It's no secret that raft guides for A-1 Wildwater are a unique breed. We party hard, and don't take life too seriously. There are, however, a few instances every summer that you might find an A-1 raft guide with an odd look of seriousness. Scenario 1, while trying to pretend to customers during that paddle (safety) talk that we deserve respect. Scenario 2, while sinking the 8-ball at the Steakout (Watering Hole if you will). Scenario 3, your a rookie and you just flipped. Scenario 4, plans for Cataract are under way. Never else do I see us put hard solid work into planning anything as much we do about equipment, ice, food rations, and most importantly beer rations on a multi-day raft trip. We decided to make our trip smoother this year than last by doing a better job planning and buying all the food, buying dry-ice designated to it's own cooler (last minute idea) and purchasing 540 beers (all PBR's) to make sure we don't run out this year.
ANYWAYS
Cataract Canyon is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Compared closely to the Grand Canyon. For the past two years (please tell me this is going to be an annual event) we took the 112mile stretch on the Colorado over 5 days. 2 days of flat water, 2 days of rapids following with one very long day of flatwater (depending how high the god forsaken Lake Powell has risen). The highlights of the trip were many but I suppose I didn't have a bad moment on the entire trip. Highlights include: party barges, side canyon hikes, native american petrolgyphs, cliffjumping, cold PBR's (for 3 days), oar-rigging 700+ lbs rafts, beach volleyball, rapids, seeing turner swim (twice), being forced into kayaking rapids I had no business kayaking, campfires, meeting small creatures, the confluence (Center of the Universe), shooting stars, and being with friends. Lot's a fun.
SUMMER FRIENDS
The past 2 summers have been a time of enjoying the high and mighty river gods and being together with friends. Summer time is the high life for us. Being paid to be on the water. Green fun tickets (tips) - good for one day only. Train! Buildering? And trailor-sessions. Over and over again. Now, most of us will disperse into the unknown (to each other) - our winter lives - with our winter friends. Winter is more or less a recovery time for next summer. For myself, I am looking forward to my sabbatical/cleansing on wheels - my adventure to Jackson Hole.
JACKSON HOLE OR BUST
"When are you leaving?" No clue. "How long is it going to take?" Not Sure. "Have you been training?" No. "Are you sure this is a good idea?" ... "Dude, what are you still doing here? You're going to freeze!" Yes I know it's a stupid idea. I'm still going to do it, or at least try. My procrastination on this whole adventure (see above) is fairly normal for me. My trip to Jackson-Hole is just getting more and more interesting/exciting/dangerous as a find myself closer to the winter months while still in Colorado. The trip includes: selling my car, purchasing a new bike - Long Haul Trucker, installing it with an Extracycle, attaching my skiis, ski gear, climbing gear, camping gear, a few civilian clothes and biking my ass 500 miles from Fort Collins to Jackson Hole. See you soon winter friends.
