A beautiful day for a drive

I headed to Crested Butte today to pick up my traveling man.  It was a beautiful sunny day, the first after the snow so there were still lots of snow glistening on the trees.  Kebler Pass was snow packed and slick so slow going which made for more time to take in the scenery.

Fun time in the Butte for Halloween.  We threw together some costumes, more like just outrageous outfits and hit LoBar for sushi and Crack Fries,  then on to the Timberline, the Wine Bar, and Kacheever's.

This Is It

This Is It isn't it.  (How clever am I?)

I wanted to see it because, although I never considered myself a Michael Jackson fan, I did grow up with his music and  certainly enjoyed a lot of it.

The movie spoke to that nostalgia in that did make me want to listen to Michael's old standards and see some of the old videos.  It was interesting to see the process behind putting together a concert extravaganza.

But it was too long, Michael's voice was too ragged, and the cinematography too obviously not intended for a full length major motion picture.

To my mind, the execs at Sony Pictures are delusional if they think it's Oscar worthy.

But what do I know?

Waiting for a phone call

If I've done the math correctly, Steve's supposed to have taken off the river today.  A 21 day trip that starts on the 9th ends on the 29th, right?

So, today would have entailed getting up, breaking down camp for the last time, rigging the boats, floating 5 or so miles, derigging the boats, shuttling 22 miles on a dirt road to Peach Springs and then shuttling an additional 2 hours to Flagstaff.

Hmmmm.

June 20, 2005

Last river journal entry (at least for the Grand.  We're not even going to talk about the Middle Finger, I mean, Middle Fork):

Monday, June 20, 2005

Camping at Rm 6255, Thunderbird Lodge, South Rim. 

Wasn't sure we were going to get here.  This morning went smoothly.  When Steve and I got up at 5:36 am, almost everyone else was already up.  We got rigged and on the water early.  It reminded both Steve and me of all those early morning floats on our last trip.  It was very nice.  We saw a bunch of wildlife because we were out so early.

The whole derigging/shuttle process went well although it was ghastly hot.  We headed out of Peach Springs at ~1 pm.  We stopped in Seligman at Delgadillo's Snow Cap and Steve got a shave and haircut from Angel.  The food at the Snow Cap really is not very good but it's such an institution we have to stop.

Heading into Williams, the discharge battery light went on.  Turns out the alternator is shot.  Hung around Williams for a couple of hours, figuring that out and charging the battery while we watched a building in the historic district burn.  Right next to the Red Garter Bed and Bakery.

Finally made it to the South Rim at about 7 pm.  We had an awesome dinner at the El Tovar.  Preston from New Mexico took great care of us.

We have to go back to Williams tomorrow am to get the alternator replaced.  Don't know when we'll get back to Aspen.

May 2, 2001 and June 19, 2005

More river journal (almost done!):

Wednesday, May 2, 2001

Last night.  Mixed emotions.  Sad for it to be over but a little anxious for a shower.

Camping at 220 tonight.  Nice camp but terrifically windy tonight.  Good day.  Cloudy and cool with a strong tail wind.  We made 18 miles in less than 4 hours, then had a long afternoon to relax and hike.  Although my feet are still tender, I hiked up the 220 canyon and even climbed a dry waterfall.  Beautiful polished conglomerate.

Rapids today wree good.  205 and 217 had large haystacks so they were roller coaster rides.  Steve had good lines in all three rapids today.  We did see an overturned raft just after 209.

Last night we camped at 202.  Big camp but a slightly rough eddy. The float yesterday was the best, long and hot but really relaxed.  Savoring the canyon.

Stopped on my hike today and did some of the same.  Sat and watched and listened.  No aircraft noise, no river sounds, just the breeze, birds, lizards and insects.  Really special.

Sunday, June 19, 2005

Camping at Upper 220.

Good and bad day today.  Maybe that's to be expected on the last day of an 18 day river trip.  I'm blaming the alcohol but I do see that as the cause of most evils.

We did ok this morning but, after lunch, it got windy.  Steve worked unnecessarily hard to get in front of everyone in a ghastly wind only to be told that we were pulling in at Three Springs.  (Phil wanted to get water.)  After he worked way harder than necessary to get into the eddy, everyone decided we shouldn't stop because of the wind.  He was over it so I offered to row.  I enjoyed rowing and did a good job.  Steve took over at the rapids.  After the last rapid, we were within sight of camp so he stayed in the seat.  The wind picked up and I told him what I thought which, of course, he didn't appreciate, so we argued all the way into camp.  Since then he's been less than positive about everything I've asked him to do.  I wanted the boat moved so I didn't have to sleep in the wind.  We needed to move the boats out.  Bascially it sucks. 

But enough whining.  It's a beautiful night in the Grand - almost a full moon, a peaceful eddy, little to no wind.  Dinner was awesome.  We sat around the circle this afternoon, visted and listened to bluegrass.  I rowed an did a good job.  Got a few compliments.  And tomorrow we'll be at the South Rim, seeing it all from a different vantage point.

