What do you do when you’ve been unceremoniously dumped shortly before what was supposed to be a romantic long weekend in Napa?

That was the question I faced right before Labor Day Weekend this year.  He just “didn’t feel the chemistry,” he said.  Whatever.  I should have seen it coming.  In fact, I was the one who initially questioned whether we were ready for a long weekend away as a couple.  It had, after all, only been just over a month since we started seeing each other.

Is it time to confess that I have never actually been dumped before?  Seriously.  I haven’t exactly been a dating butterfly, but I have always called the shots.  I suppose karma was bound to catch up with me.  For the past few weeks, I’ve been trying to sort out why I was feeling so low about being dumped by a guy that I wasn’t even sure I was really into in the first place (remember the fantasies about Heathcliff?).

Boo hoo, I was way overdue, right?

Anyway, as I was saying, I didn’t see it coming.  I was rather blindsided actually.  Dumped by Edgar.  Yes, Edgar, the “Nice Guy.” Even though Napa was his idea.   And dumped for Burning Man no less.  Only in California.

So what do you do when faced with such a situation?

Some girls cut their hair.

My hair is getting longer these days and I kind of like it that way so I decided to go a different route.  I decided to face down my fears.  As I mentioned last week, one big, one small.

The small fear? Whitewater rafting. Seems like an odd fear right?  Maybe.  But then again, maybe not for someone who can’t swim.

Ok, ok, I can swim.  Sort of.  I can do laps across a pool (yes, even the deep end) like nobody’s business.  But I can’t tread water.  I can float, and I’m not exactly afraid (I’ve taken sailing lessons and actually spent a summer racing sailboats on the often turbulent Bay), but still, that one little failing means that rough water scares me.

I’ve been thinking of facing down this fear ever since the trip earlier this summer to the Yosemite Bug.  Watching the rafters fly by down the Merced River, seemingly having an amazing time, made me really want to try it.  I am also dying to learn how to surf.   Ideally, next summer.  So I figured there was no time like the present for getting started.  What better way to face that particular fear than repeatedly taking a wall of water to the face?

As romantic getaway plans were being negotiated, I mentioned the idea to Edgar.  Back when I mistakenly thought he was into me, he said we should definitely consider it as part of the plan for Labor Day.  Well, I’m not the kind of girl to let a little thing like getting dumped derail a perfectly good plan…

Approaching our first set of rapids...

Strategically hidden by a wall of water

SO much fun!

Verdict? I had the time of my life! Not scary AT ALL.  HUGE adrenaline rush.  Worth every penny.  Highly recommend.

(Shout out to Zephyr Whitewater Expeditions! I went on the one-day trip on the South Fork of the American River (Class III).  Thanks for keeping me safe and for an amazing time!)

The big fear…? Flying! I used to love getting on planes when I was little. As I’ve aged, I’ve become a big time wimp.  “Bumps” in the air scare me.  Terrorists are not so cool either.  But as I was planning my little rafting expedition up in Gold Country, I saw an online link to a flight school.  I was willing to go to Napa but truth be told, I wasn’t overly enthused about the trip. When it comes to drinking, I’m a lightweight on my best of days, and despite all of Wine Country’s charms, driving around from vineyard to vineyard sipping wine in hot weather just sounded a little…DULL.

You know what didn’t sound dull?  Getting in a small plane with a flight instructor and learning how to fly it.  My stomach did major flips just at the thought.  However, faced with the very real likelihood of staying in and moping my way through Labor Day Weekend, and after talking with Chris, the owner of Springfield Flying Service for a good 20 minutes by phone, I decided to take a giant leap of faith…

View from my car: "Am I really going to do this??"

A classic. Vintage. 1947.

Closer, closer...

Pretty sweet interior

Lots of info to process...

Chris, the owner and my awesome instructor

I'm flying, I'm flying! Overlooking New Melones Reservoir

Pit stop on this "runway" in someone's backyard

What a ride!  I faced down my fears, and for that I’m grateful.  So I suppose I should be thanking Edgar instead of fantasizing about buying a dart board, pasting a picture of his face in the center and taking aim…

Dear Edgar,
Thanks for your call to “check on me” the other day.  I’m sorry you had a cold.  I hope you’ve recovered.  No, I don’t want to play tennis, and no, I don’t want to hear all about Burning Man.  Thanks, but no thanks.
Peace,
SFSG