Photo Friday: River Rafting Down the Grand Canyon
Several people wrote to ask how I held up while my husband went river rafting down the Grand Canyon for two weeks. I'm glad to report that it went better than I hoped! As the kids get older, solo-parenting keeps getting easier.
We're all happy to have "Daddy" home now, and he seems relaxed and refreshed. As you can see from this photo, the river is mostly very calm, and it is rare for a boat to flip or for anyone to fall out. In fact, kids as young as age 12 are allowed to join this trip.
Rafting gave P a much needed break from the world of computers and cell phones. While it was tough for us not to talk to him at all, I'm glad that he got a rare opportunity to unplug, read, hike every day, and sit around in the evenings telling stories with his guy friends.
The trip was luxurious in some ways, and not in others. The guides brought along everything that was needed, including enough ice cubes to last the duration of the trip. I hear that they were pros at cooking chocolate cakes over a campfire, and it sounds like husband ate better than he does at home. The Grand Canyon is a conservation area, and no campfires are allowed. Everything (including human waste) must be packed back out of the Canyon when you leave. There are no facilities, and baths were taken (very quickly) in the cold river water. Thankfully, the men were all given access to a real shower before boarding their plane back to Seattle!
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16 comments |
Posted on October 9, 2008 |
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jamie on October 9, 2008 at 10:26 p.m.
I can't believe I'm finally organized enough (on Thursday yet!) to participate in Photo Friday. Thanks Debbie!
CanCan (MomMostTraveled) on October 9, 2008 at 11:17 p.m.
Wow! This is a gorgeous picture!
Caitlin (Roaming Tales) on October 10, 2008 at 2:25 a.m.
I'm jealous! I would love to go rafting down the Grand Canyon! Why didn't you park the kids with relatives and join your hubby?!
By the way, why don't you allow people to link to their website in their comment names? I like to be able to see who people are and where they come from, and I'm sure I'm not the only one.
Mara on October 10, 2008 at 4:57 a.m.
I'm glad both to hear that you made it and that DH had a good time. The photo is beautiful. This is a place I will definitely be going with the kids because my in-laws live close by - I can't wait!
Solo parenting does get easier with each passing day, but I still respect you for managing on your own and taking a big trip no less. My DH went away for three weeks last winter and I don't think I would have been up for jetting off anywhere in the middle of it!
Amy @ The Q Family on October 10, 2008 at 6:12 a.m.
Wow! That looks like an amazing trip. But I know my hubby probably will be the one who send me off to do the trip instead of him. :)
Linda (minnemom) on October 10, 2008 at 6:24 a.m.
Beautiful photo!
Meg on October 10, 2008 at 6:50 a.m.
Sounds like the river rafting is a lot like parenting - Have to pack everything in and out. Modern conveniences (like fire) are not there when you need them. No opportunity to spend time on computer or phone.....
This looks like a great trip.
So what is Mommy's next girls' trip?
Dominique on October 10, 2008 at 9:26 a.m.
Glad your guy had such a great time. Great photo! I almost wish I was there...almost :P
I wish Tim was able to take off for a guy's trip, but time seems to be at a real premium these days...
I was wondering the same thing that Caitlin asked about-being able to link our Web sites to our comments.
Debbie on October 10, 2008 at 9:42 a.m.
I'm glad everyone liked this picture so much! I enjoyed looking @ all the pictures P brought home too. . . even the ones where he had 12 days of facial hair ;)
I have permission from P for a mom's trip, but haven't worked out when it will be... I think I'm feeling guilty about leaving the kids for those two conferences this summer, but I'm willing to bet that a fall airfare special will spur me into action.
We're rolling out a new version of our blog software soon (hopefully this weekend) and it will let you include urls in the comments. Until then, I don't mind when people put the url at the bottom of their comment. I feel bad that it's taken us so long to get such a rudimentary feature in place.
bapworld on October 10, 2008 at 9:55 a.m.
you know it's sad, i'm from arizona and i've never rafted down the canyon, only gotten out of the car for a few minutes and just moved on! i'm so jealous of your husband! plus, this is a beautiful shot!
Monna @ Teacher Meets World on October 10, 2008 at 10:38 a.m.
Hi there. I learned about Photo Fridays from Heather Cowper at Heather on Her Travels. What fun to share our photos with other bloggers in this way. Thanks Debbie!
I don't have kids of my own but I'm a teacher and I was in Madrid last week with thirty teenagers :-)
Sharlene@ Double the Adventure on October 10, 2008 at 4:38 p.m.
Jamie turned me on to your site. Its nice to see there are other people out there with the same passion to travel with kids. I can't wait until my kids are old enough to raft the Grand Canyon. We are so there!
Kim@Galavanting on October 10, 2008 at 4:52 p.m.
Cool photo, sometimes it's good to get away for a bit. Happy for you that he got a real shower before returning though :).
Jim on October 11, 2008 at 3:26 a.m.
Hi
Great post and pic, just wanted to say that multi day trips are a blast and coking three course meals for the customers 8 days in to a trip with a fresh pizza in the camp oven always pulls morale to the forefront.
Another great place to do multiday trips is waaaay over the other side of the ocean on the Franklin River in Tasmania, 10 days of pure wilderness. www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2008/may/31...
Also there are fantastic white water rafting day trips suitable to the whole family such as the the River Findhorn in Scotland near Inverness. www.aceadventures.co.uk/Pages/river_f...
Happy padling :)
Heather on her travels on October 11, 2008 at 3:50 p.m.
Hope hubby will be doing his fair share of childminding when you head off for that girl's only trip
Thomas on June 15, 2015 at 12:19 a.m.
The picture is amazing. I had a great time in my previous trip and looking for more fun this time again. All thanks to my Rafting guides http://www.advantagegrandcanyon.com