Grand Canyon Float #4 – It’s Not About Being First or Fastest, It’s About Having Fun

We eddied into lower cremation camp. By the time I had my tent set up, most of the crew was already in costume. Tonight is wig night, to be worn with a costume of choice that matches the colorful hairpieces. Spandex, butterfly wings, and pirate hats are among the many costume items being worn. Our mini-speakers are pumping music, as the kitchen team prepares dinner: grilled salmon steaks.

This Grand Canyon trip is not about being the first or the fastest; it’s about having fun and bringing toys. The joy of a rafting trip is we can bring along our less river savvy friends, various hobbies, and excess junk. Everyone can make what they want of the experience. For some it’s capturing the scenery around camp on a canvass, for others it’s scampering up a steep side canyon, or stand up paddle boarding a big rapid.

For me it’s kayaking all the big rapids. I’ve been learning to kayak for the last two years, and these are by far the most challenging rapids I’ve paddled. The adrenaline of the rapids is great, but the best part of the day is kicking up my feet in camp, drinking a cold beer and playing a round of glow-in-the-dark bocce with the group.