Savor tonight and look forward to tomorrow with eager anticipation.

Getting to know you

We interrupt your regularly scheduled program for the following tripe:

Here Is What You Are Supposed To Do...And Please Do Not Spoil The Fun!
1. Hit Forward
2. Delete My Answers
3. Type In Your Answers
4. Then Send This To A Whole Bunch Of People That You Know... And Send It Back To Me So I Can See Your Answers

The theory is that your friends will learn a lot of little known facts about you.

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
The Virgin Mary? I do have an older first cousin once removed who has the same name.  My mom says that she didn't think we'd both still have our maiden names.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?

Last Friday when I woke up to Andrew DeVries story on Morning Edition's StoryCorps.

3. Do you like your handwriting?

most of the time

4 . WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?

rare roast beef

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
I say that, although I wasn't sure I wanted any, I have four: my daughter, my husband, my dog and my cat.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU
It would depend on who I was.  Oh, if I was me?  Yes, I think I'd get along with myself.

7. Do you use sarcasm?

Never.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?

Yes, and they're huge.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?

I unintentionally bungeed jumped from a hot air balloon when I was pregnant.  The bungee jumping part was intentional.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?

Life.

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?

No, but that's because my shoes don't have laces.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?

Yes.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?

coffee.  When I was a kid, I'd go to Baskin Robbins 31 Flavors and order vanilla.

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?

Build

15. Red or Pink?

red

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOU?
my condescension

17. WHAT DO YOU MISS?

good deep dish pizza

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?

Only if they want to.

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?

blue and none

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?

A Lofthouse frosted sugar cookie.  The things are like cupcakes.  Yum!

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW

The refrigerator humming.  I thought about getting up and turning on some music so my answer wouldn't be as boring but inertia won.

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?

No clue. Probably some boring color. 

23. FAVORITE SMELLS?
bread baking

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOUTALKED TO ON THE PHONE?

Kim

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS?
yes.

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
I don't watch sports.

27. HAIR COLOR ?
brown with grey (still more brown than grey)

28. EYE COLOR?

brown

29. Do you wear contacts

No.  Lasix!

30. FAVORITE FOODS?
sushi

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?

happy endings

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
The September Issue

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?

brown

34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
summer, although winter's here are pretty awesome.

35. HUGS OR KISSES?

hugs

36. FAVORITE DESSERT?

chocolate mousse

37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?

?

38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND

?

39. What book are you reading now?

Marie Antoinette by Antonia Fraser and Kittens for Dummies

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE Pad?

I don't have a mouse pad.

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V.. LAST NIGHT?
I don't have a TV

42. FAVORITE SOUND?

rivers

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Beatles

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?

China

45. Any new news in your life?
no.

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?

Chicago

47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK?

?

May 1, 2001 and June 18, 2005

More river journal:

Tuesday, May 1, 2001

Sitting on the raft at Whitmore Wash, watching the helicopter ferry the commercial passengers out of the canyon.  Part of me is feeling smug because they have to leave and I don't; part of me is a bit envious because they get showers and toilets and restaurants tonight.  Contemplating also the controversy of allowing helicopter ferries and concluding that I have no objection to them.  I just don't get all worked up about them.  I actually enjoy watching it fly in and out.

Another hot, sunny day.  Nice short hike to pictographs.  Saw some flowering ocotillos cacti up close.  Took a dip in the river.  Brrr, but very satisfying.

Saturday, June 18, 2005

Camping at Lower 202.

What a mellow river party day.  We ran into Steve's friend and his fellow guides just after they had disgorged their guests at the helipad and while they were breaking down their oar boats to motor on to Diamond Creek for their take-out tonight.  We scored some ice, candy, fod and, of course, the all important beer.  After that, we slowly made our way downriver.  We stopped just below Fat City and then caught up with Phil and Jill.

Just below Parashant, we came upon the rest of the group waiting for us.  I felt bad but we had no idea, they'd wait less than four miles from camp.  They left lunch out for us too.  It was very nice.  We were very appreciative and responded with cold beer and candy.

Strong head wind again today.

Formal night/Phil's birthday was fun last night.  Phil got out the glo sticks and performed for us all.  Dancing Man.  Today, he rowed all day with a red cape.  He also provided the tiki torches which have made the camp circle much more inviting each night. 

I'm getting excited for the South Rim!

April 30, 2001 and June 17, 2005

More river journal:

Monday, April 30, 2001, a.m.

Well, right now I'm sitting at the eddy for the scout for Lava.  We did get up and out early this morning (on the water before 7:30 am) and then decided to hike for a few hours after we scouted Lava from river left.  We rowed over to river right and watched another trip run Lava.  One boat totally lost an oar and the paddle boat had a swimmer.  The rest ran it with little problem.  Our group is going to hike for a few hours, the idea being that the river will be going down (Sunday water) and the rapid will be a bit friendlier.  I'm not hiking because I don't think my blisters and my hiking boots will get along very well.

