Runaway Kayak

My college roommate lives in the area, so we make it a point to get together at least three times a year.  The conditions today were spectacular for October so we met at Great Falls Park in Virginia, part of the National Park System.  We took the river walk, which has a couple of overlooks.  We were talking and only half paying attention to the scenery when we noticed two kayakers.  They had "parked" their kayaks at the base of a cliff, and were starting to carry them up the rocks.  I'm not sure why - perhaps they were avoiding the next set of rapids???  The kayaker still half in the water lost control of his boat, which started to float downstream (the turquoise in the photo).  Next thing we knew, he was floating as well, heading for those rapids.  Of course then he had our full attention, and my roommate pulled out her cell phone to call 911.  What good that was going to do I don't know, but we were relieved when the radio of a Park Ranger went off next to us.  He had seen the situation in the water and was communicating with another Ranger.  Apparently this is a common sight, as these rapids are a popular destination for those who are active in the sport.  The Ranger watched to make sure the man could make it to shore, and whistled for a young couple (bottom middle of the photo) to move away from the edge, before resuming his other responsibilities.  All in a day's work for him.  I admire those who find riding rapids to be fun, but it's sure not for me.  My roommate and I enjoyed the rest of our hike, and followed it by a relaxing lunch at a local cafe.