Everyone meets at 6:00 at the motel for some last minute instructions. We put our dry-bags and metal boxes in the bus storage compartment and get on. In about two hours, we reach Lee's Ferry, named for John Doyle Lee, and greet our crew of Carolyn, Bianca, and Jake. They give us some boat and life jacket instructions and then we climb aboard. After pulling away from the shore, we go through a round of introductions and then we're off downstream.
We soon float by the newer Navajo Bridge, completed in 1995, and the original bridge, built in 1929. It's hard to believe the ferry was used until that time.
Right away we hit some rough water in Badger Creek Rapids and Soap Creek Rapids. Everyone on the front half of the boat is drenched. I now see why they want you to wear fast drying clothing. We also practice a procedure called "Down and In" where we sit on the floor of the boat for added safety in rough rapids and to allow greater forward visibility for the boat driver. I am amazed with our crew's knowledge of the history and geology of the Canyon. We stop for lunch and everyone is impressed with how pragmatic each part of the raft is. Seat cushions come off and the bench top is used for a table top. The table legs unscrew and are kept in various compartments. After lunch we continue down the river stopping for the night around 4:00 at a small beach. Room on the beach is limited so we're going to be in close sleeping quarters.
Cleanliness is a top priority and everyone is required to use hand sanitizers before snacks on the boat and to wash your hands before eating on the shore. Prime rib is on the menu tonight. The efficiency of the crew in making meals is impressive. A four-pail washing and rinsing system is used to clean our plates and silverware. Since no rain is in the forecast, we forgo a tent and sleep out on the sand. MAIN INDEX | HIKING INDEX | BACK TO PREFACE | FORWARD TO DAY 2
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