Dressing the Naked boats

Arriving at the put in, our boats were already rigged with the frames and all the food... All we needed to add was our booze and personal gear. This is Pretty close to boating decadence!

A quick orientation to our boat gear, did a loose load, and we moved the boats down to our camp for the night. We spent the rest of the afternoon futzing with the rigging, organizing our gear, receiving last bits of gear instruction... And getting into our boating zen.

Inflated the river couch... And it was a BIG hit. Kudos to ray for stuffing that into the car at the last second!

The group opted to go up to the marble lodge for dinner for one last meal served to us.

It was a gorgeous evening... Made my bed on the boat, and fell asleep under the full moon full if anticipation for the boating to begin! :)

Arriving!

Traveling, packing, and preparing took up all our time I'm that first day... We were all in various states of transition, and leaving our lives behind for a bit. Arriving at the Navajo bridge and seeing the river fir the first time made it real!

Pink flamingo to top it off!

Gear for 16 days... You know you are in an etc trip when nail polish has it's own dedicated ammo can!

Into the canyon and off the grid!

Bags packed. Unpacked. Resorted. Packed again. Leaving shortly to begin a 16 day river trip on the Colorado river through 250+ miles of the grand canyon with an amazing crew of 16 people. Over 4 generations of boaters who have taught each other to be boaters.

I am so ready to detach from the world at large, and just be on the river. I have a lot of life to think about in the coming months, but I need this time more than ever before to begin the process of centering myself again. Breathe. Breathe deeper. I am way out of whack and out of sorts these days. I have set necessary change in motion, and know it is 100% the right thing to do at this time in life. Change is good, oh so good for me. Just have to figure out what I'm gonna do with it. Or not, let go of that anxiety too. more likely, just sit back, let it happen, and see where I go.

And for the moment, I'm going on the river. :)

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