June 16 - Rafting down the Grand Canyon Day One
The next morning we had a nice breakfast at the Cliff Dwellers Restaurant, then waited outside of the Lodge at the designated time of 8:30AM.   Here's half of our group of six:  Steve, Stan, Me.
   
The Cliff Dwellers Trading Post sells beverages.  You put your order for the rafting trip in with them six weeks ahead of time.
   

Our little group consisted of six:  me, Lynnette, Stan, Steve, Jeff and Kevin.  On this trip we were lumped together with another big group, an extended family from all over the country of about 24 people.  So we had 30 people that would go into two boats.   We had three Hatch guides:  Scott, Matt and Thad.  Scott and Matt were very experienced while Thad, who was only 17, was sort of an apprentice.

We were provided with two waterproof bags, one large and one small.  The large one was called the "Night Bag" and the small one the "Day Bag".   You had access to the Day Bag during the day, but the Night Bag only after we were done rafting and setting up camp.   The Night Bag included a Hatch-provided sleeping bag, pillow and sheet.  We were only allowed to bring 25 pounds of gear.  Hatch provided a very good checklist of what to bring, divided up into what went into the Night Bag and what went into the Day bag.

Here we are in front of the Cliff Dwellers Lodge, putting our gear into the Night and Day bags.  Plus meeting the other rafters for the first time.

 
   

A couple of Hatch vans shuttled us down to the famous Lee's Ferry and we got out first look at the Colorado River and our boats.

We were put to work right away loading the night bags into the boats; a task we would become very familiar with.  Below is the notorious bag #107, which was by far the heaviest night bag.  For the next week, we'd be loading or unloading bags and suddenly the dreaded words "Here comes 107!" would split the air.
   
Our boats were not the only ones.  A number of other outfitter boats were also launching this morning.
   
Lee's Ferry has a good-sized boat ramp.
   
Underway!
 
The night bags are stored in that big pile in the middle, under a tarp.  The day bags are on top and accessible.  We always wore lifevests while underway.   There were no boat assignments.  Our group ended up on the #4 raft piloted by Matt and we stayed on it all week.
   
Lee's Ferry has a lot of history.  The Lonesome Dell ranch was here where the Paria River joined the Colorado.  It was basically the only Colorado River crossing for a long ways in either direction.  Once on the other side, you hiked out on that road (path) shown here.
   
Approaching the Navajo Bridges!
   
The first Navajo Bridge wasn't built until 1924.  It was replaced by the newer bridge in 1964.  The old bridge is used for pedestrian sightseeing now.  The first bridge replaced the ferry.
   
You can see how much wider the new bridge is than the old.  This is the only place for cars to cross the Colorado River until Page to the north or Hoover Dam to the west!
   
It wasn't long until we encountered our first rapids.
   
 
   
From the start, the scenery was breathtaking.  And so was the ice cold water.  50 degrees.
   
That large rock in the river fell down from the canyon walls a long time ago.   That is our pilot, Matt, in the lower right.  Rafting through the Grand Canyon is essentially his career.  He's been doing it for 30 or so years and has made 300+ trips down the Grand Canyon.  It beats working in a cubicle, I would say.
   
A huge rock rectangle ahead of us dominated the view.    I believe this area is called North Canyon.
   
Already, Stan is having a great time on the trip.
   
Rapids!
   
A little bit about the boat seating.  Three or four people could sit forward in what was called the "bathhouse".  In rapids, you WOULD get wet sitting in the bathhouse.  In a big rapid, you would get slammed by a wave of water.  Three or four people could straddle the pontoons on each side.  We called the forwardmost position the "Lead Dog".  The Lead Dog would usually get wet, but those behind him might be spared.  It was a fun ride out on the pontoons.  There were ropes to hold on to.  In a big rapid, it was like riding a mechanical bull at Gilleys.
   
 
   
 
   
I took a lot of these scenery type shots on the first day or two.  After that, you got used to it.
   
Plus, a camera picture really doesn't capture the awesomeness of it all.  We were constantly turning 360 degrees to take in the entire view.
   
It was like seeing a new, different Yosemite valley around every bend.
   
Our boat had a 60hp motor.  But there are non-motorized rafting trips available too.
   
The driest position in the boat is in back and is called the "Tea Room".  You probably won't get wet sitting here unless it was one of the biggest rapids.  And there were a few on a trip that qualified as such.
   
I never got over the majestic views.
   
 
   
 
   
We pulled the two boats up together and Scott briefed us on the procedures.
   
Scott was driving the other boat.  The boat consisted of a large rubber raft with a rubber pontoon attached on each side forward.  The engine was in back and protruded through the floor.
   
We pulled up onto this small beach which was where we would spend the night.  There are almost no facilities in the Grand Canyon.
   

It was quickly apparent that Hatch River Expeditions was incredibly well organized with efficient procedures down cold.

First, we formed a conga line and off-loaded all the night bags.  Hatch supplied a cot and a folding chair for every person so we off-loaded those as well.  Then we off-loaded folding metal tables, propane stoves, and various kitchen equipment.  It didn't take long and that was it for us.  The guides set it all up and started cooking dinner for us.

Hatch also had tents on hand, but we never needed to set them up.  We didn't see a single cloud for the entire week!  We slept on our cots, under the stars, of which there were many.

 
   
Setting up camp.
   
Believe it or not, our first dinner was steak!   Plus, they had a cooler full of ice with which to make cocktails.  Stan and I and gone in together on some Jack Daniels and Ginger Ale, and it was very pleasant to sit down in the Grand Canyon and enjoy a few Jack and Gingers -- or Bill Bills as we refer to them -- in the evenings.
 
So ended a very memorable first day.
   
 
   
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