Grand Canyon River Adventure

The water was crisp and green like an Emerald 

The Grand Canyon trip was more than we could ever have predicted.  Not only is this an amazing National Park, but the group we happenned to go with made the whole experience absolutely memorable.

We left the canyon inspired and in awe with our sense of adventure awaken thanks to our guides and fellow companions.

Part of the Family: (from Left to Right) Stevan, Carly, Jim, Ed, Phil, Mike, Bill, Al, Arla, Paul, Riggs, Lili, Goat, Joanie, Pat, Bryan.

Water rafting with lifejackets as diapers at the Little Colorado

There is so much to learn from this place: How it came to be this huge canyon, How it's rock formation are unique and can tell you stories from 1.6 billions of years ago, and How the majestic hawk and the beautiful coyotes run free in this immensity. 

I wish I could remember the names of the rocks! I only remember: "Know the canyon history, study rocks made by time"

Our lives were put into perspective in this place.  How small and young we are.  How we have so much to learn and see in this world. But again, it was not only about the place but about the people we were meant to meet.

Our first camp

After a quick stop in Las Vegas (which neither of us want to repeat ever again) we were ready for the great adventure of rafting through the Colorado River for 12 days.

Not really knowing what to expect we packed (or downsized in our case) and headed towards our meeting point at the airport. 

We immediately recognized our group by the duffle bags they were carrying and their spirit of "I'm about to do something special for two weeks!".  We felt welcomed and expectations were raised.

Our first stop was Marble Canyon with the formation of the complete group that would later became our river family. Eight crew members/guides: Bryan, John, Jim, Melinda, Pat, Goat, Arla and Paul; thirteen passengers: Ed, Mike, Carly, Judy, Joani, Jennifer, John, Bill, Al, Phil, Stevan, Riggs and Lili. I apologize upfront for not knowing each and everyone last name, but I guess these are our river names.  We were immediately relieved of all responsibility from the real world.

Riggs & Lili

At first we felt we'd crashed a family reunion.  Everyone seemed to be connected by a story or a person of the group. Later on we were told we were the lucky ones that got the only two openings in a unique charter experience. Everyone was so nice that we felt like part of this crazy family immediately.

John Yost (guide/aka Explorer of the World) had put together this charter trip with such care and attention that every day we felt pampered, cared for, and attended to.  The trip included three oar boats for passengers; two oar boat for food, equipment, and luggage; and a small paddle raft with room for up to six paddlers plus the guide.

John the explorer

I don't even know where to begin! The stories felt as if from books, and together they accumulated years and years of white water river expeditions.  They had discovered new rivers to raft and had named hundreds of rapids!  Amazing!  All of the guides and passengers had incredible life stories to share.

Riggs The DareDevil

Paul the Aussie, falling in style

They are all truly unstoppable and adventurous. We felt so ordinary but left so inspired! They are by far the most eclectic group of people that we have met.

One of our guides, Goat, had taken a four and a half year bike trip from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego and also spent a year traveling as a hobo on freight trains through the US!

Melinda & Goat

Melinda is a tiny, beautiful woman with a soft voice.  By plain sight you'd never guess how strong and adventurous she is.  She was in charge of one of the oar boats carrying equipment that weighted half a ton at full load! Simply awesome.

I think the best part of the trip was the unplanned and unexpected opportunity to paddle a boat through 131 miles of the Canyon. Pat, aka El Patrón, was our leader in this boat.  He made the trip and effort both fun and entertaining with stories and interesting facts about the places we'd been. He made Riggs paddle for dear life and also trained him slowly to reach the front seat in one of the most terrifying rapids called Lava Falls. The paddlers had a blast every time, including a end over flip in Hermit Rapids and a day paddling over 30 miles to camp.

Weather was great (and varied) with hot, sunny days to clouds, rain, and sand storms.

Oar boat

The princess paddle boat!

from back to front: Pat (a.k.a. El Patron), Carly, Arla, Judy, Lili, Jennifer and Joanie

We completely recommend this experience!  If you are looking for a company with high standards and amazing people use Tour West. You will not regret this.

Floating in the Little Colorado

We only have good words to say about everyone, specially our team captain, Bryan. He has the technical skills and experience to make every rapid feel exiting but safe, but also the patience of a saint guideing us through every hike and exploring the canyon even as things didn't always go as planned.

Bryan our Captain!

Twelve days fly by when you you are having fun on the river. Every rapid was exhilarating, every dinner was wonderful, and every story was treasured.

We want to thank everyone for the times, the laughs, the stories, tons of moisturizer cream shared, the groover experience, and the glimpse of your awesome lifestyle!

Next stop is The Bahamas to swim with sharks and New York for mothers day.

We will keep you updated on our trip and -as always- Instagram is the fastest way to know about us.

Actual events, NatGeo Picture

The Family Picture: (Front) Judy, Jim, John, Melinda, Goat, Arla, Pat. (Back) Carly Al, Bryan, Stevan, Ed, John, Jennifer, Paul, Mike, Phil, Riggs, Bill.