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Day 3
Tuesday
We left camp early (8ish am), after a breakfast of premade
breakfast burritos. The day met us with calm winds and strong current. The
rapid bellow Cedar Ridge was the one of the first to throw water into my boat. Many
other rapids can this day. Along with flats that felt like paddling through
lakes.
Margo barrowed a camera for this day, and others. Which was
fortunate, because she fell out of the ducky half way down Steer Ridge (Class
II Rapid). She took a good swim but managed to drag herself back into the duck
before the end of the rapid.
This was her only swim, and the only one of the trip.
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| Margo Half Way Out of the Ducky |
The rapid this day put a fair amount of water in my canoe.
And, I found myself using my (ill fitted) bailing spong throughout the trip. I
even had to stop and dump the canoe a few times. I used these times to stretch
my knees.
Throughout the day, we passed other groups. These consisted
of: a few private parties, a couple guided parties, and a NOLS group with a few
gear rafts fallowed by a lot of kayakers. The majority of the kayakers were
novices.
The camp we were wanting was occupied, so we pushed a few
more miles down stream to Above Bull Canyon. Where my right knee refused to
leave the canoe for some time.
As usual, we made camp before lunch. The usual.
Above Bull Ridge has a large sand bar, at this water, making
an easy landing. A short haul passed some reeds, and other brush, exposes a
stand of young cottonwoods. Which provide a bit of shade over a large sand
area. (A good place for a game of ultimate frisbee). Other, smaller, sand areas
could be found further away from the river. This camp could support a lot of
people if needed.
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| The Landing (Dad, Margo and Mom) |
After the kitchen was set, in a shady spot under the trees,
we found our sleeping spots. A few of the group set their tents down on the sand
by the boats. The groover was also set up down there. (I wish it had been in a
more private spot). I Spread my sand mat and sleeping pad out on the sand near
the kitchen and spent the night under the stars.
We ate tri-tip for dinner, while batting at swarms of little
black flies. The files didn’t bite, but they were sure annoying as they were
everywhere. They went away as night fell and the bats came out.
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| Part of the Camp |
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| Bed Sweet Bed |
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| Margo and Mom Cleaning up After Dinner |
Tomorrow would be our shortest day at 7 miles. But, it would
take us over Joe Hutch.
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