Roger's Colorado River Trip

 Roger just returned from a week long Colorado River trip through the Grand Canyon.  Our oldest son, Evan is a guide with Western Rivers Expeditions and asked Roger along on his next to last trip of the season when an open slot came up.  We had gone on one such trip about 4-5 years ago and while I loved doing it and being there with our sons (both Evan and Jason guided that trip) I was quite happy to NOT be invited to go along.  A once in a life time trip is just that:  ONCE in a life time. 

I remember asking Roger as he stepped out the door if he had taken his camera.  He assured me that he had, but while I came back with, oh, 800 shots (Kim and Alan stop laughing) Roger returned with 20.  Lucky for him they were they were great and certainly told the story.

This is our son Evan who has been a guide for Western Rivers for over 15 years now and serves as the lead guide on the normal two boat trips.  His knowledge of the Grand Canyon is quit extensive and he has hiked most of the side canyons leading up from the bottom.

 His first hike was when he turned 12 years old and we had just returned to Utah after 10 years of wandering the U.S. following Roger's career.  Roger and he hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon -

and BACK up.  I think his love for adventure and all things outdoors started with that trip.

The boatman have a large metal container for personal items on each boat.  Evan calls it his office and proudly displays the Law Degree that was awarded from the University of Utah a couple of years ago.  He passed the Utah bar on his first try and we are ever so grateful that he has something to fall back on if the river ever dries up.

You'll notice the water is brown, much different that what is advertised on river trip brochures.  Whenever there is rain, flooding will occur in the side canyons bringing down the dark red sand and soil to add to the Colorado.

There are no luxury accommodations on these trips but everyone is provided with a tent, which you put up on your own, and a sleeping bag.  Then you just need to watch out for the bats, rattlesnakes, fire ants, and  scorpions.

What you don't see in these photos are the world class rapids that make a grand canyon trip so worth while.  You also get guided hikes to some of the most amazing ruins and waterfalls around.

 

The one thing you don't have to worry about is food.  The guides cook (as well as clean up) and the food is good and plentiful.  No one dies from hunger on these trips, that's for sure.  Beer and wine are on your own so the local quickie Mart does a brisk business before the start of the trip.

The Grand Canyon continues to be one of our family's favorite places to visit and explore.  It is a special place that binds us tightly to the mountains and canyons of the western U.S.