By the long delay since my last update, you probably guessed I was not able to get the CD out with a hiker. It wasn’t for lack of trying as I ran to catch up with another group, some of whom who apparently were hiking all the way to the top.

I never caught up with them and ended up having to run back to the river so our group could continue, as we had only floated about a mile since our 7:50 am launch. As is typical in my world, it turned out no one from the other group went to the top anyway.

Even though the flash flood several years ago made some changes, Havasu Creek was beautiful as ever with its clear blue water flowing in pools, slides and waterfalls through lush greenery. Combined with the desert scenery and temperatures it was better than anything any theme park could provide.

In the time since we had arrived, many other rafts had appeared at this very popular attraction, so it was time for us to move on.

After rowing a raft since re-joining the trip five days earlier, Gary got his first chance to paddle a kayak and he and I enjoyed the passing scenery through mostly mellow rapids and long flat stretches for another seventeen miles.

We had reached the end of the inner gorge and the narrow, dark hard-rock canyon gave way to wider, sedimentary sandstone layers like those we saw early on our way through this, the final National Park on the journey.

The usual afternoon upstream wind came upon us and the last of our miles were slow, but we made our goal-a nice large camp on the river’s right side called Cove-by about 3:30.

The wind continued into the early evening but began to settle down about when we did.

It really is a treat in this extremely hot weather to have the option to sleep near the cool river water, better than air conditioning.