Shorewoods Photography-Boarding Group 2 Travel Blog

We woke on Day 2 with a brilliant sunrise over the Canyon walls. We are at Mile 21 on our trip, and we are excited to see what today has in store for us!

After a yummy breakfast of made to order eggs (Josh and JP continue to wow us with their culinary skills on the river!), we loaded up the raft forming a “fire line”; 2 lines offset facing each other, and we pass the pumpkins, cots, camp chairs and kitchen supplies down to the raft where they are strapped in and tucked in with a tarp for the days run down the river.

We hiked up the Lower North Canyon for some spectacular views and a waterfall.

I also spent some time photographing the river. Today is a special day, one of the anniversaries of the heart, the day my dad passed. My dad was an avid fisherman and fished along the banks of the Niagara River for sturgeon. I recall the last time we went down to the river together. He had long given up fishing, but he was always drawn to the river, to the water, and the natural wild part of our world. I find it fitting to remember him today along a river that I am sure he would have marveled at, as are we.

There are several different types of trips traveling down the river; some are in rafts and navigating the rapids and river with oars while others are kayaking. We were able to catch a photo of one of the kayakers moving through the rapids.

We are in constant awe of the diversity of the rock shape and color as the walls tower higher and higher above us as we go deeper into the canyon, and their reflections become quite spectacular.

From the raft we took a photo of Vasey’s Paradise at mile 32. Vasey’s Paradise is an oasis in the Grand Canyon- who knew? The water from this large spring falls from the upper cliffs, creating a rich area for vegetation to grow. It is also one of only two known natural habitats of the Kanab Ambersnail, a federally listed critically endangered species of land snail.

Today we experienced some more than “splashy” rapids! Our River Guide book shows the difficulty of the rapids we will travel through- today we had some 4-5, and one 6-7 rapid, with 10 being the most difficult. Art sat in the front part of the raft called the “bathtub”- because you are in the raft that will get the waves and water, if not submerged in the river during the heftier rapids! There is also a place on the raft called the ‘Tea Room”- in the back, where the water and gator aid resides, and where you get the least of any water from a rapid. Holding on is an absolute must anywhere on the raft, but especially so in the bathtub! I sat along one side, and still got a decent soaking and some good wave action from today’s rapids!

One thing we did buy for this trip was a waterproof pouch for our phones, and they were worth the investment as we captured some video during the rapids. So, for your viewing pleasure, a video of one of the rapids from Art’s perspective in the bathtub. Yee Ha!

We were treated to photos and lunch at an iconic place in the Grand Canyon: Redwall Cavern at Mile 62. We enjoyed taking some photos and having the cavern to ourselves! It is most impressive! This first photo is looking up river with Redwall Cavern on the right.

Here is view from just inside the cavern- breathtaking in every direction!

A photo from deep inside the Cavern, gives scale to the sheer size of this place!

So, if we haven’t done the fun factor of this trip justice, it is time we do so! There is a constant stream of laughter and fun, and these photos taken by the bubbly Colleen Miniuk, is an example of the great fun we are having!

This was also a great spot to get a photo of Art the Mighty and Great Explorer!

This evening we made our camp at Lower Saddle, at Mile 48 on the river. Sunset closed out the day with more beautiful water reflections, and moonrise over the Canyon wall.

The raft, the river, and the camps are beginning to feel more comfortable, like home. The wonderful group of people sharing this journey have become a community that makes this all just MAGIC.