We did find an eddy beer this morning.  Good omen?

Monday, April 30, 2001, p.m.

Lava was fine.  A great ride with the biggest waves.  We had what I thought could have been three bad omens but everything went well.

The three omens were a big horn sheep skeleton, a contrail X in the sky and a lizard fight.

Writing in the moonlight ergo the messiness.  Camping at 185.  Peaceful calm late afternoon five mile float.

Friday, June 17, 2005

Camping at 185.5 camp - river right.  Nice sheltered area, fairly gentle eddy.  Steep drop off so the tide could be interesting.

Last night was horrid.  The eddy was so rough, it drove me to the beach.  I was so sand-encrusted I couldn't stand myself.

My old nemesis, chilblains, reared its ugly head again.  Probably from all the standing in the river barefoot.  I think I staved it off for so long by wearing my sandals and by wrapping my feet in duct tape.  Tai suggested that I put Bag Balm on them which only exacerbated the whole sand issue.  Today, I wrapped them in duct tape and wore bike socks under my sandals.  That worked pretty well.  They seem to be ok right now.  But then again, it is dark, so who knows?

I got out in the inflatable kayak yesterday and really liked it.  I played in the eddy for a very short time and then ran National Rapid ~six times.  Since I enjoyed it so much.  I decided to ducky the almost 12 miles to Lava today.  I ran two+ rapids.  It was fun but it was also a lot of work.  It got windy and I had to do a lot of extra paddling to stay out of the way of the rafts.

Now to Lava.  Steve ran third after Tom and Jason.  He had a good set up and easily missed the ledge hole.  However, we entered the V wave too far left and got pushed into the right wave which surfed us hard.  I watched the right front tube come up over my head and thought we were going over.  As the raft settled back down, I looked behind me in time to see Steve disappear off the side of the boat.  I looked at the rapid and decided I would just have to ride it out.  I saw we were wide of Cheese Grater Rock and realized that I had to get into Steve's set in order to get the boat to an eddy.  Just as I was turning around and getting up to do so, I saw Steve climbing back into the boat.  I have never been so happy to see him and told him so.  He got back behind the oars and finished the rapid.  All of this happened in less time than it takes to read about it.

After five more miles into a really strong headwind (not as bad as June 6), we arrived at camp for Formal Night, Phil's birthday and my last night of cooking.  Hot dogs!

April 29, 2001 and June 16, 2005

More river journal:

Sunday, April 29, 2001, a.m.

Sitting alongside Havasu Creek Sunday morning.  We got up early this morning and got to Havasu at 8 am.  We camped about 5 miles from here at Upper Ledges.  It was wonderful being on the water so early, floating in the morning light.

The Upper Ledges camp is my favorite so far.  We tucked the boats in parallel to the ledge and had a calm eddy so we slept on the boat.  There was no beach so no sand.  It was cool stepping off the ledge right into the boat.

Yesterday, we hiked Kanab and Matkat.  Matkat is a gorgeous small curvy canyon but getting up and down it required some climbing and was a bit stressful.  Steve says I did well but it didn't feel like it.  We did Upset Rapid yesterday too.  It had a strong current pulling right into a large hole and although Steve worked as hard as he could, we went right into it.  Everything turned out fine and it actually made for a fun, exciting ride but Steve wasn't pleased.

Friday night we camped river left just below Deer Creek.  The beach had a rough eddy but really soft sand.  We had a bit of a party night so we slept in the tent.  Steve and Rick built cliff dwellings in the sand.

Friday morning, Rick, Linda and Barb got up early to hike Thunder River.  We picked up their boat at Tapeats and Paula and I rowed from just below Tapeats Rapid to just above Deer Creek Rapid.  We rowed 135 Mile Rapid.  At Deer Creek, we hiked all the way to the Upper Falls and the "hiker manipulated" Throne Room.  Steve built three new thrones.  We also had our first thunderstorm on the day they hiked Thunder River.

Thursday night, we camped at Stone, river right.  The eddy was a little rough so Steve ended up sleeping on the ledge.

During the day on Thursday, we hiked up Bedrock.  What an unexpected treat!  My favorite hike so far, largely because it was so unexpected.  It had 3 waterfalls, the last one hight enought to totally get under, the first one just like a slide.

We ran Dubendorff on Thursday too.  Had a great fun ride.  Ended up going right down the middle of the gnarly wave train.  Linda, who was down below us, said there would be yellow boat, then there would be no yellow boat, just foam.

Bedrock Rapid was exciting.  First the current almost pulled us left of the rock, then we had a roller coaster ride through the rapid.

Trying to fill in holes:  Kanab Canyon was beautiful with sheer high walls, dropping down almost to the water but with cut-outs or setbacks just at the water level.

