This year's river trip was the first one for our kids. We chose to float the Green River through Labyrinth Canyon based on the recommendation of friends for kids our age. There are no rapids on this section of the river yet it has all the beauty typical of southwest river canyons. What made this trip complete was that our good friends Jim and Mari Germain were able to join us. They live not far from Labyrinth Canyon in the town of Castle Valley Utah (near Moab) as owners of the Castle Valley Inn bed and breakfast.
We took a couple of days traveling to Castle Valley taking the scenic route. This is an image taken in Bryce Canyon National Park.
Lisa and the kids enjoying the wonderful views in Bryce.
Jim and Hannah loading the trailer with all the stuff we'll need. Raft river trips are the best of car camping and backpacking all rolled up in one; a lot of convenience and solitude at the same time.
We planned on launching on May 12th but when we arrived at the Ruby Ranch put in, it was about 50oF with at least 35 mph winds. It was like standing in front of a sand blaster so we decided to bail and get a motel room in Green River, Utah and hope the weather would be better the next day. As it turned out, we found great rooms at a great price right across the street from the John Wesley Powell Museum which is great (every river runner should see it). Anyway, this is a picture of the kids having a birthday party on the deck of our room for Caleb's favorite stuffed animal, Rogo, the Mountain Goat.
Launch Day, May 13th; Jim and Mari preparing their kayak for the launch on what turned out to be a beautiful day. The fast-moving storm blew itself out.
Hannah and Lisa with some of our gear before the launch at Ruby Ranch.
And they're off for a great trip down the Green River.
Our wonderful children, Caleb and Hannah.
In no more that a couple of miles below the Ruby Ranch put in, the canyon walls of Labyrinth start to rise up around you.
Seven miles downstream we take a break at Trin-Alcove for a short hike and lunch. While there we found this cottonwood tree that had grown into a natural arch.
Jim with his hiking buddy in his wake.
Back on the water again. As it turned out the river flows were very good for us. Typically the Green runs 10,000 CFS (cubic feet per second) this time of year, but because of a recent release from the Flaming Gorge reservoir upstream we were riding on 15,000 cfs making this a float trip not a row trip.
Another one of the many beautiful Navajo Sandstone alcoves in the canyon walls.
Compared to the day before, this was a wonderfully calm day with beautiful skies.
Caleb was glad "Aunt" Mari gave up her seat in the kayak to spend a little time in the raft with us.
Hannah with "Uncle" Jim.
We arrived at our first camp at around 4:30 p.m., 18 miles from our put in at 9:20 a.m. It was a wonderful, well protected camp with plenty of tent spaces and great views.
The evening upstream view from our first camp on May 13th at river mile 79.3.
Enjoying a spectacular Teriyaki Salmon and salad feast prepared by Lisa.
May 14th and back on the river at almost the same time we launched yesterday. It was a little warmer and so the kids are getting ready to float some "boats" alongside ours as we continue downstream.
Another very nice day with a great view of our friends in their little yellow boat almost lost against a spectacular backdrop.
After just a couple of miles we stopped at "Register Rock" where many (some well known) have added their names.