The GGCE- Day 6
Our last full day on the river. Riley, Jake and Trevor tell us this will be the day for the really big rapids at Lava Falls. I am a bit scared to be honest. Some of the previous big rapids knocked me off my seat and I hung on with all my strength. Another good breakfast. French toast, with strawberries to top it off and fresh fruit. All of our meals have been made with fresh, healthy ingredients. I have been very pleased. Break down camp and off we go. There were several areas of calmer water as we rafted through the narrow canyon walls. More interesting hanging gardens.
Some of the rapids have interesting names. Some are named after people that have perished, others are names according to problems it has caused such as "Upset Rapids". Many boats and rafts had capsized in this rapid. We were happy to get through it. There is a reason it got it's name. It was a doozy! We voted to stop at National Canyon, mile 167 for a hike and lunch. Sarah (fellow passenger) and I walked back a bit to get into the shade while lunch was being set-up. We were talking and we noticed a couple walking out of the canyon entrance- naked! It was the nudist group again. They started walk toward us then suddenly stopped and said, "Oh, I thought you were part of our group". How they made that mistake is beyond me since we were fully clothed. As they are walking away, after giving them directions toward their group, the women turns around and say, "We are part of a nudist trip". Too funny. After lunch, we hiked into the canyon.
At the end of the canyon was a waterfall, a deep pool and an area you could climb to get above the fall that held water. Another great spot to cool off.
There were several small pools in the canyon filled with alage and tadpoles. There were some wildflowers as well. Found a large rock that had at least 13 different layers. I had no idea there were so many different types of rocks in the canyon.
More sheep and a big ram as we traveled along. We passed a huge lava rock in the middle of the river. It is sacred was used as a rite of passage by early humans. The walls are showing more lava rock and interesting formations.
A few more sets of rapids and the we reached the bad ass of rapids- Lava Falls at mile 180. We pulled over to get out and "scout" the rapids. We had a hot hike to the look-out point. The water was moving very fast and the noise level was high. We were told that the waves we were watching were easily 15 feet high. Now I am getting more nervous.
We were in Jake's raft today and Kerrick- a professional photographer was going to video Riley's raft going through first. Then it was our turn. I found my hand-holds and held on tight. Marty chose to sit in the front which also made me nervous. We started and immediately got splashed hard, then another huge wave came up and over the raft. It lifted me out of my seat, then back down and another even bigger one came down on us. Soaked, but releived we made it through and nobody fell out.
A short trip down the river to our last camp- The Upper 185. Steak, mashed potatoes, salad and dutch oven cake for dinner. After dinner, a few more stories were read and we were all presented with River Rat pins. Only those that survive Lava Falls can wear the pin. Another fun evening with new friends. The week has gone by quickly. Tomorrow we have a smooth raft to our exit point.
Our last full day on the river. Riley, Jake and Trevor tell us this will be the day for the really big rapids at Lava Falls. I am a bit scared to be honest. Some of the previous big rapids knocked me off my seat and I hung on with all my strength. Another good breakfast. French toast, with strawberries to top it off and fresh fruit. All of our meals have been made with fresh, healthy ingredients. I have been very pleased. Break down camp and off we go. There were several areas of calmer water as we rafted through the narrow canyon walls. More interesting hanging gardens.
There were several small pools in the canyon filled with alage and tadpoles. There were some wildflowers as well. Found a large rock that had at least 13 different layers. I had no idea there were so many different types of rocks in the canyon.
A few more sets of rapids and the we reached the bad ass of rapids- Lava Falls at mile 180. We pulled over to get out and "scout" the rapids. We had a hot hike to the look-out point. The water was moving very fast and the noise level was high. We were told that the waves we were watching were easily 15 feet high. Now I am getting more nervous.
We were in Jake's raft today and Kerrick- a professional photographer was going to video Riley's raft going through first. Then it was our turn. I found my hand-holds and held on tight. Marty chose to sit in the front which also made me nervous. We started and immediately got splashed hard, then another huge wave came up and over the raft. It lifted me out of my seat, then back down and another even bigger one came down on us. Soaked, but releived we made it through and nobody fell out.
A short trip down the river to our last camp- The Upper 185. Steak, mashed potatoes, salad and dutch oven cake for dinner. After dinner, a few more stories were read and we were all presented with River Rat pins. Only those that survive Lava Falls can wear the pin. Another fun evening with new friends. The week has gone by quickly. Tomorrow we have a smooth raft to our exit point.
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