The warm breezes at night have been like gentle caresses brushing across my face.

At Kanab, I watched a fish squeeze through a tiny break in the underwater rocks.

The water at Havasu is turquoise and the fish are huge.

Sunday, April 29, 2001, p.m.

Sitting on the boat at Fern Glen.  The rest of the day went well.  We all swam at Havasu, first just Linda and me (I guess Paula too but I didn't see her) at a small pool/ fall by the rock we were lounging on, then all of us at the bigger, deeper pool on the way back to the river.

Then Tom and Rick decided to swim down to the boats so we talked Steve into it (it was surprisingly easy to talk him into).  I carried our Camelbaks so he could swim.

The rest of our float was hot, sunny and peaceful.  Beautiful stretches where it seemed like it was just Steve and me.

Hopefully another early morning tomorrow.

Thursday, June 16, 2005

Layover day at Lower National.  Very hot but some cloud cover.  The EZ Up is quite the crowd pleaser as it was at Tapeats.

I took a bath and did laundry.  Anything to stay near the water.  Everyone else except for Steve, Tom and Tai went for a hike.  I still have blisters from Surprise Valley so didn't much feel like walking.

Steve got his kayak out and did a few rolls (with a little encouragement from Jason).  That gave him enough confidence to go out and play in the rapid.  He was quite jazzed.

The eddy was rough so I did not get a peaceful night's sleep but it wasn't bad enough to drive me off the boat and onto the sand.

June 15, 2005

More river journal:

Saturday, April 28, 2001

I didn't journal on Saturday, April 28, 2001.

Wednesday, June 15, 2005

Camping at Lower National for a layover.

Stopped at Havasu.  Once again, our failure to communicate manifests itself.  I almost got left at Havasu.  I missed the group who had hiked ahead of me.  Steve, Phil and Jill were hiking to Beaver Falls but I didn't know the rest of the group was leaving without them.  They all thought I was with Steve and I thought they were all above me on the trail.  I finally made my way back only to see everyone gearing up to leave.

I did have a nice float with Tom.  We chatted about all kinds of stuff.

Camp has a slappy eddy.  We'll see how I sleep.

Group dynamics are heating up.

June 14, 2005

More river journal:

Friday, April 27, 2001

I didn't journal on Friday, April 27, 2001.

Tuesday, June 14, 2005

Camping at Ledges.  Not as good as I remember but that could be because we might have camped at Upper Ledges last time.  That's what my notes say but Tom says he's never camped at Upper Ledges.

Great run in Kanab Rapid.  Stopped at Olo for lunch.  Great little waterfall that we all showered under.

Went on to Matkat.  Such a fun hike.  It's a good destination but most of the fun is getting there.

Had an exciting run in Upset.  Steve hit the side of the hole (Tom hit it full on) and we got tossed around a bit.  Turns out that last time we hit the hole.

Ledges is very buggy and has quite a bit of sand.  Hot breeze, like a blow dryer.

June 13, 2005

More river journal:

Thursday, April 26, 2001

I didn't journal on Thursday, April 26, 2001.

Monday, June 13, 2005

Tom's 55th birthday.

Camping at OC's - same camp as last time.  Really rough eddy so sleeping on the boats is virtually impossible.  I'm on the Barbie chair at the edge of the beach.  Really not digging the sand.

Hiked Surprise Valley today.  Left at 7 am - Peachey, Celia, Lisa Hendy, a Park Ranger and me.  Steve left at least an hour later and caught us on the way down out of the Valley.  The ranger was cool.  She showed us some neat archealogical stuff.

We got to Deer Springs by noon.  (Thunder River by 9:30 am).  Steve and I hung out at the Throne Room until ~2:30 pm.  Deer Creek is so cool with its curved canyon.

Short float to OC's - across from Deer Creek.  Good social hour for Tom's birthday.

April 25, 2001 and June 12, 2005

More from my river journals:

Wednesday, April 25, 2001

Tonight I'm sitting on a ledge at Fossil Camp.  It's a very nice camp just below the last tail wave of Fossil Rapid at river left.  It's got loads of ledges and great afternoon shade.

Today was a beautiful hot day.  We had some really fun rapids today, Waltenberg and Fossil.  We also stopped at Elves Chasm  Steve jumped from the falls at Elves and also hiked way up high.

Last night was clear with just a slight breeze.  We had a layover day yesterday at Bass and everybody hiked but me.  Monday night both of my feet were excrutiatingly painful so all day Tuesday I sat in the shade with my feet up.  I've either got chillblains or sun poisoning.  But my knee is healing nicely.  I had a nice day relaxing but did get a little stir crazy because of the flies.

I forgot to mention our stop at Phantom on Sunday.  It was very cool to see it again, especially from a different perspective.  I sent ten postcards and called Mom after much prodding from Steve.  I'm glad I did because I found out there was no news and because then I didn't feel guilty about not calling anyone.

