Years ago my family and I lived on Vancouver Island. It was beautiful. Home to some memories I will never forget. One summer weekend we all decided to go on an adventure at a place called The Medicine Bowls. Basically it is a shallow river with a smooth rocky bottom. The catch is that centuries ago the rocks eroded to form many small bowl shaped pools. Although a fascinating sight, it can be dangerous. With the fast moving water and the slippery rock surface, one can easily be swept off their feet while wading in the water. I always used to find the best pool in the river and pretend it was a hot tub. But this time we visited the Medicine Bowls the trip was different; we set out in search of something more than the fascinating river.
Finally the tedious car ride was over; Jade and I darted out of the car wrestling each other on the way out. As I entered the forest I was enveloped by the crisp pine smelling air. My lungs were invigorated with every breath. I gazed up at the towering trees, mesmerized as they swayed rhythmically. The forest was like a sanctuary, I never wanted to leave. Jade and I picked up the pace as we trekked through the woods, our parents shouted but we didn’t listen. After all we had more important things to worry about. We eventually heard a faint sound of running water that gradually grew to the roar of a river as we traveled further. The anticipation was unbearable so Jade and I resumed a full sprint dodging branches, clearing logs, and hopping bushes. Soon enough we reached the river’s edge. I observed a measured thirty foot waterfall in awe. The immense power the crashing water harbored was astounding

I decided that I would not go home until I had jumped off myself. So I begged my mom, she had approved for whatever reason. So we all climbed to the top cautiously. The water flowed over the edge swiftly, and when I finally reached the top my dream became reality, and it scared me. My legs tensed up, and my arms felt useless, I told myself I was just cold. In the back of my mind I began to doubt myself. I peered down at the thrashing crashing chaos below. I tried to focus by calculating how many steps I needed to take. Jade cheered me on, and I recalled the promise I made to myself earlier. I needed to do this, nothing else in the world to me was more important at this moment. I backed up, my eyes locked on the rocks in front of me. This is it. My fingertips began to tingle, the goose bumps on my arm were all too apparent.

I lunged forward pumping my arms in desperation; I just barely propelled myself over the edge. Before I knew it I was in midair, my body flailing around like a maniac, I couldn’t help but let out a shriek. Suddenly my body pierced the wild river, and I plunged five feet under. MY body was in shock due to the icy water, so as I reached the surface I panted hysterically trying to regain my breath. My head bobbed on the surface and I quickly was carried to land by the current. I used my last spurt of energy to thrust my body to safety. Solid ground never felt so good. I laid back still out of breath, and set my head on the moss, my sister arrived at my side to give me a towel.
“I’m never doing that again.” I remarked, and we both laughed. My teeth chattered and my arms still had goose bumps, but that adventure was worth the risk.