Day 13, Just floating along

The picture of Michael above sums up how last night went.  Note the full cup of coffee next to him in the sand.  Even with adversity of Sandnado, we were still smiling. That was so consistent throughout the trip.  No one slept more than a few hours at best, but in the morning there was no complaining, grouchiness, or rudeness.  Just a tired family sharing stories about another adventure we had all been through. 

Sometime early on the river that day Margeaux informed us that we were about to cross the Hurricane Fault .  Very appropriate for our experience in the area.  Today was a casual day.  Run a few rapids, make some miles toward the take out point.  26 miles this day of mostly paddling and floating.   Time to reflect on where we have been the past two weeks.  As was the norm in the morning, Tommy spent some time before getting on the boats sketching out in the sand where we were going, where we have been, and what to expect for the day.  Most days all hands are intent on listening.  On day 13 the atmosphere was more casual.  

After paddling a bit in the morning, we connected all the boats and Tommy played music for awhile, and Margeaux shared a reflection of life on the river.

  

Later in the day Margeaux shared here love for a mandatory safety device that is included on each of the rafts.

The pictures below show how the recent thunderstorms in the area have been transforming the clear, green Colorado river we experienced early in the trip to the historical brown, too thick to drink, too thin to plow river from pre-dam days.   

Compare to a picture from day 3

Along the way we stopped and looked at an interesting spot where there were cylindrical holes cut in rock, no one really knows how or why.  Roughly 6" in diameter.  I didn't get a picture of those rocks.  

One thing I noticed this day was I really started enjoying going through the rapids.  It wasn't that they were disappointing any other days, but I was really starting to appreciate the joy of splashing in, and getting splashed by, this water that came from so far way to be here, just like me.  

Shortly before getting to camp, Tommy offered up another opportunity for adventure.   Jump off a rock, swim a rapid, and swim into our camp.  I was tired and didn't want to do it.  But as we pulled the boats to shore to let off those willing to embrace the adventure, I motivated and psyched myself up to participate.  We climbed up on a rock maybe 10' above the water, Tommy explained we needed to stay on the left side of the rocks in the middle of the river, and when we cleared the rocks swim HARD to the far right side.  If we didn't make it, then the whole group would have to relocate down stream to a different camp.  Now the pressure was on. 

For some reason I still don't understand, once we jumped in we were supposed to swim hard to get into the rapid, and stay together.  Well, I was already tired, and keeping up with the 20 year olds was not possible, but I worked as hard as I could.  After clearing the rocks (you just have to guess, as you can't really see them in the river) now really swim hard to the shore.  Everyone in camp is at the upstream side of the camp beach, so they all slipped past early in my swim.  However, I didn't realize that everyone was so far upstream, and I began to really worry about missing the beach.  One would hope that adrenaline would kick in, but I didn't really have any at that point.  I just kept putting my head down and swimming.  Then I saw Margeaux on shore encouraging me.  I really needed that, as at this point I was getting light headed and wondered if a rescue might be in order.  One more time putting my head down and cranking out some strokes, and then I could touch bottom.  We all made it back, and the day continued on like many others.  Set up camp, dinner, music, etc.  

This would be the last hurrah for the disc.  As I got it out of the boat, I discovered several more cracks.  Put on tape, then play catch with Mike Jahn for 15 or so minutes.  Still flying reasonably well, but looks pretty tattered.  I'll hang onto this disc, but its throwing days are over.  

One last night of singing by the river after dinner as the sun set.  Thanks to Brian for reminding me that we also had celebration day 1 for Lise's birthday, which was the next day.  We got to celebrate with cake for dessert, and of course sing her happy birthday as well.  No spankings though.  

Maren sure loves singing!

Link to Day 14