Dad & I with Ellie & Drift Wood hit the road and headed north to OR hoping we could grab a chromer or two. This would be our third trip to the Deschutes together and were starting to recognize productive spots to fish. The river is swift and deep, so knowing where to pull over is key to success. The other key would be having fish in the river. Sadly, due to recent drought conditions and that warm blob of water associated with last years El Nino, the fish return to the Columbia was a dismal 40% this year – they are saying the worst return in 30 years. While there were fish in the river, there definitely weren't many, and few of them felt grabby. We got a few bumps our first day, and managed to land one and hook one on a guided day. We joked that our time up there was not on a fishing trip, but a casting practice trip. More study this trip will make the next one all the more successful – that is if there are fish in... a key ingredient!
A 4AM wakeup ensures gorgeous morning light in the canyon
Driftwood & dad in the distance casting
With all the rattlers, the trip was pretty boring for the pup
Dad & guide Alex in what would be a productive spot across from Twin Springs
Dad hooked up
Better get it in the net, this might be the only shot
A nice hatchery hen, pops
Good looking spotted fish
Early AM equals afternoon snooze
Last light on the canyon at the spot I hooked and lost one
Back at it to swing another day
A chaperoned walk at lunch well away from the bank
in 2014, Dave pulled a permit to get us on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. That fall in a dark bar in Maupin, Oregon my dad mentioned how excited he was to join. Realizing the magnitude of the trip, I baulked at taking the responsibility for the his safety, but given the incredible experience of the place also didn't want him or my mom & sis to miss out on getting down there. So for the 65th/70th birthdays of my mom & dad we arranged to join a commercial trip with OARS. Not only would we see the canyon together but we'd do it in style as passengers on the timelessly elegant dories.
On the first of September we pushed off from Lees Ferry for a 14 day trip, traveling 187 miles to Whitmore Wash where we would then fly from river to rim. We would see the best of the canyon and hit all the major rapids, including Lava Falls. It was important to me that they see the beauty, and experience a long duration trip down there, but I was definitely concerned about them getting into Lava – even with a professional guide.
The trip was nothing short of spectacular. Day-after-day we were visually wowed and everyone enjoyed all the big hits that the whitewater threw our way – even if they didn't know how close they got to unintentionally getting tossed in the drink. Thankfully no big swims, though we came awfully close in both Sockdolager and Lava Falls.
The opportunities for 30-sometings to spend that type of quality time with their folks are pretty few, and that alone would be the proper ingredient for an incredible trip. Spending those milestone birthdays in such a grand place was probably more special to me than them, but there are really few places on earth that allow the reflection offered in the Mighty Grand Canyon.
Hard bottom'd boats in the drink at Lees Ferry
The family unit ready to roll
Rig's on the rio
Loaded in with Ned
Riverside lunch
Mom & Dad off the boats in North Canyon
Headed for a hike
Mirror pool in North Canyon
Critters on the walls
Natural slide
Early morning action with Roger at House
Small craft advisory in the depths of the mighty Grand Canyon
First of the major ones down and it's all smiles
Settled in for camp at Sand Pile
Cary drying out and ready for some more rain
Enjoying some evening light in the camp circle
Great evening entertainment
Late morning excursion
Those boats sure look good
Petroglyph's
Inside out view at Redwall
Perspective is funny in this big cavern
Blown side stream
Other world nautiloids
Nice light in the canyon
Think that's the end of the line, pops
The family unit still all smiles
Looking down at Nanko
Big country – can you see the yellow boats down there?
The group makes their way up the steep hill at Nankoweep
Dad with the granaries and a stunning GC backdrop
Old school pantry
A special place, this place
Reflections and beached boats
Dory's at Nanko
AM light with Deli
A stunner
The lady at work
Back on the 'trail'
Encounters
Time to kick back
Some are more seasoned
This guy!
Back at it, making miles
River views
The family back with Ned
Dropping in to Sockdolager
Pushing through that lateral
Rut, ro – Ned, you got something to report? Something looks off with that oar??
