Rafting on the Klamath!

Today was the day to float down the Klamath River, through some +4 & 5 rapids. It was FABULOUS! The weather was perfect blue sky and low 90s (great when you are getting pelted by 40 degree walls of water). The river was great, 42 different sets of rapids on the Hell's Canyon stretch. But the best part was the other people in the boat with us. Katie & her buddy Lauren, a recent college grad from the east coast, took the brunt of the waves at the front of the boat. Bev & Jack are Ashland residents. Jack was never excited about river rafting because his one trip down the Rogue years ago was pretty boring. Not boring today!!! And my partner Alea, another Ashlander is an experienced river rafter & my raft buddy. Our guide Jerry, who didn't know what he had gotten himself into with this crew, has been guiding rafts down the Klamath for the past 18 years. Is this an intimidating group or what???


A before picture with Katie & I. Don't we look like good buddies? Of course this was before I pushed her in & had to pry her fingers from the life vest so she couldn't pull me in with her. Hey, if I had gone in who would have taken pictures????



WOMEN OVERBOARD!!!!! This was Katie and her new buddy Lauren after I had helped them into the water for a refreshing little dip. They don't look very appreciative.


But they do they look might determined to get back in the boat.


They don't look very unhappy about the whole experience after all. I wish I could have gotten a picture of one of the many walls of water washing over them when we hit the big rapids. But I was pretty busy using my hands to stay one with the raft. They would disappear into the white water for a few seconds before you would hear Katie laughing hysterically at the top of her lungs. She kept us laughing and I think had the best time of anyone.


Poor Jerry. We did wear him out today. A little nap doesn't hurt anyone since he will be back up tomorrow around 5 am to do it all over again. He has a great "office" to work in which helps since he doesn't get any days off all summer long.