Wednesday, September 12
Last night I was up as late as I ever have been on this trip — until 9:30! It was our final night on the river so everyone was in a joyous mood, which raised our music-making and revelry to a new level. Despite the jollification, I’m awake at 5:30 a.m. as usual. Our concluding Grand Canyon camp breakfast by the fabulous AzRA crew includes pancakes, eggs to order, fruit and other yummy fixin’s.
Today we have only five river miles to the take-out at Diamond Creek. Our appointed arrival time, as stipulated by the Hualapai Tribe whose land the take-out is on, is 10 a.m. so there’s no rush to break camp. There’s plenty of time for pictures on the beach before we launch. The media crew snaps photos of each pod and photos of the entire group, in traditional stills and in 360° Google Maps views.
There’s only one rapid — 224 Mile (3) — before Diamond Creek, so the 90 minutes or so of mostly easy flat water paddling is a time to relax, unwind and come to grips with the fact that we’re reaching the end of this amazing journey. Soon we’ll be going our separate ways.
At Diamond Creek the take-out is hot and dusty. We load kayaks onto flatbed trucks and rafts on large trailers. Our gear goes into the back of the AzRA school bus. We park our dusty bodies in the seats.
As I write this, our bus is creeping up the canyon on an unbelievably rocky, dusty road. At least I think it’s a road. I have no idea how this bus holds itself together over these rocks and ruts. After 12 days and 226 miles on the river, it feels strange to not be in control of the motion. I feel I should still be piercing the river with my paddle blade and maneuvering around oncoming waves and pulling through swirling whirlpools. Instead I’m gripping the seatback in front of me and passively bouncing in my seat as the bus grinds its way out of the canyon.
YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/Pvw3dAWLt9Y
Once we’re out of the canyon and onto a paved road, the rough ride turns smooth. Windows roll down. The air is noticeably cooler; only in the 80s. We stop for a picnic lunch at a small park in Peach Springs, AZ, a Hualapai Nation town.
About two hours later we arrive at our hotel in Flagstaff, unload the bus and locate our suitcases, stored here for the past two weeks. My suitcase is empty except for a clean set of clothing and dry sneakers. The first order of business is a shower and shave, followed by dinner with our entire group in the hotel restaurant.
Our group’s boisterous storytelling and laughter fills the restaurant. I look around the room at people I have come to know like family this past year, beginning with our shakedown training on the Salmon River back in June. It’s evident our common goal of helping five blind kayakers safely and successfully kayak the Grand Canyon during our two-week wilderness experience has affected each of us in ways we will never forget.
I want to give a shout-out to all the kayakers and crew members I was fortunate enough to join on this remarkable expedition. What a fantastic group of people! I miss you all. Also, thanks to the three guys in my pod: First and foremost to the remarkable Steve Baskis, who showed me what courage and determination look like. To Eric Carlson and “Big Mike” Plourde, whose paddling and leadership skills were amazing to behold. Special thanks to Dave Robey and Joe Mornini from Team River Runner for putting your trust in me to take part in this incredible experience.
YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/94rj0azekG8
“When you think you are insignificant, remember the stars are bearing witness to your one miraculous life.