Sunday, June 12, 2005

Still at Tapeats.  Camp is still too small but it is tolerable.  We found a place to pitch the tent, it stopped raining and I slept on the boat.  Today has been beautiful, sunny and hot.  Lazed around camp most of the day.  Everyone but Steve, Peachey and I hiked up to Thunder River.  I took a sun shower and washed my hair again.  Might have had an audience from a commercial Tour West trip but what can you do?

I'm thinking I might do the Surprise Valley hike tomorrow.  A bit intimidated by the heat but it would be good to do it.

Steve and Peachey both wandered off for hikes so I've got camp to myself.  Me and the raven.  Yesterday, it was the swallows darting about.  Wind's picking up.  Feels good.

June 11, 2005

Steve's on the Grand and I'm not.  What to do?  Try to ignore it?  That's what I thought I was going to do but instead I think I'm going to embrace it.  I've been down the Grand three times myself so for the duration of his trip, I'm going to focus on my memories by posting journal entries and pictures from our previous trips together. Rachel tells me that my trip journals can be kind of boring because they're too matter of fact. Be that as it may, here goes.

Tuesday, April 24, 2001

I didn't journal on Tuesday, April 24, 2001.  :-(

Saturday, June 11, 2005

Camping at Tapeats for a layover.  Kind of a crappy camp for a party of 16; not enough tent sites and no where to pee but right in the middle of everything.  Rather humiliating.

It's been raining, thunder storming, all day and we're all wet and cold.  Steve and I can't find a place to set up our tent and there's another storm rolling in.  Basically, it really sucks.

The rapids today were pretty ok.  I put on the shorty wet suit so I didn't get as chilled.  We did better in Bedrock this year, giving the rock a large margin.  With the new oar set-up, we could have done the right run in Specter but Steve still didn't have his confidence back so we ran the left sneak.

We got surfed pretty hard by a wave in Dubendorff.  But it was a fun ride, if a bit adrenaline inducing.

Last night, it started to rain a bit so we got the fly out.  We put the umbrella up to drape the fly over but ended up only needing the umbrella.  That was nice.

But, right now, I just want to cry.

April 23, 2001 and June 10, 2005

Monday, April 23, 2001

Tonight I'm on the boat at Bass Camp.  Tomorrow's a layover day and tonight we share camp with a party of 16 from Buena Vista.

Last night we had a great night above Granite.  We ran Horn yesterday and had an excellent ride.  At Granite, I went on a long hike with Rick and Linda up Hermit Trail.  Managed to fall and slash my right knee on the way back.

Good early morning.  We ran Granite, Hermit, Crystal and the Gems today in low water with excellent lines in all Day could not have been more gorgeous.

Had a fun evening, relaxing and partying with other private.

My left foot is swollen.  Not sure from what.  Watching it to see how it goes.

Friday, June 10, 2005

At Blacktail Canyon.

Beautiful sunny day.  Amazing what a difference the sun makes to the mood of a day.

We stopped at Shimuno - flashbacks to the great J-rig debacle of 1993.

Elves Chasm was a blast.  Everyone but Peachey jumped.

Easy day, lots of playing.  Such a nice change of pace from the first few days when we were pushing so hard to get to Phantom.

Even with the sun, I was still often chilled.  Cold water, though warm sun certainly helps.

Steve figured out that he had his oars clipped in backwards.  We'll see tomorrow if it helps.

June 9, 2005

Steve's on the Grand and I'm not.  What to do?  Try to ignore it?  That's what I thought I was going to do but instead I think I'm going to embrace it.  I've been down the Grand three times myself so for the duration of his trip, I'm going to focus on my memories by posting journal entries and pictures from our previous trips together. Rachel tells me that my trip journals can be kind of boring because they're too matter of fact. Be that as it may, here goes.

Sunday, April 22, 2001

I didn't journal on Sunday, April 22, 2001.  :-(

Thursday, June 9, 2005

At Ross Wheeler Camp.

Woke this am to an overcast sky, saw the sun only a couple of times today so the temp stayed pretty cool.  Not the best weather for the big rapid day we had.  Granite, Hermit, Crystal and the Gems.  Wet and cold all day.  I did dig out Steve's dry top which absolutely salvaged the day for me.

We had fun runs in the big three.  We had the largest wave in Hermit crash right over us and we just skirted the right side of the hole in Crystal.  We went right through the hole in Ruby (we think).  According to my notes, we had a better ride in Serpentine than last time.  All fun.

Pitched the tent for the first time.  Rachel brought it all back in one piece.  But I'm on the boat unless it rains. 

April 21, 2001 and June 8, 2005

Steve's on the Grand and I'm not.  What to do?  Try to ignore it?  That's what I thought I was going to do but instead I think I'm going to embrace it.  I've been down the Grand three times myself so for the duration of his trip, I'm going to focus on my memories by posting journal entries and pictures from our previous trips together. Rachel tells me that my trip journals can be kind of boring because they're too matter of fact. Be that as it may, here goes.


