Friday we organized a float trip down the Colorado River. It would be the perfect way for people of all activity levels to take in the desert. I rented sixteen duckies (inflatable kayaks) and borrowed an eight man white water raft. We ate a quick breakfast at the lodge and headed down to the Big Bend boat ramp on the Colorado. The scenic drive along the La Sal Loop Road through Castleton Valley would set the tone for the day.
Castleton Tower from Above
And Below
At the boat ramp the duckies were waiting and people had already assembled. I got to the business of blowing up the raft. It took a lot of pumping, but Nick, Chad, Lee, and I made short work of it. Once everyone had boats and gear we assembled at the shoreline. Run off from a few days of torrential rains had turned the water from its normal brown to the color of vanilla mocha. The current was swift (for this section of the Colorado) so we would make good time.
Duckies
Blowing Up the Raft
Marion & Carol
Charlie, Andrew, & Eliza Blowing Up a Ducky
Nick & Patty
Still Pumping
Sean & Sally
Allan & Pat
Chad & Doug
Finally Inflated
Raft People
Jonny V, Jen, & Sean
Jo, Andrew, & John
The Group
Chris would guide the raft with Chris, Tessa, Chuck, and Ann paddling and Cherry, Pat, and Allan along for the ride. Everyone else was in either a single or two person ducky. There was one tiny rapid at the put in, after that the water was flat all the way to our take out at the pedestrian bridge. The weather was perfect and everyone enjoyed the lazy float down the most powerful river in America. Blue skies and red rock canyon walls towered above us with green shrubs and tan water below. When I moved out west my first experience on the Colorado was surreal, I hoped my friends and family were having a similar one. Although, I did occasionally interrupt that experience with a blast from a squirt gun I picked up at a yard sale the day before we left.
The Raft Off
The Tiny Rapid
Jo All Smiles
Eliza & Andrew
Lauren & James
Andrew
Nischom & Linda
Charlie
Lee & Amy
Jo & Alex
Adam & Kristie
Aly & Nicole
Chris Captaining the Raft
John & Tracee
Sean & Sally
Nick & Patty
Carol & Marion
Tree Growing from Rocks
We regrouped and stopped for lunch on a big rock near Negro Bill Canyon. Jo called out my Mom for eating half a sandwich and putting it back in the bag. Everyone laughed hysterically. Then everyone laughed again when my Mom brought it up in her wedding toast.
Lunch
Back on the river it was just a matter of time before someone found themselves in the river. I went in first. The water was cold, but felt good once your body adjusted. Andrew was next followed by Carol and Marion. I looked up and Chris had left his post as raft captain and was paddling away with my bride. I got on Andrew's boat and we caught him and my bride. The tom-foolery was contagious and soon everyone was going into the water. When Chris got back on the raft Andrew, Lee, and I had to work together to extract him. Chris is an expert at fending off our attacks, it was like trying to put a cat in the toilet!
Someone is Going In
At the boat ramp the dunkings continued until I accidentally tackled Jonny V. in shallow water and lost his sunglasses. I felt horrible, but luckily he was okay and we got straight on the glasses. Jean Paul showed up as we were waiting for the shuttle vehicles and helped us pack up the truck. The mission was a success and everybody made it safely down the river. It was time to rally back to the lodge for the rehearsal dinner.
Lee with a Bucket
Andrew Fight Back
Nischom Patiently Waiting for the Shuttle
