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Accidental Enlightenment
 The adventure didn't end there, of course. Determined not to spend the rest of my life hating kayaks, I got back onto the water the same afternoon. Ian, our unflappable kayaking guru, shepherded us through choppy water to the Golden Gate Bridge. Transfixed by the gleaming span, I forgot—briefly—that my shoulder was on fire from an old injury.
Then it was time to be a journalist, as the actual athletes attempted a two-day race. I was scared. I'd never done field reporting before, and even talking to Directory Assistance had made me queasy. Now, as the mini-race unfolded, I was shamelessly, joyously gathering stories, scribbling quotes, getting people to open up to me, keeping up with seasoned journalists who were also covering the event, and shooting video. I could do it.
 In my own way, I realized later, I was doing just what the athletes were doing—facing down old fears, trying new things. I'd dropped out and felt like a total loser. But somehow I'd still learned the key lesson of adventure school: Stretch yourself, and life will take shapes you never imagined.
And then, oh joy divine, I went back to the hotel and ordered room service.
Peter Winkler later went to New Zealand to cover the Southern Traverse adventure race. He trailed a TV crew, took photos from a chopper, jumped off a bridge—and ordered room service.
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