Saturday, April 21, 2001

Tonight's camp is Cremation Creek, just above Phantom Ranch.  Again, I'm in the tent writing.  I have no idea what time it is and have probably known only about three times in the last six days.

Today, we ran Hance and Sockdolager which are two of the gnarlier rapids.  Steve did really well rowing all the rapids today.  I was smart but not smart enough.  I put on several warm layers this morning but it was cold and windy all day and actually rained just before we hit Grapevine.  Once again, I got very cold.  I'm going to have to figure something out since tomorrow's supposed to be more of the same.

Steve and I had some fireworks this morning but hopefully we've worked it out.

Wednesday, June 8, 2005

Phantom Ranch Day!  I woke up this morning excited about it.  It was fun.  I called home but only got machines so left a message.  I also talked to Scheuer.  Things sound okay at the office.  Same old, same old.

Rapids were fun, again.  Steve was in a good mood.  Got a few face shots first thing.  Scouted Horn.  Wat a fun ride.  You are greeted at the entry by a really scary looking wave that appears to just want to much you.  You blow through it and it's just a rolling ride.  Let's do it again!

Camped at 91 Miles Creek.  As Tom said, "This camp fucking rocks."  Great deep eddy (good for sleeping) with a nice sand dune camp tucked behind the tammies.

Crystal tomorrow.

April 20, 2001 and June 7, 2005

Steve's on the Grand and I'm not.  What to do?  Try to ignore it?  That's what I thought I was going to do but instead I think I'm going to embrace it.  I've been down the Grand three times myself so for the duration of his trip, I'm going to focus on my memories by posting journal entries and pictures from our previous trips together. Rachel tells me that my trip journals can be kind of boring because they're too matter of fact. Be that as it may, here goes.


Friday, April 20, 2001

Tonight I'm laying in the sleeping bag in the tent which Steve pitched for the first time this trip.  It was an extremely windy day today.

Steve and I launched first and ran Kwagunt Rapid before anyone else.  We stopped and hiked up the Little C a ways although unfortunately it was not running blue.

Our next stop was at Carbon Creek where Steve, Manon, Barb, Denise and Roger hiked over to Lava Canyon while Rick, Paula, Tom and I rowed to meet them.

We're camping at Cardenas and most everyone is up at the Hilltop Ruins.

I'm having a bit of a hard time with Steve's moodiness and decided to use this time to get a break.

Tuesday, June 7, 2005

Camping at Grapevine.  Another windy day, not as windy and much shorter so tolerable but windy nonetheless.

We got into camp at 2:30 pm so Steve played in his kayak.  We ran Tanner, Unkar, Hance and Sock, scouted Unkar, Hance and Sock.  We had good runs in all.  We did just skirt a pourover in one but Steve moved the raft well to avoid it.

Had dinner duty tonight.  It was okay but a bit isolating.  Everyone else was down at the boats cocktailing.

Cleanup wasn't too painful either.

Weather's getting warmer at night.

Phantom tomorrow.

April 19, 2001 and June 6, 2005

Steve's on the Grand and I'm not.  What to do?  Try to ignore it?  That's what I thought I was going to do but instead I think I'm going to embrace it.  I've been down the Grand three times myself so for the duration of his trip, I'm going to focus on my memories by posting journal entries and pictures from our previous trips together. Rachel tells me that my trip journals can be kind of boring because they're too matter of fact. Be that as it may, here goes.


Thursday, April 19, 2001

Today I sit at the Nankoweap Granaries writing this. This is my second trip here, once by myself (although Tom, Rick and Manon were here when I got here) and a second time with Steve.

I'm developing some beautiful colorful bruises on my legs.

Last night was windy but no rain. This morning was windy too. We went to Saddle Canyon and hiked to the falls. We then linked up with Rick and Manon again because of the headwinds and motored to Nankoweap. Beautiful, social day.

Right now Rachel is supposed to be flying to Baltimore. I hope everything went ok.

Monday, June 6, 2005

Such a flippin' windy day!  Windy all night, woke up to wind and it just got worse.  This morning, the wind was tolerable with stops at Nankoweap and the Little Colorado but this afternoon, the wind was absolutely heinous.  At times, Steve was rowing as hard as he could but was going upstream.  He was actually rowing as hard as he could all afternoon.

Nankoweap was hot but beautiful.  Gotta hike for that view.  The Little Colorado was blue and we had too much fun doing the tourist thing.

Steve and I talked this morning about whether he even enjoys this.  At the time, he wasn't sure but as soon as we got to Nankoweap, his mood improved exponentially.  Good rest of the day even with the wind.  Steve cooked tonight.

