Adventure of a Lifetime Part One

"We are now ready to start our

way down the Great Unknown.

The Canyon, at the very

introduction inspires awe."

John Wesley Powell, 1869

On September 9, 2001, Eeyore and I embarked on the adventure of a lifetime. We met and joined a company of extraordinary people for a thirteen day rafting trip down the Colorado River, at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.


This is our group taken down river after a good deal of bonding had taken place. I don't remember which falls this is. I think it must be Deer Creek Falls. If I'm wrong, anyone out there, don't hesitate to correct me. I am the one on the far right in the green hat. E. is the one in the red shirt with the cute chick's arm around him. As you see we're among the oldest members of the group. Regrettably, these pix were not digital, in fact some were taken with one of those disposable waterproof cameras, but you can stillclick to enlarge them a bit.

We embarked on our 215 mile journey from Lee's Ferry on September tenth.
This stretch of river is a clear, emerald green and icy cold as it has been released from the depths of Lake Powell at Glen Canyon Dam. Our quiet, competent river guides ferried us downstream, the only sound the slip of oars through water as we each became lost to anything but contemplation of the powerful river and the sheer canyon walls rising on either side.

I remained in this trancelike state until our first whitewater at Badger Rapids, woke me right up!

Exhilarated, sopping wet and chilled to the bone, we struggled ashore to make our first camp. Later, dry and very well fed, we fell asleep among he willows,

listening as the river played a mighty song against the worn rocks of Badger Rapids.

We woke to a day that will live in infamy. But, of course, we didn't know it then..