This last day I would ride with Stefanie. We chatted a bit about not getting to play cribbage just the two of us, she was the only one who was ever interested in this during the trip. After paddling a bit, we connected all up again for another time of song and reading.
Another beautiful day on the river, our last.
No stops along the river this morning until the takeout at diamond creek. Its namesake, Diamond peak is in the distance. The top of Diamond peak is roughly the elevation which we started our trip, 225 miles and two weeks ago. 
We were told in the morning that the takeout may be interesting due to the recent rains in the area. Sure enough, the road down to the river was washed out, and being worked on by the native. It seemed like every couple minutes our fate was changing, hike to the bus, continue down the river, or ? Stefanie and I took the opportunity to get in that 2 person cribbage game. We must have finished in less than 30 minutes, we were both playing fast to try to beat the decision that would come down.
Finally, the decision was we would hike about a mile up the road to the bus. It was still unclear if the truck that would take all the trip's gear would be able to make it down to the river that day. We were advised if we wanted our gear before tomorrow afternoon, we should carry it to the bus. Once we got all our stuff off we went slogging up a gravel road that was half creek. The group was pretty spread out. After awhile, I looked back and saw a bus parked on the road, and folks from our group getting in. One of the busses from the reservation was headed back up the hill, and offering rides to us! I gladly got on, and after a minute or so we caught up to the next group. Eventually we caught the front group, Susan and Lise. The didn't want to get on, but after some cajoling they did. As soon as Lise got on, another round of Happy Birthday song was in order. The bus went around a curve, and there was our bus, about another 100 yards up the road. We said our good byes to the crew, as they needed to go back to the river and break down the boats, and pack up. Would we see them again?
Once we got on that bus, the ride back to Flagstaff was uneventful, save a stop in Seligman for lunch and treats at the store. Blackberry shake, oh my!!
Once we got on that bus, the ride back to Flagstaff was uneventful, save a stop in Seligman for lunch and treats at the store. Blackberry shake, oh my!!
That evening we got together at the hotel for pizza (Thanks Mike!!) and the crew was able to make it just in time for dinner. That's the way they roll. It was a great evening, 23 of 25 folks on the trip were able to make the post trip gathering. We should have gotten a group picture then (it never happened).
August 9, 11:30 am. Mark and I are coming to the end of our Sunday bike ride near his house. Who should we run into walking her dogs, but Lise. As we were chatting I mentioned that 4 weeks ago at this time, we would have been just starting our adventure on the river. This brought a tear to Lise's eye. Both Mark and Lise have been crazy busy since returning. I'm hoping everyone is adjusting to life off the river. I hope this blog helps you to return to the moment, when time and what day it was didn't matter.
I had the pleasure of reviewing Brian Jahn's journal, and wanted to quote part of his last page, as I think it summed up the trip well.
Thanks to all of the guides and aids for all of the long hours, expertise, up-beat attitudes, support, assistance, encouragement, patience, and tolerance that it took to safely and enjoyably shepherd a bunch of previously un-affiliated tourists down one of the best stretches of earth, water, and sky on the planet. We started out as a group of strangers, and finished as friends with a great shared adventure.
Link to River Resources
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