This is a day I have waited on the Grand Canyon permit list for more than fourteen years; only time will tell if it has been worth the wait.

The fluctuation in the river’s flow-in this instance from high to low water-left our three fully loaded rafts “high and dry” in the mud. If not for the kindness of fifteen very nice folks in another private party who helped us push them into the water, we would have had to unload them, move them and reload them.

After orientation and equipment safety check with Ranger Paul, we shoved off at 12:30 pm.

Major Powell named this gorgeous area-with its thousand foot high shimmering walls-Marble Canyon, but it is actually predominantly limestone.

The clarity of the water made the white water easier to read than the muddy flows I encountered earlier in the trip, especially in Cataract Canyon. But feeling insignificant in our kayaks, Al and I were surprised at how large and powerful the crashing waves were.

For two of our three oars”persons”, Dave and Peggy, this was new territory. They and Loren all did a fine job.

After passing under the Navajo Bridge, we made our way through Badger Creek and Soap Creek rapids. The only item lost was a shade umbrella.

After 12 miles, we made camp on the river’s left side at about 6pm. The mood was celebratory as we marveled at the way the day’s last light created all shades of color on an infinite number of rock surfaces far, far above us.