April 18, 2001 and June 5, 2005

Steve's on the Grand and I'm not.  What to do?  Try to ignore it?  That's what I thought I was going to do but instead I think I'm going to embrace it.  I've been down the Grand three times myself so for the duration of his trip, I'm going to focus on my memories by posting journal entries and pictures from our previous trips together. Rachel tells me that my trip journals can be kind of boring because they're too matter of fact. Be that as it may, here goes.


Wednesday, April 18, 2001

Again sitting on the boat (less sand but this time before dark so the bugs are not a problem).

Today had a bunch of stops but only a few rapids.  It's nice to have a big rapid day like yesterday early on.  Steve's much more comfortable with the river and the boat.

Got to play in Vasey's today.  That was very cool!  It's a gorgeous place.  Stopped at Redwall Cavern.  I forgot how big it is so was wowed all over again.  Had fun rigging up with Rick and Manon and playing the Queen of Sheba.

We're getting the boat how we want it which is a good feeling.  Rick's been great, helping Steve with the cooler.  Tom's good too at giving helpful pointers for the rapids.

Sunday June 5, 2005

Today was a long windy day.  We did really well in the rapids, a good confidence booster.  Things did not go well at Vasey's, we basically got left.  Redwall was better; we all pretty much arrived together and left together.  We missed one quickie stop at a seep but led the way into camp after a long pull into a headwind.  We went 22.6 miles today so we can make Phantom in time for the exchange.  Our first camp choice, Upper Saddle, was taken so we're at Lower Saddle.

Less drama today.  Another good day in the Canyon.

April 17, 2001 and June 4, 2005

Steve's on the Grand and I'm not.  What to do?  Try to ignore it?  That's what I thought I was going to do but instead I think I'm going to embrace it.  I've been down the Grand three times myself so for the duration of his trip, I'm going to focus on my memories by posting journal entries and pictures from our previous trips together. Rachel tells me that my trip journals can be kind of boring because they're too matter of fact. Be that as it may, here goes.

Tuesday, April 17, 2001

Tonight I'm sitting on the boat writing a quick note before I go to bed.

We woke up at 5 am beached, got up, got Tom, Rich and Paula, pushed the boats out and went back to bed.

Big day.  Did Soap, House Rock and the Roaring Twenties.  Steve did great.  I got really cold.  Camped about 1.5 miles above South Canyon on river right.

The rapids are totally different on a little boat (compared to a J rig).  Each rapid is a bigger deal, more meaningful.

Gotta end, bugs are driving me crazy around my headlamp.

Saturday, June 4, 2005

Left Soap approximately 9:15 am.  Ran Soap nicely.  Steve says he wasn't able to put the raft where he wanted but we were in a good place the whole way.

I was worried that the Twenties were going to be as frigid an experience as last time.  They weren't for me but the paddle rafters are having a heck of a time staying in their boat.  It's really tough.  They get thrown around and they're not holding on to anything but their paddle.  Not my gig.

The group dynamic is still getting worked out.  Steve sees slights everywhere and I'm seeing very few.  The truth is probably somewhere in between.  Kate and Jason are well meaning but a bit bossy and condescending and they dropped the ball big on a rescue today.  Harrison has worked his ass off for this trip and the food is awesome but he's pawning stuff off and taking agressive lines in the rapids.

Steve's really struggling and I'm wondering if he's having a good time.

It's so beautiful and when we can focus on that, it's magical.

April 16, 2001 and June 3, 2005

Steve's on the Grand and I'm not.  What to do?  Try to ignore it?  That's what I thought I was going to do but instead I think I'm going to embrace it.  I've been down the Grand three times myself so for the duration of his trip, I'm going to focus on my memories by posting journal entries and pictures from our previous trips together. Rachel tells me that my trip journals can be kind of boring because they're too matter of fact. Be that as it may, here goes.

Monday, April 16, 2001

I'm sitting on a rock at the beginning of Soap Creek Rapid writing this.  I'm back in the Grand again.  18 days.  We spent yesterday at Lee's Ferry, rigging the boats.  Rick and Linda Lynch, Tom Walsh, Paula, Manon, Roger, Barb and Denise, Steve and I.  9 of us on the river at a time.

We slept on the boat last night.  It was comfortable with our Paco pads and new sleeping bags zippered together.  The moon rose late and at one point I awoke bathed in light.  This morning at dawn, as I was laying awake, a raven flew right over my head and it was so quiet that I could hear the wind going through its wings.  Today, we only did Badger and will do Soap first thing in the am.  Our boat needed some adjustments so we quit a bit early.

At times, it was so peaceful just floating that I actually fell asleep.  The past few weeks getting ready have been fairly stressful and being able to unwind is good.

Watching the waves and listening to the water roar . . .

I just looked up to see two huge commercial rigs motor by.  What a difference that is from how we're doing it.  This is a life-changing place.  It's already changed mine.  I wonder what's next . . .

