Sitting in the breakfast nook on Wednesday morning we started tossing around ideas of how to beat the heat on a day slated to see temperatures of almost 100 degrees. There were no movies we wanted to see, and that seemed awfully sedentary anyway. We'd already done a fair amount of tubing, besides the irrigation ditch was too low to tube there any more and Boulder Creek clogged with students who had recently returned to town. Cold rove water sounded good though--which is how David ended up on the phone with Rocky Mountain Adventures booking a half day river raft excursion.
Yep, that is pretty much how our family rolls:
"It's going to be hot today, what should we do?"
"White water rafting?"
"Oooh, good idea! Make it so!"
About an hour later, armed with sunscreen ,towels and snacks David, myself the kids and my father in law were packed in the car and driving towards Ft Collins for a quick lunch at Arbys (there are no Beef and Cheddar sandwiches in Germany!) and then on through town to the base offices of Rocky Mountain Adventure just at the mouth of Poudre Canyon.
Dave had been rafting before, but the rest of us were novices (not counting a VERY brief trip with Girl Scouts for Marika and I). I was a little nervous about what we had gotten ourselves into, but we only signed up for a class I and II trip given that we were all new, and most of the harder trips required advance sign ups and a higher river than what was left at the end of the season.
The main office had changing rooms and clean restrooms--s owe were easily able to change there. They had wet suits available to rent if you are rafting on a cool day--it was plenty hot though and we were all happy to be as wet as possible in as little clothing as we could get away with.
After changing, we were sent out back to sit on wood benches and await our safety talk. There were two other groups waiting as well (one of two and one of four). While hanging around out back, we could check out the carrier pigeons.
(stock photo from Pigeon Express Photography)
In the days before digital photography, these pigeons would carry rolls of film down the mountain, ahead of travelers, so that the photos could be developed in time to make a sale to the tourists. Now they are just an interesting diversion while you wait for your rafting trip.
Our talk went quickly, and then we were outfitted with (required) life jackets and (optional) helmets, loaded into the van, and driven part way up Poudre Canyon.
(stock photo)
(stock photo)
Once at our load in spot, we were divided into two groups. The groups of 4 and 2 going with Joe and our group going out with Joey as our guide, along with his girlfriend, Lauren.
We put the boats in and headed down the river on our adventure.
(yes, we bought the CD! Totally worth it.)
Because the river was so low, we took two shorter runs on the same section, rather than one longer one. That worked out well as it gave Marika a chance to sit up front after she was more comfortable. There was another company on the river during our second run. We were surprised by how badly their guides were reading the river--all four of the rafts got stuck over and over and over again. We hung back giving them space for a looong time, but finally had the chance to zip on by them so we could move quickly again.
All in all, we had a really fun day. We felt the company was well run and professional--we felt very safe with them. We had a GREAT guide and will request Joey again if we are lucky enough to raft the Poudre again in the next few years. He was funny and charismatic while also being really good at what he did. We'll probably stop by Colorado again in about two years (when dropping Marika off for college--something I try not to think too much about!) and hope to book a full day excursion with a some class III or IV rapids through the same company when we are there.
--Hadley
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