Peggy standing next to Deer Creek Falls in the Grand Canyon.
“It is especially cold in the rain tonight. The little canvas we have is rotten and useless; the rubber ponchos have all been lost; we have not a blanket apiece. We build a fire; but the rain, coming down in torrents, extinguishes it, and we sit up all night on the rocks, shivering…” From the diary of the one-armed John Wesley Powell on the night of August 17, 1869 during his epic exploration of the Grand Canyon.
Well, there are ADVENTURES and there are adventures. Today I will focus on our 8th, 9th and 10th days on the Colorado River. There are rapids, but nothing to write home about. In camp, the fabled heat of the Grand Canyon makes an appearance, so we put up a sun shelter and snooze. It’s a bit of a climb up to Christmas Tree Cave, maybe 10 minutes. We do, however find a very strange creature there, something that might give you nightmares. We stop to admire Deer Creek Falls and then climb up the Deer Creek Canyon, which is much more of a climb than it was to the cave, but a natural Jacuzzi greets us at the top. The water is cold. Things are tough, right? As I said, there are ADVENTURES and then there are adventures. (Grin.) I let photos tell today’s story.
We do run into rapids every few miles, but mainly the water is calm and beautiful. (Photo by Don Green.)
Rowing is a given, lots of it, but unless we are rowing against the wind or maneuvering through rapids, the river does much of the work.
Don caught this interesting face along the way. (Photo by Don Green.)
Take a cold beer or two, add in a warm sun, comfy chairs, and shade, it’s time for a snooze.
With the trip half over, it’s time to check in on how we are faring. This is me…
And this is Peggy. I can only wonder how she does it.
Our camp that evening…
And in the early morning light.
Looking up at the entrance to Christmas Tree cave. The name derives from a crystalline structure that looks something like a Christmas tree.
Okay, imagine you are alone and making your way through a large, semi-dark cave when you suddenly come face to face with this cave troll. The Christmas Tree, BTW, is to the right of Tom.
I really like the perspective on the size of the cave in this photo that Peggy took.
Deer Creek Falls was a treat. Hiking up the Deer Creek trail provided more delights.
Like the natural Jacuzzi.
It was a tad cold.
Bone was probably the least bothered by the cold of any of us. Maybe it was his warm vest. Tom and Don make a hand off. Bone wanted to leap off on his own but we were afraid that the creek might carry him away!
Deer Creek had cut its way into the soft sandstone, creating a min-Grand Canyon of its own.
Which led Peggy and me to take numerous photos.
Waterfalls along Deer Creek.
And another opportunity to rest. Check out the shade on the left.
Our final photo of the day. Looking down on the Colorado River from the Deer Creek trail.
WEDNESDAY’S POST: We arrive in Alaska on the Alaska Highway. Now we will be making our way from the Canadian Border to Anchorage. Be prepared for glaciers!
FRIDAY’S POST: The MisAdventure series. The railroad detective comes to visit. Were the Mekemson kids guilty of tearing apart a railroad trestle? Tune in on Friday.
36 thoughts on “A Strange Cave Creature… Rafting through the Grand Canyon: Part 10”
Animalcouriers
If he’d been wearing Bone in his hair, that would certainly have been the scariest troll one could meet 😀
Curt Mekemson
Darn, we should have thought of that AC! 🙂
ralietravels
I love her expression in the photo “It was a tad cold.”
Curt Mekemson
It said it all, huh Ray. 🙂
Carrie Rubin
I can only imagine how gorgeous this is to see in person. The photos are stunning. This looks like snake territory though. Yikes, you know how much I love that…
Curt Mekemson
Grin. I remember that you and snakes are particularly compatible, Carrie. I’ve seen them down in the Canyon, heck I see them out in my yard, but we didn’t see any on this trip. Just a few handsome lizards. And thanks on the photos. The Canyon makes photography easy. –Curt
Blogging_with_Bojana
Absolutely stunning. And you two guys are beautiful.
Curt Mekemson
Thanks, Bojana. You have me smiling. –Curt
philosophermouseofthehedge
This is probably the only (and best way) to see the canyon. What a fabulous adventure. Great pictures!
