RAFTING DOWN THE COLORADO RIVER - PART 2

This episode continues my photographic trip down the Colorado River and through the Grand Canyon.  These poems describe the "total experience" of life on the river; ending with our last supper!

Transcript

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