Running a river in a swing state during a presidential election… hoo boy, that can feel like a Class V rapid, no doubt. The political noise? It’s a churning, swollen current, threatening to toss you overboard and spin you into the eddy. But remember, folks, every seasoned river rat knows there ain’t no smooth water all the time. We learn to read the river, navigate the whirlpools, and come out stronger on the other side.
Same goes for folks with different views. We paddle together, respect the flow, and find common ground, even in the wildest of waters. That’s how we make it through the whitewater, together.
Our friends at Nantahala Outdoor Center recently hosted an event to help navigate these turbulent waters. It was an experiment in reconciliation. Thirty folks came together to paddle the Nantahala. Liberals, Conservatives, Independents and Libertarians. Could they survive in the same boat together?
“What unites us is a lot more powerful than what separates us.” – Ken Powley
Bringing people together with different points of view seems to become more and more difficult but the outdoors makes that possible. Not surprising that the time on the water allowed the diversity of humans to work together to navigate the waters successfully. As river guide, Ken Powley stated, “This isn’t really about rafting. The point is that when we play together, it allows us to form relationships that we otherwise would never even consider.”
We continue to navigate the waters of uncertainty unified. At Great Outdoor Provision Co., we’re committed to protecting the outdoors– the one place that brings us all together. Through impactful legislation like the EXPLORE Act, the opportunities to bridge gaps between humanity through nature become possible. Join us in our mission to “EXPLORE Global. Unite Local.”
