UMTravels

Left at 10:30 because we are having a small day after yesterday’s plus mileage. Reason: Phantom Ranch — the only chance in the canyon to mail postcards.

So, today was an Anasazi ruin (nice touchable shards and a few stone building outlines) followed by two of the more nasty rapids on this trip — the ones where you check every strap on the boat for tightness.

Apparently there is another devil of a rapid in the morning, the Phantom Ranch in the afternoon.

Very short day on the river — got to camp around 2 and had lunch. Got everything dried from this morning, read a little, hung out in the sun and relaxed (with periodic camp duties), and avoided the desire to hike.

Also did a wine inventory and determined that if we drink 1 liter of white (with 1/2 that for Gena) and 4 liters of red we will make it on the 123 liters I bought.

At 5 another group showed up up canyon — commercial — needing a space to camp — they’d been screwed out of the last three (too small for two groups). My first contact led to an amusing discussion with WhiteWater, naked, soaping his beard, saying sure. She (the commercial guide) mentioned they had a birthday tonight so I rounded up some balloons from Sarah to contribute.

Taking the balloons down with Uli to the other camp we met this other charming guide — Harlen — be still my heart. Maybe I will go to their party tonight!