Hi Tom. On a 24 day trip, I assume you were paddling and in a small group. That must have been an even more amazing experience. For me, I ended up feeling like I and Mary and the other folks on the trip formed a small tribe after 11 days. It was a wonderful experience.
Rick: Yes, we paddled the whole thing on a self-guided trip. It was an intense experience in terms of setting, monumental whitewater, length of time on the river, and the work involved. I knew most of the people beforehand, but the daily routines of unloading, setting up camp, eating, then packing the rafts for another day definitely resulted some deep tribal bonding! So happy that you and Mary made that experience happen!
You brought back some incredible memories with your slideshow because I rafted through the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River three times back in the 70s. I often wish that everybody I know could have an experience like that because seeing the canyon through the eyes of the river is a nearly indescribable experience. Redwall Cavern, House Rock Rapids, Lava Falls, Hance Rapids... thank you for refreshing my memories!
Hi Betsy. I'm so glad that the show brought back incredible memories. I loved your phrase "seeing the canyon through the eyes of the river..." And I too wish that everyone could have this experience. Especially if it mobilized people to fight against human-caused climate change and the threat that makes to the Colorado.
If you ever have a chance to read a book entitled The Emerald Mile by Kevin Fedarko, I think it would be worth your while. It's the story of several friends that make the trip on the Colorado River in a wooden dory. It's a true story and now that you have experienced the river I'm sure your adrenaline will rush when you read their accounts of going through many of the rapids.
Hi Betsy. Thanks for the recommendation. Mary was reading that book as we went down the river and once we got off and headed west to visit family. She spoke very highly of it too. It's on my list.
Ed &Judy, thanks again for commenting. I hope you raft the Colorado sooner than later. I worry about the river level (you raft between an upstream and downstream dam) as this drought continues and the silt level continues to increase in the last twenty or so miles before take-out.
Yes, Patricia, that scorpion is beautiful. Evidently there were many of them out and about at night but this is the only one that I saw. I'm glad I had the camera with me.
Hi Ramona. I glad the slideshow made your heart smile. We went in mid to late April and the water level was relatively low. The rapids were, I think, a bit calmer than the guides expected. In the last 25 miles as we approached Lake Mead, the water level was low enough and the silt level high enough that we ran aground a couple of times.
Hi Judy, I'm glad you enjoyed the photography. I was pleased with how the photos from the trip turned out. Though I must admit, I typically delete about 3/4 of all the photos I take.
Thank you for such a beautiful trip down the river. I kept imagining the canyon full with water--what a world that would have been!
Such a beautiful post, Rick! Thank you for repainting my memories. I spent 24 days last April rafting the Canyon. It truly is a life-changing place.
Hi Tom. On a 24 day trip, I assume you were paddling and in a small group. That must have been an even more amazing experience. For me, I ended up feeling like I and Mary and the other folks on the trip formed a small tribe after 11 days. It was a wonderful experience.
Rick: Yes, we paddled the whole thing on a self-guided trip. It was an intense experience in terms of setting, monumental whitewater, length of time on the river, and the work involved. I knew most of the people beforehand, but the daily routines of unloading, setting up camp, eating, then packing the rafts for another day definitely resulted some deep tribal bonding! So happy that you and Mary made that experience happen!
You brought back some incredible memories with your slideshow because I rafted through the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River three times back in the 70s. I often wish that everybody I know could have an experience like that because seeing the canyon through the eyes of the river is a nearly indescribable experience. Redwall Cavern, House Rock Rapids, Lava Falls, Hance Rapids... thank you for refreshing my memories!
Hi Betsy. I'm so glad that the show brought back incredible memories. I loved your phrase "seeing the canyon through the eyes of the river..." And I too wish that everyone could have this experience. Especially if it mobilized people to fight against human-caused climate change and the threat that makes to the Colorado.
If you ever have a chance to read a book entitled The Emerald Mile by Kevin Fedarko, I think it would be worth your while. It's the story of several friends that make the trip on the Colorado River in a wooden dory. It's a true story and now that you have experienced the river I'm sure your adrenaline will rush when you read their accounts of going through many of the rapids.
Hi Betsy. Thanks for the recommendation. Mary was reading that book as we went down the river and once we got off and headed west to visit family. She spoke very highly of it too. It's on my list.
Awesome as always, i grew up in WV near the Gauley and New Rivers and rafted each many times, the Colorado is a bucket list trip
Beautiful! (Even the scorpion, although scary.) Thank you.
Wow...My other home away from Montana...Northern Arizona...YES!
So beautiful Rick and Mary...Made my HEART smile real big...
How was the water level this year?
Thanks for this beautiful share.
Spectacular! Thanks for visually taking me along.
Hi Joy, I'm glad you took the time to come along and that you enjoyed the show. And commented.
I’m glad you enjoyed the trip down the river, Karen.
Ed &Judy, thanks again for commenting. I hope you raft the Colorado sooner than later. I worry about the river level (you raft between an upstream and downstream dam) as this drought continues and the silt level continues to increase in the last twenty or so miles before take-out.
Yes, Patricia, that scorpion is beautiful. Evidently there were many of them out and about at night but this is the only one that I saw. I'm glad I had the camera with me.
Hi Ramona. I glad the slideshow made your heart smile. We went in mid to late April and the water level was relatively low. The rapids were, I think, a bit calmer than the guides expected. In the last 25 miles as we approached Lake Mead, the water level was low enough and the silt level high enough that we ran aground a couple of times.
Beautiful photography in one of the world’s most spectacular places! Thank you so much for sharing.
Hi Judy, I'm glad you enjoyed the photography. I was pleased with how the photos from the trip turned out. Though I must admit, I typically delete about 3/4 of all the photos I take.