Great Western Adventure: Rafting in the Grand Canyon! July 12, 2016

In a trip with many amazing days, this was one of the highlights!

Starting in Peach Springs, along Route 66 in the Hualapai Nation, we took a bus along a bumpy road to the launching area along the river.  ​

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To paraphrase Dr Seuss, "No, James, no, do not sit on that!"

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We had our own boat, with Andre, our guide, who took us through rapids that ranged from class 3 to class 6 (I think the Colorado has its own scale, that goes to 10).  We got soaked!  James kept yelling, “Watch it!  Watch it!”  After a little while, we stopped to hike to a waterfall, which was very secluded and pretty.  There were ropes and rope ladders to help visitors climb to it and the twins did pretty well.  Of course, my squirrel child Daniel had no trouble!  ​ ​We got back on the river and pulled over to a sandy cove to eat lunch.

At one point after lunch, Andre tried to start the motor and had trouble.  He kept pulling on the cord (and James kept saying, “It’s broken!”) until one time he pulled so hard the cord broke and he went toppling into the river!  He said that had never happened before.  Fortunately, there was a spare motor on another boat and they were able to swap ours.  We continued with smooth, relaxing waters with gorgeous scenery and blue blue skies until the end of the trip.  Tom really liked it and it was so great to get so many pictures of him smiling!  (He is a happy kid, but doesn't pose very well for photos.)  

Taking a helicopter out of the Grand Canyon was exciting!  It was a short trip, but had a couple of bumps and dips that made it interesting.  At the top, we were driven over to the West Rim, where Bill, Daniel & I went on the Sky Walk, a glass horseshoe that reaches over the Canyon.  It’s a long way down!  You aren’t allowed to bring your own camera, so we did some silly poses with the professional photographer. ​

We took a couple of pictures by Eagle Point (can you see the eagle behind me in the rocks?) before getting on the bus for a long ride back to Peach Springs.  We concluded the day by driving to Palm Springs, another 4 hours or so, and collapsed at Bill’s house in Rancho Mirage.  Everyone agreed that this was a wonderful day!  I would highly recommend this adventure and want to thank Sandy Fimiano again for suggesting it!

July 6 - 8 Nevada - Las Vegas & Hoover Dam
July 8 - 9, Utah - Zion & Bryce National Parks
July 10, Arizona - Antelope, Horseshoe Bend, Little Colorado
July 10, Grand Canyon Desert View & Sunset
July 11, Grand Canyon South Rim & Bright Angel Trail
July 12, Rafting in the Grand Canyon & Helicopter Ride
July 13, Palm Springs & Pee Wee
July 14 - 17, Los Angeles
July 19, Yosemite
July 20 - 22, San Francisco