The Grand Time

Tom's Journal

May 27, 2007 - Day 12

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Boy, what lengths some people will go to in order to have a party!

After yesterday’s successful day in Westwater Canyon, I said good bye to most of the group and headed for Grand Junction where brother Dan and wife Joan hosted a party complete with a miniature kayaker on a Birthday cake.

There were between thirty and forty friends and relatives there, some of whom I hadn’t seen in a long time. A grand time was had by all, especially me-thanks Dan and Joan!

With the largest contingency yet of fourteen including Kathy, Alex, Joey, Kyle, Dave, Derek, Thatcher, Greg, Holly, Carl, Alley, Stephanie, and Tamara, we waved good bye today at 10:30 am to Marilyn, Torrie, Ruthie and Doug. Since she could not join us in the rafts, Marilyn had the bright idea of having a photo taken with me as we dipped our toes in the water. She said she wanted a picture of her with me “on the Colorado River”.

The water was slow and our two oar rafts, one paddle raft and one inflatable kayak had to contend with the ubiquitous upstream wind in the afternoon. If you know your geography, you know that we are now in Utah. But, at a time like this, do you know in what county? You guessed it-Grand County!

We made it fourteen miles to historic Dewey Bridge by 3 pm, where the river enters a gorgeous area known as Professor Valley because of large rock formation resembling a professor lecturing a few students. The current speeds up noticeably in this section, which was a welcome change.

After a couple miles, we were able to see brilliantly colored vistas of the deep red Fisher Towers and the snow-capped La Salle mountains. By just after 5pm we stopped for the night at Hittle Bottom, a well-maintained public camping area which also is very popular with local rafting companies as a put-in point.

The weather was perfect for what we did-sunbathing and enjoying the rhythm of the river and scenery beyond compare. Of course a few jokes were shared as well, most of which could eventually be traced to Joe M. Lacy.

Even though there was virtually no white water on this section, everyone enjoyed themselves, the weather and each other. Seems like not only the fun, but the types of fun to be had here, are endless.

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Mile by Mile Photos

May 27, 2007 - Day 12
Mile 329 through Mile 352

May 16 2007 - Day 1May 17 2007 - Day 2May 18 2007 - Day 3May 19 2007 - Day 4May 20 2007 - Day 5May 21 2007 - Day 6May 22 2007 - Day 7May 23 2007 - Day 8May 24 2007 - Day 9May 25 2007 - Day 10May 26 2007 - Day 11May 27, 2007 - Day 12May 28, 2007 - Day 13May 29, 2007 - Day 14May 30, 2007 - Day 15May 31, 2007 - Day 16June 1, 2007 - Day 17June 2 - 11, Day 18 - 27June 12, 2007 - Day 28June 13, 2007 - Day 29June 14, 2007 - Day 30June 15, 2007 - Day 31June 16, 2007 - Day 32June 17, 2007 - Day 33June 18, 2007 - Day 34June 19, 2007 - Day 35June 20, 2007 - Day 36June 21, 2007 - Day 37June 22, 2007 - Day 38June 23, 2007 - Day 39June 24, 2007 - Day 40June 25, 2007 - Day 41June 26, 2007 - Day 42June 27, 2007 - Day 43June 28, 2007 - Day 44June 29 2007 - Day 45June 30, 2007 - Day 46July 1 - 13, Day 47 - 58July 15, 2007 - Day 59
The last day; The river’s end