Into Gray Canyon, Day 3
Breakfast was a big hit today: eggs cooked to order, bacon, hash browns, bagels. Thank goodness everyone likes the food.
The day's routine starts...View image...break down camp, "fire line" to load everything on the rafts, sunscreen, repellent and we are on the River.
Some big Class III rapids immediately and so much fun. Our kids would have loved III-IV rapids, but, who knew that they would enjoy it so much. It is very, very hot today. Lots of swimming to stay cool...View image...more kayaking...guides told lots of stories about Butch Cassidy and other outlaws, and we played word games.
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Another lunch on a beach. Guides made chicken wraps with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, avacado, etc. Always cookies and chips - and snacks on the rafts every day. Goldfish, granola bars, candy bars, popsicles, trail mix and fruit. There was always enough to eat.
Mike came up with a "mud bath" idea after lunch. You can see that they all thought this was a great idea! And Nick evolved into our personal "Mud Monster"....View image
It was an extremely long day on the river and everyone was burnt out (in more ways than one) by the time we made camp at 6:30 pm. Understandably CRANKY! But tonight we are supposed to have a Toga Party with everyone wearing their "togas" (sheets) to dinner and a "talent/no talent" show after dinner. This is our last night on the river.
After erecting, unpacking and changing, the kids have a new burst of energy and prepare to "toga." I'm doing all I can just to stay upright on my feet and everyone is sunburned to the max.
While waiting for dinner, Zach/Josh/Jenna heard a rattler. Not surprising since we are camping in Rattlesnake Canyon! Matt grabs a pair of kitchen tongs and goes off to catch it. The snake disappeared and Matt returned to his barbeque duties. Ten minutes later, another rattlesnake sighting. Matt heads to the bushes and again comes back empty-handed. He had seen a frog and said..."The rattler was trying to catch it for dinner, and after he eats the frog, he'll have a full tummy and leave everyone alone." This did nothing to reassure me, and no way was I going to step foot out of my tent until morning!
Very yummy dinner with steak, vegetables, ice cream and bananas foster.
We've now added beetles and ants to the bug situation, but there is no room for more bites on our bodies. The entire group of rafters are too pooped to put on a show...bedtime....and it's warm tonight with a big full moon...
