Breakfast this morning is Mexican scrambled eggs and Canadian bacon.  Our first stop today is Havasu Creek at mile 157.  Carolyn displays more of her great driving skills by taking our big boat through Havasu Rapids backwards so we are positioned correctly to dock by some rock ledges at the side.  That allows the smaller boats and rafts to park in Havasu Creek itself.  Normally, this place is packed solid with other rafts and boats, but today we have the place to ourselves. 

Docked by some ledges 5-2-2012 @ 10:11	Hiking up to the creek 5-2-1012 @ 10:19

Havasu Creek 5-2-2012 @ 10:23	Ocotillo 5-2-2012 @ 10:27	Havasu Creek 5-2-2012 @ 10:30

     After walking upstream a little ways, several in the group wade across the creek and do a day hike on the other side.  My daughter and I hiked down to Havasu Canyon several years ago and saw the Village of Supai, Havasu Falls, Navajo Falls, Mooney Falls, and Beaver Falls, but did not hike the final three miles to the Colorado River.  It's nice to get to see this area again coming up from the river.  The water in Havasu Creek has that same beautiful blue-green color we saw on day two at the Little Colorado River.

Tim in Havasu Creek 5-2-2012 @ 10:35	Wading across the creek 5-2-2012 @ 10:36

Carolyn in the creek 5-2-2012 @ 10:40	Havasu Creek 5-2-2012 @ 10:41	Laurie in the Creek 5-2-2012 @ 11:08

     Everyone hikes back to the boat, we load up, and then proceed downstream to mile 158 where lunch is served.  Today's food is tuna salad.

Lunch is served 5-2-2012 @ 12:42	The lunch crowd 5-2-2012 @ 12:42

     This afternoon we spot an Osprey flying above us.  In short order, he appears with a fish in his grasp.  He has the fish positioned with its head pointed forward to make it have the least amount of aerodynamic drag.  We also see numerous Bighorn Sheep and deer on the shore.  At mile 178 we come to a large remnant of volcanic rock in the water called Vulcan's Anvil.

Bighorn Sheep 5-2-2012 @ 3:53	Vulcan's Anvil 5-2-2012 @ 4:09	Bighorn Sheep 5-2-2012 @ 4:10

     Amity makes a great run through Lava Rapids near mile 180, one of the toughest in the Canyon.  This area of the Canyon is starting to display more and more volcanic rock.  Many of the walls display formations that have been subjected to tremendous bending forces.

Oar rafters 5-2-2012 @ 4:11	Volcanic rock 5-2-2012 @ 4:52	Volcanic rock 5-2-2012 @ 4:52

     We stop for the night at Chock Stone Camp, mile 183.  Many in the group congregate on the beach to discuss the day's activities.

Party Beach 5-2-2012 @ 6:33	Party Beach 5-2-2012 @ 6:34

     I have snagged a great little campsite surrounded by bushes.

	Richard's camp spot 5-2-2012 @ 6:48

     Our toilet facilities are called "The Duke," named for John Wayne after he did a raft trip with Canyoneers many years ago.  Tonight our crew places the Duke in a scenic location next to some volcanic rock with very striking formations.

An interesting Duke location 5-2-2012 @ 6:53	An interesting Duke location 5-2-2012 @ 6:53

     Supper tonight is rib eye steak, corn, beans, and German chocolate cake.  The crew presents Traci with a special surprise birthday cake, burning candles and all.  

	Carolyn working on dinner 5-2-2012 @ 6:54

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