Two Weeks in the Depths of the Grand Canyon

I got to experience the Grand Canyon in all its glory on a two-week 226-mile river rafting trip down the Colorado River. There were 25 of us in all - six guides, one assistant, and 18 clients. It was amazing and challenging (emotionally and physically) and absolutely worth the effort. The river was serene until it turned into big rapids. The canyon history and geology are fascinating and make our time in space seem so small. And the weather was HOT. At times it reached 120 degrees, but the river was always at the ready to cool us off, even if that meant floating down the river wearing a shirt that had been dipped in the water or sleeping under a wet sarong every night. It's difficult to photograph rapids while in them so unfortunately no good rapid pics, but here are some (aka A LOT) of other pictures from the trip. 

{All 25 of us on our last night}

{Our six incredible women guides (Melissa, Jayne, Gibby, Marieke, Tracy & Inga) and one riot of an assistant (Harry, Jayne's nephew)}

{July 5 - Day 1}

{Day 1 Camp - Hot Na Na}

{July 6 - Day 2}

{Silver Grotto hike}

{Day 2 Camp - Silver Grotto}

{July 7 - Day 3}

{Approaching Red Wall Cavern - looks pretty small...}

{...but it's actually huge}

{Buck Farm Canyon Hike}

{Day 3 Camp - Buck Farm Canyon}

{Steve & Vicky's 50th Wedding Anniversary!}

{July 8 - Day 4}

{Saddle Canyon Hike}

{Granaries Hike}

{View from the Nankoweap granaries}

{Day 4 Camp}

{July 9 - Day 5}

{Wore our life jackets like diapers to protect our behinds as we swam and floated the Little Colorado River}

{Day 5 Camp - Morning Star Mine}

{July 10 - Day 6 - Shed skins of cicadas from their overnight molting}

{Day 6 Camp - 91 Mile Creek}

{Burlap bags that held each person's drinks}

{July 11 - Day 7}

{Scouting a rapid, Crystal I think}

{Day 7 Camp - Lower Garnet}

{July 12 - Day 8 - Not a bad morning view}

{Elves Chasm Hike}

{Blacktail Canyon}

{Day 8 Camp - Stone Creek}

{Showered in a waterfall up Stone Creek}

{July 13 - Day 9 - Deer Creek Hike}

{1st Deer Creek stop - The Patio}

{2nd Deer Creek stop - Dutton Springs}

{"Throne Room" at Dutton Springs - large pieces of rock have been placed to make "thrones"}

{Day 9 Camp - Football Field}

{July 14 - Day 10 - Kanab Creek Hike}

{Day 10 Camp - Before Olo}

{July 15 - Day 11 - Havasu Creek}

{Day 11 Camp}

{July 16 - Day 12}

{Lunch & nap at "the ledges"}

{Day 12 Camp}

{July 17 - Day 13}

{Day 13 Camp - Granite Springs Canyon}

{July 18 - Day 14 - Last Morning}

{Made an ice cream stop off Route 66 after derigging the boats}

{Glad to be home, but I'll miss this crazy crew!}