GC - Day 3 - Thurs Jun 11, 2009

Mile 65-66. Before we even got on the river, we started the day with a 4 mile hike - up Carbon Canyon over and then down Lava Canyon. Hmm... these hikes include a bit of rock scrambling and we did just fine! Half of folks hiked, half stayed behind. Boat met us downstream at ’exactly’ the right time. When asked how time was so perfect, Lucky indicated it was a trade secret.

On the river down to Mile 68 - archaeological drawings, ‘birthing chair’. This was a real short stop but interesting area.

This was one of the widest areas of the canyon. The birthing chair is behind us. The Indians came to the canyon floor in the winter and planted crops in these wide areas. In the heat of summer they would go to the rim where it is twenty degrees cooler.

At Mile 81 we camped at Grapevine. Gorgeous scenery, very windy with blowing sand, but did let up at night. Most nights we just hung our clothes on rocks and bushes to dry but here we had a great clothesline. At dessert, besides the announcements for tomorrow, Lucky told us about some of the stories of Georgie (one of the first river-runners who took passengers) and showed us pictures. Because of the blowing sand, Pam abandoned her contacts for the rest of the trip. First glimpse of South Rim and desert view watchtower.