Rafting Cataract Canyon on the Colorado River

The adventure for nine friends started with a four hour caravan drive to Moab and a hike to Morning Glory Arch. It was a hot day! Over 100 deg.

Aimee, Nicole, Ellen, Amy, Joelle, Karin, Senta, Lisa.

 

All good girls' trips include a gourmet dinner! This one was at Desert Bistro in Moab.
Senta, Nicole, Amy, Joelle, Karin, Jocelyn, Lisa, Ellen, Aimee

Joelle's happy to be on the river. No phone. No contact with the outside world.
The only responsibility is staying out of the sun!

First stop on the river was a grotto where a symphony performs occasionally.
Aimee, Joelle, Nicole, Jocelyn, Karin, Amy, Ellen, Lisa, Senta

Camp #1 at the river's edge after a leisurely day floating down the big, calm river.

Dinner was prepared by the intrepid guides.

Group photo on the second day: Senta, Brant (guide), Nicole, Joelle, Jocelyn, Aimee, Nels (guide), Karin, Ellen, Lisa, Amy

 

Nicole, Joelle, Jocelyn, and Senta have a good talk and watch the scenery go by.

Jocelyn, Lisa and Joelle brace themselves for 26 named rapids that took up most of the second day on the water.

Everybody waves from our short rest stop before we hit the BIG RAPIDS: Big Drop 1, Big Drop 2, Little Niagara, The Ledge Wave, The Claw, Satan's Gut.

The boat didn't capsize, but it did completely fill with water. Brant bails water out of the raft while Joelle assesses the losses (lunch only thank goodness!)

Lunch break on the beach after the crazy ride.

Joelle gives the rapids a big thumbs up!

Camp #2 at the water's edge.

This is roughing it easy. Every meal was delivered with a smile.

 

Nicole, Jocelyn, Joelle, and Lisa at the start of Day #3.

The whole team looks forward to the last floating day on the river.

A sweaty hike up a side canyon led the crowd to a little waterfall and cool swimming hole.

Swimming in the chocolate-y Colorado River.

 

Ellie's Birthday

The kids splashed in the water, climbed on the playground, and enjoyed treats in the shade to celebrate Eliana's 3rd birthday.

She's happy to be 3!

Maybe he really is Spiderman!