Shorewoods Photography-Boarding Group 2 Travel Blog

From Art’s Side of the Raft:

Deb says that I should write this part of the blog. So far, my contribution has largely been photos (the ones that you thought were magnificent…mine!) As for the writing, Deb periodically turns and asks me what I thought was special about the day and I usually respond with something like, “we saw a lot of cool rocks”.  She then takes that and turns it into soaring prose about the majesty of nature and the meaning of life. She is like Google translator; Neanderthal grunts go in and poetry comes out.

This morning, between coffee and breakfast, Colleen suggested we go up to see the Ross Wheeler boat in the morning sunrise. That meant another scramble up the rocks, this time with a tripod since it was still rather dark and long exposures would be needed.  So, with my tripod in hand, I started up.

Note that two days ago, one of my tripod’s rubber feet fell off, probably while on a hike. To add back the additional length and also protect the leg, I had wadded up some duct tape and stuck it to the bottom like chewing gum. This added some length but the ball of tape was not nearly as stable on the rocks as the other rubber feet so I had to be careful or else risk the whole thing going over with the camera attached. This was much like my Teva water shoes which did an excellent job expelling water and drying quickly but were not so good walking on wet rocks.  This caused endless bouts of the flailing dance as I slipped on wet surfaces with the camera in one hand and the other arm waving wildly as I fought to retain my balance – usually, but not always, with success.

Up at the boat, Colleen was giving advice on composition and lighting as we took up our various positions to shoot.  I took a lot of photos crouched in my little perch between two rocks, one with a jagged top and the other crawling with some awakened fire ants which gave me no good options to sit. As Colleen continued to advise that we catch the changing light, I decided I already had what I liked and, when the breakfast call came out, I started back down to the camp. I found that eating early also gives an early shot at the groover and if Deb has not already discussed that fun aspect of camping along the river, let her know that you want to hear more.  

It is always a treat to have Art share in the writing. I am sure he will be happy to contribute to the groover discussion, but in the meantime, if you would like to learn more, check out in this information from Hatch: Let’s Talk About Bathrooms. We know, inquiring minds want to know! It is true what they say, the best view in camp is from the groover, and you’ll be feelin groovy!

There are always some good views from camp, this morning we watched a raft go through the nearby rapids.

After breakfast we broke camp and headed a short way down the river to Shinumo Creek at Mile 109. We hiked in and got some great photos, along with a hike into Elves Chasm at Mile 117. These waterfalls are springs cascading down the side of the rocks, each unique and breathtaking.

Elves Chasm sports the oldest exposed rock in the Grand Canyon at over a billion years old!

The rapids were fewer and more gentle than those we experienced yesterday. There was a lot of time to have our cameras out on the raft for some Grand photos.

While the photos are breathtaking in their colors, shapes and shadows, the scale is often missing as just how towering these Canyon walls are. Here is a photo with a view of the river taking a turn towards the right.

In the middle of this photo is a bright blue speck that is a raft, with someone standing along the shore.

Here is a closeup, where you can make out the raft and the person on the shore; it is right across from the rock on the point on the right. This gives you some scale as to the sheer size of this place, and sometimes Grand is not a strong enough descriptor.

We ate lunch at Below Blacktail at Mile 121, and travelled a few more miles down the river to our campsite at Stone Creek at Mile 132.

At Camp this evening, we had the chance to reorganize our duffels and our daytime dry bag. Art and I each brought 6 camera batteries with us, and purchased a double charger to use, and have only needed to recharge 3 times. We found 6 was the perfect number of batteries to have, as Colleen had suggested in her camera gear packing list.

While we enjoy dinner and conversation with our Hatchling community, we are happy and content. We have been treated to Boatmen stories by Josh and JP. It is wonderful to listen to a read story. We have read so many stories to children, but when was the last time you had a story read to you? We highly recommend it! It is a treat that stirs the imagination, and as the sun slipped behind the Canyon wall, we were ready to climb into bed and drift off into a deep sleep.

Yup, we were feeling groovy!