A Grand Family

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