Grand Canyon Float - July 13 - 24, 2002
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Starting out on Day 1:
We put in at Lee's Ferry 15 miles
downstream from the Glen Canyon
dam. The Colorado River has cut
through the Kaibab limestone plateau, which is about 250,000 years old.

 On Day 2 the Redwall Limestone appeared and we had a great ride through the Roaring 20s, a series of spectacular rapids. I got very cold because the sun didn't reach us until late morning and we were wet all the time.

Kaibab Redwall Limestone Roaring 20s

On Day 3 we took a hike up Saddle Canyon and I got a different perspective. Muave limestone and Bright Angel shale layers appeared. You can see the colors of the Bright Angel shale below the sheer Muav wall in the center photo below. The highlight of Day 4 was the Little Colorado River, which was warm and beautiful, milky blue. We had a good time floating down the rapids. The Tapeats Limestone layer first appeared, a flakey layer that produces beautiful side canyons. Just downstream from the Little Colorado River mouth we saw salt crystals leached out this ancient sea.

Saddle Canyon Muav - Bright Angel Shale Little Colorado River

Our hike up Red Canyon was full of wonderful swirly, femine images. Day 5 was the last for those  hiking out, so we had to say good-bye to the wonderful Stohler family and Lou, Marty, Karen, Kathleen, Marina, and Kevin.
 We began Day 6 singing "Happy Trails" to those hiking out and greeting those who hiked in. They were thrown right into it because we had several very big rapids, including Hermit. The photo on the right shows Jayne's boat in the fifth wave of Hermit. Donna is in the red lifejacket, front left of the boat and I'm on the front right, holding on tight!

Red Canyon nose Red Canyon - nap Stohler Family Hermit Rapids

We were in Charly's boat on Day 7 - I was in the back trying to get the perfect wave photo. There were beautiful clouds to enhance the beautiful views. The left photo is the layered Tapeats limestone. We began Day 8 with a hike to a waterfall up Blacktail Canyon where there was a dance performance. That night in camp we had a spectacular sunset.

Tapeats Clouds Dance Performance Blacktail Canyon Sunset 2
The highlight of Day 9 was the hike up Deer Creek Canyon to the waterfalls. The rock was Tapeats limestone, which erodes in beautiful swirly forms. I had a great time in the all women's paddleboat guided by Jayne. The hike to the amphitheater in Matkatamiba Canyon on Day 10 was great for my penny whistle. I even accompanied a surprise - one guide from another group asked another of their guides to marry him. That night was the most spectacular thunderstorm, complete with a rainbow.

Waterfall Swirly Penny Whistle Rainbow
Day 11 I was in the paddleboat again when Rob left the boat and I took over as captain. Soon a motorized raft came along and gave us a tow. Most of the group took a 7-mile hike up Havasu Creek, but I hung out on a ledge above the creek and read - a lovely day!
 Day 12 was a big day because we had the biggest rapid of all - Lava Falls, rated 10+ on a 1-point system. After Lava Falls was some flat water, so I got in the duckie for a little bit.

Motorboat Tow Havasu Creek Nap 3 Lava Falls Reflection

Our last full day we were in Charly's boat and I asked to row. It was fun, but very hard work! We camped that night about just upstream from Diamond Creek. The next morning we had a silent float the last three miles - another great idea. We were on Jayne's boat, who always had a thermos of hot water for tea. The only photo I have of that last morning is one Donna took of me sipping tea in silence - a wonderful end to the trip of a lifetime!

Rowing Donna in front of Diamond Peak Lower Graoup Sipping Tea

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