chapter 430
5/22/2016
Evel Knievel
daredevil in all of us
I took part in this event. Not my photo, but found it online as his 16th Most Dangerous Jump. Three days after getting engaged to Kathy we ventured to the once in a lifetime live Evel Knievel jump over 16 cars and busses at the Great Barrington Fair grounds on 9/16/1971. It was a bit windy and drizzly dark evening at 8 pm. There was a threat of not completing the jump with the conditions but Evel made a few practice runs on the cinder track with his Harley Davidson #1 motorcycle. He went right to the end of the take off ramp a couple times and stopped adding to the tension. He then proceeded to make the jump smoothly but the landing was a not too violent crash. After some scurrying around he got back up on the bike and rode it to the ramp holding his wrist which got injured or re-injured during the landing. Thanked the crowd, mentioned his upcoming Canyon Jump and we took off with the inclement weather threatening.
Had followed Evel during college after he made the dramatic terrible crash at Caesar's Palace. The George Hamilton movie had just been released and the Snake River Canyon jump had just been approved clearing the legal hurdles. This was mid career of his 75 jumps. It was inspiring, only an hour from home and only cost 4 bucks. Good decision to watch in person. You just gotta go for the gusto. Not my idol, but a very interesting character for sure. Like Donald Trump, he was an accident in progress that you just couldn't stop watching.
We all have a little bit of Evel in each of us. Took Colleen on the Hudson River up to the Spire Falls Dam previously covered Chapter 398. Told her I wanted to go right up to the boom so I could hang my leg over to hold in the current and get a dam shot. Oh boy, she said. Told her if afraid, just hang next to shore as the current was swift. She successfully proceeded all the way adhering to her mantra, "You only live once, don't hold back."
So, I got this shot that I liked with the nice sunshine. There was a forecast of potential gale force high winds to come later in the day so we wanted to get back off the water by that time. We could have taken the chicken slower more controlled downstream route but I said lets take the faster route right down the center of the channel. I explained the danger would be hitting a slightly submerged bolder that could upset the kayak, turn it over if you are not parallel with the current, and you die due to hypothermia. Hey, let's take a chance we should be OK.
We got back to the launch no problem. All was well. It was our little daredevil moment. It doesn't look scary here but you gotta respect the water and know that things can go bad quickly. The water depths upstream are over a hundred feet. Forgot to ask he if she could swim.
A longtime friend of mine had a hip replaced. One of his doctors told him he wouldn't walk without a walker but could do so if he wanted to risk dying in a fall. That was taken way too seriously and the guy is afraid to walk outside his house. This makes me very ANGRY... We all face risks. Manageable risks make life worth living.
You know bucket lists are not just for retirement, it's a continuous life long pursuit.
More Evel
History Channel's "Absolute Evel" excellent 2 hr documentary recently shown on TV
1971 Movie with George Hamilton not very good
couple Evel Knievel Museums
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