The Grand Time

Tom's Journal

June 28, 2007 - Day 44

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With just nine miles left in the journey for six of the eight of us, I rowed with my partner Steve; we started at about 8:30 am.

Since my mind was on the upcoming transition of people and related logistics, I didn’t think much about the few rapids we were to encounter, a couple of which caught both of us by surprise.

All too soon however, we were within sight of the Diamond Creek boat ramp, which was a bee-hive of activity. The Rastas had wisely stopped in some shade on the left side several hundred yards above the ramp to await their turn to disembark.

We joined them and for the last time shared some laughs and for the first time some names. Along with trip leader Mark, the group included among others Arturo, Leonard, Tyson and Raven, whom despite having severely sprained or even broken his ankle two weeks earlier on this trip, was there until the “bitter end”.

When Gary signaled us, our turn came and we joined the hot, busy crowd on the ramp.

It is hard to describe the frenetic moments between the time we arrived at the ramp and the time we left, but there were some photos and goodbyes to Gary, Leslie, Mason, Spencer, Jim and Steve, who took with them Dave’s raft.

My kayaking friend Brian joined Loren and me, as did two groups Loren invited-one of three from Arizona, the other of four from New Mexico.

After spending way too much time in the blazing afternoon sun transferring gear into and out of the two remaining rafts, the ten of us shoved off. Brian was kayaking and Loren and I rowed.

I had been down this stretch only once before, on my first trip down the Grand Canyon twenty-one years ago; this was the first river trip of any kind for many of those in the two groups who joined us.

The New Mexico group of Heather, Lila, Sergio and Mariana rode with me while Loren’s raft carried Jeff, Jesse and Diana.

I was immediately taken by how much parts of this area resembled the inner gorge. For additional visual pleasure, Sergio spotted two condors.

We all were ready to camp when we arrived at Travertine Falls, less than five miles downstream. A small flow of water drops at least 60 feet. It is dispersed not unlike a shower flow, and you can imagine how good it felt after such a long time in the dust at Diamond Creek.

Just below our campsite a rapid created the muffled roar with which I had become so familiar. As night fell, I sat on the raft taking photos of it over and over, as if I could somehow stop this from being the last night of my trip that the river could be heard.

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Mile by Mile Photos

June 28, 2007 - Day 44
Mile 880 through Mile 893

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