Podcast S3 E14
Colorado River Rafting -Part 2
September 2nd - VIKING CRUISE
Cruising with Viking down the Danube
en-suite bathroom, afternoon tea
Ice cold drinks on demand
I used to think “this is for me”!
Now its in the river I pee,
Forget the flushing loo
Its a rock scramble to poo,
but you get a great view.
Here the tasty fresh food is delightful,
I just miss cutlery and a table.
The natural scenery is unbeatable,
I don’t miss museum and crowds
or the constant stream of news.
Off the grid watching bighorn sheep,
wandering and wading into slot canyons
our life is perfect now, far below
the Grand Canyon’s high plateau.
September 3 - A new Day begins
Sleeping in the moonlight.
Surrounded by river sounds.
Water rushing around rocks
dropping into swirling eddies.
Resting in almost still pools.
Waking before sunrise
The days routine begins.
Sunlight splashes on red rock walls.
Revealing new colors and shades.
Patterns of sun and shadows.
Beauty at all levels.
Waiting to be seen.
Smooth multicolored.
Stones scattered around
layers of schist.
At all angles.
From horizontal to vertical.
New sounds emerge.
Steve packing up.
Tents unzipping.
Water boiling.
The coffee call!
Joseph waits for us to gather
To start the day
with a photographer’s mind,
Searching for something special.
Breakfast, packing up, loading rafts
Then how can I be late?
When it’s not even eight?
It must be my fate to be called late.
INTO THE CANYON
We’re off to MUTKATANIBA
A tricky maneuver by Ed.
moored in the slot canyon.
We jump off ahead.
Scramble through mud and stones.
Climb high hand over foot.
Practice capturing falling water.
Images of movement:
Twists and turns,
patterns and shapes,
colorful reflections.
Climb back down carefully,
Very tricky and slippery.
Mary Joe takes a dunk.
cooled off now
She’s not in a funk.
A new challenge in front of us lay,
no lunch yet, we’re forced to stay.
Raven big and heavy, doesn’t move
pontoons stuck in the gravel groove.
We push and shove,
shake and rock, with all our might
We must’ve been quite a sight.
After some convincing.
Heavy stuff goes to the Stern
And voila! Raven floats again.
Just in time To Avoid more pain
Just in time to keep us sane.
Lunch is fast and tasty food
We’re tired and in a happy mood
we find a perfect camping site.
Sunsetting, golden clouds alight.
It’s time for chicken curry.
for which I’m not in a hurry.
But John cooked me Tempe,
a perfect ending to my day
September 4 - Our Last River Night
It’s the last supper together on the river.
I’m hoping Dickel bourbon helps the poet.
Reducing the pressure he feels
To keep being poetic before the meals
After the Milky Way last night
Then clouds painting the moon sky
After our epic MUTKATANIBA event.
Today is an uneventful day.
Blocks of ice pass on to other crews
They generously can’t refuse
Lava falls rapids was a blast.
We shot 1000 photos really fast
I am fully infected with the Greg bug.
Finding colors and patterns everywhere.
In sandstone and schist at Whitmore
Seeing beauty from top to floor.
Many things will be missed
after we finish this trip.
Cheerful camaraderie, creativity and delight
The droovers, toilets with great a view,
Buckets of cold water keeping us cool.
Captain Ed, geology, maven, John.
Lively, Kayla, efficient, Alex.
Nights under stars,
Golden dawns,
Joseph taking us one more step.
Greg patiently opening our eyes.
Everyone helping each other,
The timelessness in nature’s world,
No connection to the world of news.
Innovative, delicious and speedy meals.
Feelings of being taken care of
By the crew and each other.
Always remembering
each ending is a new beginning
doors opening to the next adventure.
©MartinSrsamore2023