Chapter 14
A/N: Let the adventure continue
They pulled into the parking lot at 8:45am. Everyone grabbed their bags and climbed out of the cars and met at the check in.
"¡Hola! We're the group from Junquillal" Mac said.
"Oh yes. Let me pull up the list. Here we are. Mac Taylor, Stella Bonesara, Sheldon Hawks, Adam Ross, Danny Messer, Lindsay Monroe, Don Flack and Jessica Angell?" The young lady said as she read off everyone's name and they raised their hands when their name was called. "Wonderful. Here are your wristbands, and there lockers just around the corner if you wish to store any items, and there are also bathrooms around the corner. Your guide José will be over shortly to lead you to the corral for the horseback riding adventure. Enjoy your day." She said before going to tend to the next group of guests.
Mac handed out the wristbands and said "I know everyone brought their own bag, but if we could maybe manage to pare the number of bags from eight down to two, I think that will be better" Everyone then began repacking their towels and swimsuits into two bags, and then they stored the rest of their belongings in the lockers. About 5 minutes afterwards, José arrived to take them to the corral for the first leg of their eco adventure.
"Welcome! Have any of you ridden a horse before?" José asked. Lindsay raised her hand. "Only one? That's ok. Here are your helmets, and once everyone has their helmet on, we will get on our horses."
Lindsay was the first to saddle up because she had ridden before, so she showed everyone how to get on the horse. Once everyone was on a horse José spoke again.
"A couple of tips. When we go up a hill, lean forward in the saddle, and when we go down a hill, lean back in the saddle. Both of these actions will help prevent you from falling off the horse." José said as they set off on their trek.
Lindsay's horse was first to follow, then Hawks' horse, next was Stella's horse, then Adam's horse followed Stella's, Jess's followed Adam, then Danny, Don and Mac's horse was the last in line. At one point during the journey, Don's horse tried to over take Danny's horse. This did not sit well with Danny's horse, so he tried to push Don and his horse sideways into the brush. Don quickly got the message and fell back into his original place. 45 minutes and one creek crossing later, they arrived at the start of the tubing adventure, where other guests were arriving by bus.
"Welcome everyone. Change rooms are over there, and once everyone is changed, we go over some safety rules, and then head down to the river in about 15-20 minutes" The river guide said as everyone went off to change. Jess was sitting on a picnic table putting her brace on when Stella walked over.
"Hey Jess. How's your ankle?" Stella asked as Jess tightened her brace.
"Oh hey Stell. It's good. I'm just tightening the brace; don't want to take any chances of bashing my ankle off a rock. The crappy part is that it's going to leave a really bad tan line" Jess said laughing. As they chatted a little bit before the river guide began his speech regarding safety, and what to do if you fall out of your tube, or if you get stuck. After his speech everyone began the climb with tubes, down the hill.
"How you doing Adam?" Stella asked over he shoulder as they climbed down the hill.
"Oh, just fine Stella" Adam said as he cautiously made his way down the hill.
"Relax and have fun Adam. How often are you going to get to do something like this?" Stella asked.
"You're right. But, uh…. if something you know…. Tell my mom I love her" Adam replied.
"Ok, but how bout you call her when we get back to New York?" Stella suggested with a smile as everyone continued down the hill. Soon they were at the starting point.
"Everyone be safe, have fun, and see you at the end of the river" one of the guides said as everyone filed into the river one by one.
"Just think of it as a slightly faster lazy river" Stella told Adam as she climbed into her tube in the river and set off.
"If you say so" Adam said as he began his adventure.
"Love you. See you out there and at the end" Don said kissing Jess before he hopped into his tube and set off.
"Love you too" Jess called following suit.
Everyone took the time in the river to relax in the tubes as they went along the river. At one point Stella met up with Jess, before they parted ways and continued down the river. Even Adam was having fun, until he got stuck. Danny tried to help get him unstuck, but all that resulted in was Danny getting stuck as well. Luckily a guide was right behind them and he helped free them, and soon they were on their way. The guide wanted to spin Adam for the up coming rapid, but Adam declined and stated he would rather go feet first and facing forward. What the team didn't know was that at the last rapid there was a guide hiding behind a rock waiting to scare them. The first person to learn this cruel fact was Stella, who screamed loudly, but was told to not tell the next person down what was going to happen. That next person was Hawks, and Hawks screamed.
"Sorry! He made me not say anything" Stella apologized as everyone made their way down the final rapid. In fact, Danny was so startled he fell out of his tube. This caused Lindsay to laugh hysterically.
"You think that this is funny Montana?" Danny asked as he swam over to Lindsay.
"A little, yeah" Lindsay said before Danny tipped her out of her inner tube. Meanwhile, Stella was talking to Adam.
"See, not so bad. Except that last rapid where the guide was hiding" Stella said as they climbed out of the river.
"You're right. It was actually really fun. What now Mac?" Adam asked.
"Lunch time. Right after we all change" Mac said drying off.
"Perfect! I'm starving" Don said grabbing a towel.
"You and Danny are always hungry" Stella said as all three women laughed.
"After we eat, we have the zip lining adventure" Mac said as they all headed off to change.
"I'm excited for that" Jess said as she, Lindsay and Stella changed into dry clothing.
"Me too. But right now, I'm hungry" Stella said running a brush through her hair before throwing it up into a ponytail.
After a short bus ride back to the parking lot, the team stored their swim stuff in the car, and headed up to the restaurant for lunch.
A/N: Next chapter will be lunch and zip lining!