Fiery passion, cold water

On a chilly February morning, snow drifted onto the rushing water as Drew Stephens and his fellow kayakers paddled on the Spokane River near the State Line bridge. The group of five Spokane and Coeur d’Alene residents stayed together, near one powerful eddy line. The kayakers wore gloves, brightly colored drysuits and skintight hoods to stay warm in the 38-degree water.