Friday, June 3, 2005

Well, here I am again.  Sitting on a raft at Soap Creek.  Day One on the Grand.  So far everything has been much more pleasant, rigging wise.  As veterans, less stress.  Different deal this time, larger group, full kitchen, many strangers.  So far (today), no hiking, much sitting.  Carrying a ton of alcohol.  It is so cool being here but it comes at such a price.  Lots of work, lots of stress, lots of worry, lots of planning, lots of money.

We stayed at Marble Canyon Lodge Wednesday and Thursday nights. Nice to have a bed and a shower but not much to recommend the place.

That was hard to take

Having to pay $450 because of someone else's typo? 

The address was 83, not 85.  The county clerk entered it as 85.  The deed said 83, but the county clerk entered it as 85.

So, mail was returned, notices weren't received and taxes weren't paid.  Do they double check the returned mail to insure that it wasn't their mistake?  No, they get too much returned mail to do that!

They enter the address wrong, they discard the returned mail but I have pay the interest and penalties.  I don't mind taking responsibility when it's my mistake but it's hard to take when I'm forced to take responsibility AND pay $450 for someone else's mistake.

Then, they hand me a receipt spelling out in detail how much their mistake cost me.

Ugh.

Crack

LoBar in Crested Butte serves truffle fries that they call Crack Fries.  And they are.  You eat them and you can't stop thinking about them.  And wanting them.

It got me thinking about my love affair with sushi.  Even more than Crack Fries, sushi is crack.  No matter how often I have it, I want it again.  No matter how much I have, I want more.  No matter how full I am, I'll eat another piece.  Just writing this is making me want to jump up from my computer and go to Takah.

Someone explain this to me.  As a kid, I hated fish. Fish meant Friday night fish sticks.  Sometimes, Mom tried to make gourmet fish dishes.  Ewwww.  We wouldn't touch it (unless we really wanted dessert, in which case, we'd choke it down with massive quantities of milk to mask the taste). 

Now, my first choice on a restaurant menu is often the fish.  I make fish at home.

And, sushi?  Crack, I tell you, crack.

If growing up meant that my palate matured and now I like sushi, I'm quite ok with that.

Takah, anyone?

Pity Party

What follows is basically a little pity party, so skip if you'd like.

Well, that was tough.  Tougher than I expected.

I actually expected to say goodbye to Steve in Aspen.  He's off on a three week plus rafting trip down the Colorado through the Grand Canyon.  I wasn't invited as I don't bring any necessary skills to a river trip.  The permit holder needed some one to row a raft and the trip leader, being a friend, knew that Steve would jump at the opportunity and that I would be supportive.  As I certainly am.

But I thought I was going to be supportive from a distance, not in the midst of it.  Steve prepared his gear while I was at work and having arranged for its transportation to the Crested Butte departure point, was goig to either ride his mountain bike or hike the 15 or so miles over to Crested Butte yesterday.  The weather, however, conspired against those plans, snowing all day on Monday, making thoughts of high country rides or hikes rather unrealistic.

So I rode to the rescue, offering to drive Steve the 100 miles via road to Crested Butte and drive home by myself. 

Upside?  We got to spend our anniversary together.  Downside?  I was thrust in the midst of the river preparations and felt all the more keenly my inability to participate.  I did leave instructions that, upon our meeting again, they are to spend the first 15-20 minutes complaining.  Only then can they regale me with their exploits.

This morning, we bid our goodbyes outside of Camp 4 Coffee in Crested Butte, they headed off to Flagstaff today, Lee's Ferry tomorrow and the river on Friday and I began my lonely trek back to Aspen, with only Seal to keep me company.  Seal, because in 1996, when I visited Aspen by myself, the rental car had a cd player and I had two of Seal's cds which I played non-stop.  Seal has become my Colorado mountain driving soundtrack. 

My spirits rose and fell, alternately buoyed by the beautiful scenery and my Colorado music and felled by thoughts of what I'm about to miss. 

And yet, as I neared Aspen, my perspective shifted without my even realizing it as thoughts of home, work, responsibilities, to do lists and Aspen fall recreational possibilities crowded out thoughts of a river trip which are quickly fading into a dreamlike state.

Happy Anniversary

Spending your anniversary with your spouse.  What a concept!

We're batting over 500 but just barely.  Steve used to say that he had spent more of our anniversaries with his best man than with his bride.  He had spent several falls working in Hawaii and the need to earn money trumped the need to have a romantic meal on our anniversary.

But this year, we were together on said anniversary, just barely and almost not because of Steve's imminent rafting trip but together, we were.

Since Jill was celebrating losing her property owner virginity, we happily included her in our romantic meal and had a nice threesome at LoBar, complete with the requisite celebratory champagne, well, actually a Spanish cava sparkling wine.

It was a great opportunity for all of us to reflect on our blessings.  For me, it's having a spouse who appreciates me, makes me laugh and is completely trustworthy.  Jackpot!