Four miles downstream of the confluence, where the Green River merges with the Colorado River, we came to Spanish Bottom, our planned double layover (2 days & 3 nights). The hike up and out of the river canyon gains 1,100 feet and bring one to the sandstone formations known as The Doll House. More back country hiking takes one to sites such as The Land of the Standing Rocks, The Maze and The Chocolate Drops, but let’s get to the rapids. The 14 miles below Spanish Bottom are occupied by 27 numbered rapids (depending on the level of Lake Powell), some with names such as Big Drop, Mile Long Rapid and Satan’s Seat. So after 13 days and 124 river miles we finally must scout rapids, weigh options, make decisions, follow through and well, see what happens. As it turned out, there were no incidents for our day of rapids, but our last day, day 15, had a few. It rained first thing in the morning for the “Great Colorado River Pancake Massacre”, we had two rapids immediatly upon launch, a chilling North wind streamed down the canyon, the potential campsites became knee deep mud fests of Lake Powell sediment, the tempurature dropped, but we didn’t really care. The sun graced us with it’s warmth for moments, and we were grateful. The rain soaked our waterproof Gortex and we were cold. All the time the downstream wind pushed. So as intrepid sailors headed back to port following time at sea, we hoisted a make-shift sail, teathered the rafts together and set our sights on the take-out. After 10 1/2  hours and 31 miles, at 10:30 PM, using a $5 double D battery flashlight, that was a last minute purchase back in Green River just for this occasion, we spotted  the reflections off the indestructible, military style steel porta-potties of civilization, The Dirty Devil Takeout.

The Cedar Mesa Sandstone of The Doll House.

One of the dolls.

Jesse & Sara, our first scout, Rapid #5.

Patrick douses his new bride, Jenny. Rapid #5.

Neil, just having fun. Rapid #5.

Big Drop #2, Rapid #22.

Neil. Big Drop #2.

Big Drop #3. Jesse & Sara.

Big Drop #3.

Piano Leg Arch.

The weather turns, day15.

Hoisting the main sail.

As the sunsets, we row.

Next up: Autumn at Bosque del Apache and birds, birds, birds.