July 8-16 Grand Canyon Tour - Post #4 (July 10, Lunch stop)

In July, I had the unique opportunity to spend 9 days in Arizona, 7 of which were floating down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.  I am grateful to Canyon Ministries for the invitation, and to the trip leaders (including Arizona River Runners!) for the absolutely outstanding experience.  I'd like to take the next little while to blog through the adventure.  Bite-sized chunks ... I hope you enjoy them.  All of the posts are transcribed from my hand-written journal that I kept while on the trip.  I tried to take time during lunch breaks, evening camps, and various other times to record thoughts and impressions - I'm presenting them here in unaltered and unvarnished fashion.

Dr. John Whitmore -
Coconino Sandstone Expert

Marble Canyon Lodge - last night's motel

The Lodge & Trading Post

Tuesday, July 10, 2018         12:15 PM – Lunch Stop

Our guys on the boat!

Rough sleep last night, even though it was in a real bed!  We’ll see how I do under the stars.  Accidentally set my alarm an hour early.  Got back to sleep.

Breakfast orientation at 7.  River crew orientation at 8; then we headed down to the river.  Lee’s Ferry is the boat launch, also mile 0 on the US Geological Survey measurements.  Loaded the boats and got strapped in.  Cool Zodiak-style boats – very large.  14 people plus crew (1 or 2) on each boat.

River Overview - clear water!

July 8-16 Grand Canyon Tour - Post #3 (July 9, Marble Canyon)

In July, I had the unique opportunity to spend 9 days in Arizona, 7 of which were floating down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.  I am grateful to Canyon Ministries for the invitation, and to the trip leaders (including Arizona River Runners!) for the absolutely outstanding experience.  I'd like to take the next little while to blog through the adventure.  Bite-sized chunks ... I hope you enjoy them.  All of the posts are transcribed from my hand-written journal that I kept while on the trip.  I tried to take time during lunch breaks, evening camps, and various other times to record thoughts and impressions - I'm presenting them here in unaltered and unvarnished fashion.

Monday, July 9, 2018, 9:44PM – Marble Canyon Lodge

South Rim

South Rim View

Long day!  Up at 6AM.  Showered, dressed, packed, checked out.  Breakfast at 7.  Then another teaching session until about 9.  Then we loaded on bus for the 4-hour drive to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

View from the South Rim

South Rim View

South Rim

July 8-16 Grand Canyon Tour - Post #2 (July 8, Radisson Hotel)

In July, I had the unique opportunity to spend 9 days in Arizona, 7 of which were floating down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.  I am grateful to Canyon Ministries for the invitation, and to the trip leaders (including Arizona River Runners!) for the absolutely outstanding experience.  I'd like to take the next little while to blog through the adventure.  Bite-sized chunks ... I hope you enjoy them.  All of the posts are transcribed from my hand-written journal that I kept while on the trip.  I tried to take time during lunch breaks, evening camps, and various other times to record thoughts and impressions - I'm presenting them here in unaltered and unvarnished fashion.

Canyon view from River (Day 7)

July 8, 2018, 8:30PM MST (Arizona Standard Time) – Radisson Hotel, Phoenix Airport

July 8-16 Grand Canyon Tour: Post #1 (July 8)

In July, I had the unique opportunity to spend 9 days in Arizona, 7 of which were floating down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.  I am grateful to Canyon Ministries for the invitation, and to the trip leaders (including Arizona River Runners!) for the absolutely outstanding experience.  I'd like to take the next little while to blog through the adventure.  Bite-sized chunks ... I hope you enjoy them.  All of the posts are transcribed from my hand-written journal that I kept while on the trip.  I tried to take time during lunch breaks, evening camps, and various other times to record thoughts and impressions - I'm presenting them here in unaltered and unvarnished fashion.  My first post will be quite short, just to get into the trip; some later posts will be quite lengthy.

July 8, 2018, 2:50PM MST

(my new Grand Canyon hat!  Clean now ...)