Up a River Without

Me! Or is it down a river? Whichever it is, I wasn't there, but Hayman was. Last Thursday Hayman was invited to go on a rafting trip. The group left at night and traveled several hours north of us to their destination. After an hour or so of sleep, everyone was up and getting the rafts and equipment ready. They hit the water mid-morning and headed down the Owyahee River.

The weather was sunny and clear. The day time temps were hedging close to 60 degrees. Some in the group started out in shorts, but changed into pants later on as they progressed down the river. I think it got a bit chilly!The water was slow and lazy in places and everyone had the chance to group up and chat now and then.Wonder what's around the bend in the river? Oh look, a big rock! Keep to the left of it, because if you go to the right your going to get stuck! (or so I was told.)The scenery changed as the rafts moved down the river and into the steep canyons. The photo below is of the "weeping wall". Crystal clear water flows down the moss covered rocks.
The photo below is breathtaking with the dramatic changes of color in the rocks! The high desert truly is a beautiful place! Toby manned the raft that Hayman rode in. At one point the rafts were close together and Toby hopped out and left Hayman in the raft alone. Hayman then had to navigate the river on his own for a few miles. That is not Hayman in the photo below, but another in the group! The rapids in this section are probably class three rapids. Nothing too serious, but still one must pay attention and watch for rocks!
A mid-day stop to eat lunch. The group would stop each day in the late afternoon to make camp.

The canyon walls were steep and the views they held were pleasantly surprising.

The ancient peoples of the area left their marks on the rocks and walls.
One can only guess at what the story might have been about. Were they telling others about the river, waterholes or dangers that might await.

If only these rocks could talk, what a story they would tell!Hayman enjoyed the rafting trip. It took a total of three days to travel the river from their starting point to their ending point. Everyone had a great time! All of the above photos were taken by Hayman mostly while moving down the river in the raft.