Labor Day Weekend 2013

We went on our annual Labor Day weekend to run the Snake River below Jackson's Hole again this year and I think it was one of the best ones yet. Admittedly I have a very short memory, but the weather was in the mid 80s except for the last day, the campground was beautiful and the company was great. Annie , her old room mate Trisha, and Thomas and Monica came up as well as Brett and Kerri, Mekenna, Cade and Tailor, sister Ann, Shelley and even Mom came up (she and Shelley stayed in a hotel in Alpine.) Not to mention 3 dogs.

We camped at the Big Elk Creek Campground across from the Palisades Reservoir, which was extremely low due to the drought this year, scarily so. There were acres and acres of dry land where the water should be. But the campground was beautiful, unfortunately, there were tons of flies, a long as you kept swatting they weren't too bad.

Big Elk Creek, thanks Monica for the picture

We did 5 river runs in 2 1/2 days, including a sunsest cruise and a 8:00 am float. I went on every one, which was a first. Usually I sit one or two out but I haven't been on the river this year and wanted to be with John, Annie, Thomas and Monica.

Rope Rapid is John's favorite!

Annie's little yellow boat was a lot of fun, even Cade and Mckenna wanted a turn

Both Ann and Thomas kayaked without taking a swim, we were impressed.

It rained on our last early morning run, but it wouldn't be a river trip without rain.
I rowed to keep warm, but it wasn't pretty.
.

The highlight of the trip was to watch the next generation take charge on the river. Thomas, Mckenna and Cade have all been guides for river companies and Annie has her own boat. They took over loading and unloading and rigging the boats as well as wanting time on the oars. John and Brett just backed off and let them do it. Part of them were grateful for the help, but they were also a little surprised. But they shouldn't be, they both went out of their way to teach our children how to read the river and row on river trips. Brett and John never said a word about less oar time,or complained about mistakes made. Even though it made Kerri and me more than a little anxious being in the raft as our inexperienced teenagers rowed through a rapid Brett and John still let the kids row. How smart they were. And the best part is, our children still like to play with us.