Day 7 - Gather `Round the Campfire
David's Pictures
David's JournalOur seventh day was one that I was really looking forward to. I had always wanted to go river rafting. The brochure advertised that it was going to be Class II & Class III white water rapids, but it turns out that Disney became a bit more cautious and it was only Class I, and it was more of a "river float" than a white water rafting ride. It was still enjoyable and probably for the best since it turns out this was one of the things that Amber was nervous about. We were going to jump in the river, just to say we did it, but this day was a bit overcast, and I was worried about being cold after getting out. After our rafting trip the two of us went horseback riding through the red cliffs around the lodge. We ended the day with a western BBQ, and then sat around the campfire making smores. Amber's JournalDay 7 Gather Round the Campfire Still no sight of land. Can hear the cannibal drums in the distance...will eat cabin boy first... Er, wrong journal... Today we went river rafting. Originally, this was listed as "white water rafting" but no way is Disney going to go for the really dangerous stuff, so it's really just river rafting with Class “rapids”. They send you out in giant inflatable rafts rowed by buff and trim college guys. Most of what we did was just float lazily along the Colorado River, which was relaxing and fun...good change from the usual pace of this trip! The rapids we went over were smallish, bouncy, and very fun. Our group was divided between two rafts, and we yelled back and forth, splashed and goofed off. Some people in the calmer parts even slid in to take a swim. David and I didn't want to--unlike most days, this day was overcast and neither of us wanted to be cold once we got of the water! Both Chris and Tiffany our tour guides hopped in! Chris even swum over to our raft for a bit. But seeing poor Tiffany get hauled back into the raft was a hoot--it's so ungraceful! We did have one person fall in the rapids, but he was just fine. Rick just leaned over too far at just the wrong moment! David and I rested awhile after the ride, then we went out horseback riding! My horse was Bailey, and David's was named Boulder. Both horses were mostly well behaved, but both had a tendency to snack on tempting greenery now and then. I had the feeling my horse pretty much knew more about what he was doing than his rider--and that he liked testing me to see what I'd let him get away with. I didn't get as sore after riding the first time. I think after taking up walking at lunch, scuba diving, and occasional bike rides, I'm in better general shape! After our ride, we had our farewell steak barbecue on the patio of the Lodge followed by a slide show of pictures taken by our guides. Then it was out to the fire pit for s'mores. It was drizzling a bit, so the fire wasn't getting very bright, but we had fun talking about all the fun we had, and solving some old camp puzzles Chris and Tiffany both knew--stuff like "A man goes out drinking, then comes home, TURNS OUT THE LIGHT, and goes to bed. Next day he reads the paper and kills himself. Why?" Answer: He's a lighthouse keeper and when he turned out the light people wrecked! |
