My Trip, Part 2

[Azusateach]

Okay, so it wasn't all about rafting down the Colorado River.  We had daily opportunities to hike and see some absolutely beautiful places.  The Grand Canyon has many little side canyons where you can play in clear-running waterfalls -- our main source of good bathing water (without the soap -- a big no-no).

Here's a view looking down at the River on one of our hikes.  The hikes were usually rather short, but straight up.


We were fed well.  Lunch was always a deli spread with lots of sandwich fixings.  Breakfasts were hearty, and dinners awesome, always including some dutch oven dessert.  We were never hungry.


Our drinking water came straight from the River.  I know, it sounds gross.  But the boatmen would scoop out several large bucketfulls every night, let it settle, then filter it with a state-of-the-art filter in the morning.  It tasted great, especially early in the day when it was still cold.


One of the more "challenging" aspects of the trip for the women was how to "relive" themself during the day.  It's absolutely forbidden to do anything on dry ground (except for the solid stuff, which goes into a special box that's carried on the raft), so we had to be creative.  Behind the sarong in the back of the raft someone's hanging their behind over the edge of the motor well.  I only did that once.  The rest of the time, while traveling I'd wade out into the water & just go.


Another method of answering nature's call -- hanging off a rock over the water.  


We got good at finding spots to go!


Getting a hand out of our "bathroom".  The mud was often like a suction cup and if we weren't careful we'd leave our shoes behind, never to be seen again.  Notice how deep it is soo close to the shore.


Waterfalls were also a good place to go -- and get cleaned up afterward!

[griffsmom]

Great pictures Laura!  But let me get this straight...soap is a no no, but pee pee is a oui oui? I'll take the soap instead please....

BTW, how did all those people feel about you taking their pictures while they were going to the bathroom?  I think I would have confiscated your camera. TMI!!!  :yikes: