guides, Hao and Tan Ke (tank in English) were excellent instructor and team leaders. I am thankful for all the care and friendship of my team members as well. It was our collective efforts that made this adventure a blast of success.

　　The adventure group was made of the following outstanding people, many of them outdoor veterans:

　　Hao (浩, a common boy''s given name)

　　Tan Ke (坦克, tank)

　　Juan Niao (倦鳥(niǎo), weary bird)

　　Bu Zui Bu Gui (不醉不歸, No home until drunk)

　　Xiao Co (小CO)

　　鋼兔寶寶(steel rabbit cutie)

　　Qing Feng (清風(fēng), cool breeze)

　　Da Hei (大黑, Heavy black)

　　Xiao Long Nu (小龍女, Little Dragon Maiden )

　　Xiao Wei (小薇, a common girl''s given name)

　　Kong Xin (空心, hollow heart)

　　Xi Xi (西西，Double Xi – a cute girl''s name)

　　Bluebird (藍(lán)鳥(niǎo)，me)

　　Lan Se (藍(lán)色, blue)

　　Chong Er(寵兒，Sweetheart girl)

　　Each of them was committed outdoor adventurers. They were amazingly energetic. In them I saw what is life''s real vitality. I was overwhelmed at their unbelievable vigor - the vigor of youth.

　　I am also thankful for our two drivers for their professionalism. They took good care of the whole team. They drove very safely, which was important for a successful adventure.

　　River Tracing

　　It is easily taken for granted as a piece of cake, but one would be shocked when challenged by the seemingly calm and plain water.

　　A group of 15 people, we made it to Bagemiao ( the 8-angle temple) at noon, had a quick lunch, and climbed down to the Baisha River. The starting point did not have very big torrents. The water was going quite slowly, and I could see that it was pretty shallow as well, rocks of all sizes clearly visible.

　　Too excited, I jumped in front of the group and got into water before everybody else. A sudden surge of freezing cold went through my body. I almost immediately shivered a bit. Nothing would stop me from proving how brave and strong I am! So I moved to the other side where Hao was already waiting. Leader and guide of the group. he did not seem to be hindered by the running water in any way.

　　Soon I was pushed backward. It was just like a person pushing me by the feet, and it was pretty strong. I tried hard to keep balance, and yet was soon knocked over by the persistent force. I failed and disgraced myself very badly.

　　"Damn, this is really no joke! It is never a simple cake. I''ve got to be careful."

　　Having tried more, I got more used to the torrents, and only fell over one more time. Everybody got all wet through, but nobody seemed to be miserable. We did not have good luck of a sunny day, ideal for river tracing. So we had to endure the coldness when cool breezes took heat from our body. All were yelling “cold, cold!”

　　I had to mention the important company of the pretty ladies in our group. Had it not been for their active participation, we could not have had as much fun. They were the most noisy and funny – screaming in the middle of the river, falling over, shouting for help, cursing the men who were flirting and teasing them, getting back on the bank sharing the excitements…they were cute and charming; they made a gorgeous view enlivening the whole river; the running water was singing and rhyming with their laughters; the wind was blowing melodies, just in response to their beautiful voices. And right now in my mind, their pretty images and silvery voices linger.

　　Our hunks Hao, Tank and Juanniao absolutely got the most favors from all ladies. I was jealous, but had to admire their perfect outdoor skills, athletic bodies, and great sense of humor. They were almost like stroking across the river while everybody else tried with their full might and still fell over. They were professional players for sure. I love Hao''s humor. When told "wow, you were almost like a super power standing in the dangerous torrent helping all of us", he put it in a funny way, "oh, that''s what I am good for when I realize that I have grown into a big, fatty."

　　Tank was a committed guide. He ran to where he was most needed, across the river, along the bank through a forest of sharp rocks, across the mountain to set up rope courses…he was the most respected and admired, and also the most yelled at by ladies.

　　"Tank, I know it has to be you. Bad man!" would yell a lady when splashed by a rock that had been tossed into water behind her. Tank played the most tricks on girls. I also did some, true for every other man. Actually, as it turned out, girl flirting and teasing went through the whole trip, and proved to be an important reason for fun. I cannot imagine a trip with only girls or men. There would never have been fun, or as much fun to say the least. God first created a man, then he made a woman for his company, and then the man the woman are happy together. This is God''s will. We all have to follow.

　　"I hate Tank the most"; "Tank is the worst guy in our group"; "My God, Tank was tossing rocks again. he is always doing this today"…all these words were repeatedly said by every lady in the group. Never take it seriously as complaints. They were happy acceptance of flirtation. You can take it this way

　　"I like Tank who is always so funny and so active"; "Tank is the best guy in our group; "come on, Tank, I also need to be splashed. Give me a rock now".

　　Hahaha, that''s life. That''s how we have fun. When the ladies were swimming, a group of men were watching. Some were throwing rocks again; three were down in water behind the ladies; people were teasing; ladies were cursing, but their happy, smiling face betrayed their seeming strong voice. I kept hitting the shutter of my camera to record such magnificent scenes.