"Cookie's Story

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"Cookie's Story"

Looks like fun, doesn't it? But extremely dangerous too!

This exhilarating trip almost took the lives of 4 of "Our Family" members.

Especially, "Cookie" (Charlotte Ball).

This trip began like any others, that the family engages in. On this " whitewater raft trip", was

Charlotte (who is pictured in the middle (above) holding the yellow paddle), and on the very back, is Michael Strong (her son, wearing the blue hat)

In another raft was Janice Strong and Rueben Nettleton (not pictured). There were 3 rafts in all, traveling together down the Moyie River in Idaho.

Joanne is still working on submitting her story, in her own words, to add to this (and the below) photos, of her terrifying ordeal.

So check back for that addition

I am sure you have already surmised, from a few above mentioned words, that this trip almost took a tragic turn. I think this next photo gives you a better idea of what they came down through. Forcing their rafts to literally fold in half!

All the passengers were thrown into the water. You will be able to read what the "Press" wrote about this incident, but I can't wait for Charlotte's personal story. She was the only one that was literally swept away, and in the frigid waters, the longest. She was like a tiny little fly, being flushed down a drain, with ice water!

And as you can see, nothing in sight to hang on to!

Thanks to Spokane's fabulous "Lifebird" Helicopter crew, they were the only ones that could save her at this point. She had been swept down- stream too far for anyone else in the raft crew to help.

Below you will see "Cookie" entombed in heated blankets, being transported to the "Lifebird" helicopter, by the miracle workers that saved her life.

Below is the Newspaper article(s) written about Cookie's experience.

Certainly, it does not express this dramatic episode, for the person who went through such a tramatic experience in their life. So we are all looking forward to hearing her side of this story, from below the depths of such ferocious waters. We can all, only "Thank God" that this 50 yr old women was in such good physical shape, to have survived this!

The newspaper article has been put into three pieces in order for you to actually read it here.

Incidentally, I would like to point out, that although "Cookie" is an excellent swimmer, and was in great physical shape in order to survive this, but Michael Strong, (her son) along for this "ride", (and their whole family grew up living on a lake), Michael has never, and still to this day, has never learned to swim! Furthermore, him and his wife, along with their two daughters, own a Lake cabin in Idaho, and are very active in "All" water sport activities.

All of the above mentioned people involved in this accident/rescue, are all Truely Amazing People!!!!

Photos and Newpaper Articles Contributed by "Cookie", Charlotte Ball.