Today would be the day the disc began to die. While playing catch with Mike Jahn out on the sand bar behind Katie, the disc hit the sand and Mike noticed a few cracks. Likley what happened is the heat and the disc being jammed into my dry bag each day caused the cracks. Chris offered some athletic tape, and we were back in business. The disc looked much better than the picture below, as this was only round 1 of tape. And for whatever reason (likely more care in application), the tape stuck really well.
Life went on, and the disc still served its multiple purposes.
We traveled a couple miles down the river and visited Blacktail Canyon. We went a short way in, and just had some quiet time, about an hour. Susan and I both decided to read our Kindles. I got through 1 chapter before I dozed off, Susan's experience was similar.
Back out on the river, the fire was very noticeable. Earlier in the day we watched helicopters descending into and ascending from the canyon, do doubt picking up water to douse the fire.
The afternoon had a few more really fun rapids in store for us, Spectre, Bedrock and Deubendorff. Bedrock sent a wall of water into the boat from the right side, everyone got some. Today was a day with Stefanie at the helm of the boat. I was sitting just in front of her on the left. She told us the strategy as we approached Deubendorff. Coming in from the center, as we approached the rapid we would swing hard across the river to the right to avoid Table Rock. You didn't want to go off Table Rock, as there was a big hole behind it. Well, as far as I know, we followed directions, but before I knew it we were dropping some number of feet off of Table Rock, with me at the point of impact. The boat was full of water, but I guess our momentum kept us going and we left the hole and finished the rapid. Stefanie likes to laugh during exciting rapids, and Deubendorff was no exception. She shared with us after that was the second time she tried that line, and the second time the boat when over Table Rock. I'm thinking she may be coming up with a different strategy for the next trip.
A few more rapids, and we pulled into camp for the day, right across the river from a waterfall at Deer Creek.
Deer Creek, and its path through the rocks along "the Patio", is a must see. Most of us paddled across the river, except Mike Jahn swam across. Its a strenuous 20 minute hike up to the water level, but the scenery is, well, more rocks and water.
We hiked back down, and enjoyed the wind and spray at the bottom of the waterfall.
The conclusion is that the trip is half full. Day 8 ended at mile 137. Lots of adventure still ahead.
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