day 9, Tuesday, June 30 - rafting trip on the Colorado

Having an extra day in Moab since we made so many miles in the first week of the trip, we decided to do a rafting trip. They are reasonably priced

compared to some activities ($100/person approx, full day, incl lunch).

We were a bit worried about the rafting trip because the weather had been very windy the day before.  And it was predicted to be chilly (70s) rather than 80s.  But it turned out to be mild and warm.  The wind did pick up a few times, and we had to paddle against it, but in general it was perfect.

Arrived at 8:20 at Paddle Moab.  2 families and a couple.  We ended up with rafting guide Brendan in a blue boat with the older couple from Texas or maybe Arizona who are active mountain bikers.  We put in about 25 miles upriver from Moab. After a quick safety check, we started floating, sometimes paddling.  The boat was not large. See photos below.

We went through about 6 rapids prior to lunch and a total of about 9 miles.  The view was almost entirely unbroken expanses of walls 1,000 feet above us, towers of rock, mesas, and the ocassional ranch.

Words and even photos really don't do the views justice.  It can't be captured with any kind of camera.

Lunch was at a riverside winery/ranch.  Binh and I visited the winery after eating but since we were traveling by boat, we opted out of buying anything.  The grapes were all local according to the hostess.

Brendan turned out to be a serious rock-climber.  The "I've been on El Capitan in Yosemite" level - not your typical hobbyist.  He regaled us with tales of climbing the towers and walls we passed in the boat, giving us a view of the rock we'd never have otherwise.

The couple was only half day so there was just the Saltman/Nguyens in the boat for lunch and after.

After lunch I jumped off the boat for a swim in the Colorado during a flat stretch with no rapids, along with the guides. Daniel, Audrey and Binh wimped out. The best part of the swim for Steve was floating gracefully down the colorado river. The best part of the swim for everyone else was watching me hauled back in the raft like an old boot someone found at the end of their fishing rod - another "I wish we'd caught it on video" moment.