Curt Mekemson
Thanks, Phil. I’ve been in by foot, mule and helicopter as well as raft. Each provides a unique perspective. Certainly for seeing the whole Canyon, the river is the way to go! –Curt
philosophermouseofthehedge
As a kid I always wanted to ride the mules down – now the rivers appeals much more – in any case – any way other than the car parade on along the rim is preferable. (I think my dad had pictures of me sitting on every darn scenic overlook sign the entire perimeter …brother eventually got tired and refused to get out of the car HAHA)
Curt Mekemson
My overall favorite, Phil, is still backpacking with a friend or even by myself. If you want a less automobile dominated experience, you might try the North Rim. Far fewer people maker it up there. –Curt
GP Cox
In that top photo, Curt, I must say you could have given Peggy a boat to sit in instead of making her stand in the water! 🙂
To me, when you look up at the cave, it looks like the map of the U.S., only Florida is a little stumpy!
Don’s rock face reminded me of this guy____
Curt Mekemson
Laughing at the thought of making Peggy do anything, G. Wandering out into the falls was her idea. My job was simply to record! 🙂 Sorry your state ended up a little stumpy! What was the artist thinking? And I really like your owl comparison. Right on. –Curt
Andrew Petcher
Amazing stuff, stunning pictures, I especially like the rock carvings!
Curt Mekemson
Mother nature can carve some pretty amazing stuff, Andrew. Add in a little imagination and Voila! –Curt
leggypeggy
Fabulous photos. Can’t pick a favourite.
Curt Mekemson
Thanks, Peggy. The Canyon is a photographer’s dream.
M.B. Henry
“It was a tad cold” made me laugh out loud. Excellent capture! haha. All these photos are amazing, it looks like a blast!
Curt Mekemson
A unique experience, for sure, MB! Thanks. –Curt
allentimphotos2
Spectacular images. Fun even with the cold water.
Curt Mekemson
Thanks Tim.
allentimphotos2
Curt, you’re welcome.
Mel & Suan
If one pitches tent with that face of rock staring down… woah!
Can’t sleep at night!
Curt Mekemson
Laughing. It might provide a bit of a start waking up and seeing that on a full-moon night!
Mel & Suan
Imagine the moon light on that face. And if you slept facing it, wow imagine the sight of in in your face in the morning… like “wake up buddy”
Dave Ply
It’s a tough life…
Curt Mekemson
Indeed! 🙂
gerard oosterman
Talk about cave men and cave women. Wonderful photos and the contrast between the rocks, caves and all that sweet water.
Curt Mekemson
Definitely, and I am sure that the original native Americans made full use of the cave! The Colorado River flowing through the Grand Canyon in a desert environment, Gerard, does make for interesting, and beautiful contrasts. –Curt
JoHanna Massey
A most excellent and absolutely gorgeous photo essay, Curt. Deer Falls is such a magic place. One of the beauties about the bottom is that it engages all of your senses in big new ways. I am certain it not only challenges those who come, but changes forever who they are.
Thank you for a just stunning photo essay.
Curt Mekemson
I like your description of the bottom of the Grand Canyon engaging your senses in a big way, JoHanna.
I think meeting major physical challenges: running a marathon, backpacking a hundred miles, bicycling 500 miles, etc. do change people’s perspectives of who they are and what they can accomplish. I’ve seen it over and over. Thanks. –Curt
JoHanna Massey
So have I. The Canyon…especially from the river really impacts people. Takes the starch right out of any arrogance, forces people to focus on getting all the parts of being human coordinated and in sync by sheer necessity of the geography, and oh the whispers that can be heard in the night.
Your stories, photos, and website is not only visually beautiful, but a real nudge to anyone who desires an adventure, enjoys a good yarn, and a reminder of just how much traveling folks can fit into a life. I am so glad you and Peggy take all those photos along the way, and choose to share them.
Curt Mekemson
Reminds us of our place in the scope of things, as well as the great beauty in the world to those who seek it. One of the reasons that Peggy and I share our adventures is to encourage people to get out and go on their own. Thanks, JoHanna. –Curt
shoreacres
Inquiring minds want to know: have you ever had an ordinary day in your life? For whatever reason, I found myself wondering how you’re going to deal with the day when you can’t get out and about. Then I realized who I was dealing with, and realized that day may never come. Or, if it does, it may look much, much different than most peoples’ “retirement” days. If you ever were to land in “a home,” the administration had better watch out. I can only imagine… 🙂
Curt Mekemson
Ending up in ‘a home’ I might be forced to organize a ‘walk out,’ Linda. 🙂 In my mind’s eye I can see the facility’s residents making their way down Main Street with their canes, walkers, crutches and wheel chairs while chanting: “What’d we want? Freedom! When do we want it? Now!”
Somehow, Linda, I think that my ordinary life shares a lot with your ordinary life. –Curt