Dropping into a hole off axis
Time to high side!
Mayhem
Things seem to change fast in here
High side became the low side – time to switch and get spit out
Safe at Phantom – what a morning
Sad to say farewell to friends made
It is not over until you are at camp, eh Ned?
A big day indeed
Surprises around every corner
Next day passing Indian Dick
Helmets on, where we headed next?
Rocking and rolling with Roger
Expert high-sider, Cary puts her money where her mouth is
And comes up a little black & blue
Push?
Rock n' Roll
Big hit
Boaters having fun
Canyon views
Eggshell's have their downside
Crystal day! Where we headed Rog?
Boats on the river
Dad checking out a The Ross Wheeler from a previous world
Mom enjoying the side splendors at Shinumo
The boss out for a stroll
And a snooze after a couple big back to back days
She's not the only one
Enjoying the warm weather and sand free water of Shinumo
A river guide takes a bath
Family is still happy and headed down river
The Matthews ladies
One good looking boat
Back in the surf with Roger in the Santa Ana
Evening light from camp
Post Crystal the crew enjoys some celebration
Another great camp at Big Dune
Emily & Ned getting it done
Others enjoying the down time with a book
...
Even the boss-lady
Reflections & colors for dinner
Moon sliver
Awesome evening entertainment
A good team they are
AM sun crawls down the walls
Not a sight you want to see as we arrive at Blacktail
Blacktail narrows
A good place to relax
But don't stay too long...
A place for a tune
And to enjoy a tune with others
For a little extra ambiance check out The Blacktail Sessions
Mom in Blacktail
Layers for days
Settled in at Stone Creek
An oasis at Stone
Surrounded by the locals
Great place for a rinse
Can you believe your eyes?
So stoked to share this with them
A great place with great people
132 miles of river behind us
Last light at Stone Creek Camp
We are not the first visitors
Back at it with Deli
The Santa Ana pushing through the narrows
Deer Creek Falls is quite a site
The ladies enjoy
An impressive falls
Dad off for a hike
Quick valley view
Boats tucked in
High fives!
Dad at Deer Creek Patio
Cascades off The Patio
Moment to take it in as we head back to the river
Dad with the falls in the background
Again, can you believe your eyes?
Down time
One of my favorite spots
Sean hard at work at Ponchos
In camp with plenty of daylight
Short walk to some ruins
Evening approaching
Did I mention there is whitewater?
On the water, views down canyon
Lunch stop at Rand's
The wolves await
This guy
And this rock that looks exactly like him??
Guides chatting at Bedrock
Shockley making his way
Calm water
River side friends
Mom & Dad make the scramble at Matkat
Alternate route up the drainage
Narrow serpentine walls
Ned walking the line
Shifting walls
This guy
Water falls at a choke
Reflections of Matkat
Shockley
Water flowing
Dad deep in Matkatamiba
Neighbors at Matkat Hotel
Back on the water in the AM
First look at Havasu
Desert country
Guides off the job
A stunner this spot
Adventurous Jody rolls 'em up
Soaking our feet a little way up the drainage
Again, so happy to be here with these folks
Ned takes the plunge
Early morning stroll
Waves on walls
Post coffee hike views
Bird takes flight
Mom working hard at Fern Glen
Big boulders block the way
Mom exploring
Light reflecting up Fern Glen
Life in the desert
Taking it easy waiting for the water to drop
A trickle now, but I bet this one rips
Cary headed back to the river
Accents of light
These guys don't recommend going further
Hang on, we're dropping into Lava!!
Rog, shouldn't we be straight??
Taking an early hit to the side
Roger straightens out before the big waves
Almost...
Now that's a good hit
Right side up and full of water
Final moon in the canyon and my how it's changed
A sad moment when you have to leave
Headed up to the rim
Final river view before we are back up top
Some kids never grow up
But learn some skills along the way
Multi transportation day
Side canyon from above
The view changes but the place still is Grand
Last view of the ribbon of water as we pass Pierce Ferry
