River Rats

A Family Adventure on the Greene River
By Donna Corwin

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There was a warm wind blowing amid a blue, cloudless sky.  We arrived at the small airfield to begin our five-day journey.  Twenty of us flew out on single engine six seaters from Moab, Utah to the mouth of the Greene River in Desolation Canyon, Utah.  After a one-mile hike from the dusty runway to the river, we were greeted by our Western River Expedition guides. We broke up into family groups, climbed into one of four rafts, and off we drifted  on the muddy river anticipating adventures around the bend. We were off on an 88-mile journey.   

The majestic, 400 million-year-old red rocks butted up against the river. Eagles swooped over our heads. The drone of the city noise ceased.   I soon realized that this group, ranging from four to 70,, would soon become like family.  They traveled from all parts of the United States to share a common experience.  There was no wi-fi or cell phones, no communication or ring tones from the outside world.   Nature was the social media on the river.

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Our young and gregarious guides were highly professional. Not only did they row and navigate the river with experienced precision, but they cooked our meals, tended our cuts and scratches, entertained us with song and dance, and shared the history, geology and folklore of the Greene River and Desolation Canyon. The guides even helped the camping challenged to pitch tents and set up our cots.    

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The jagged sandstone changed with every turn. Any anxiety disappeared, replaced by an almost childish awe of the grandeur of the canyon.  White water rafting is not for the faint hearted , but for those who are willing to carry their  gear, get down and dirty and brave the elements of heat or cold, it is a core memory  your family will never forget .  The trip is about resilience, adventure, laughter, and bonding . You will get up close and personal with your fellow rafters, and any embarrassments will quickly disappear.  And yes….. there is a “toilette” called the Gruber that the guides tuck far away in the trees and shrubs. It is primitive, but after day one, you set modesty aside.  When not on shore, the river answers natures call.

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The children embraced every minute of our journey .  They fetched water, helped set up camp and assembled their gear.  They played games on shore,  built sand dunes,  fished, swam, and met new friends.  There was no whining,  complaining or technological distractions.

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Our guides were chefs extraordinaire.  They hauled up the food containers from our rafts, and from a few cold storage containers and bags, created three amazing meals a day including steaks, chicken , fish, pasta, eggs, tacos, baked potatoes, homemade desserts,  and even a chocolate filled birthday cake for one of the children.  At night we sang songs, told stories and reveled in the  shadows of crimson and ochre falling over the canyon walls until the moon became our lamplight.

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On day two of our five day journey, we pulled to shore and hiked to see 800 year old Native American petroglyphs etched in the  red rock  . Further on, we explored outlaw hideouts ,  and dinosaur habitats.  That night, we were treated to a Mexican fiesta of tacos, guacamole  chips , beans, rice and fajitas .  There was a chill in the air and we cozied up in our sleeping bags listening to the whistling   through the trees.

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On day three, I awoke at 5:30 a.m. to the smell of hot coffee, eggs and bacon.  After breakfast, we pulled on our rain gear to get ready for the first  rapids.  The white water is a highlight, definitely the cherry on top .  We excitedly awaited to hear  the roar of the rapids .   There were some who were brave enough to navigate the rapids in a kayak.  I, on the other hand, was satisfied to hold on to the ropes of our raft and ride the waves like a bucking bronco. The white water swirled in circles,  crashing over the lip of the rafts.  We got soaked but we were  happy. Our guides navigated the waves with perfection, and christened us “river rats.”

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On the fourth day, we donned our life jackets, cautiously made our way into the water and drifted down the Greene River.  There was a strong pull, and my new friends grabbed my hand to push me towards shore as we bobbed up and down.    That night, we had a talent show.  I wrote a rap song , performed by me and my friend Lynne.  Others did acrobatics,  singing,  harmonica playing, and dance.  Lynne and I won first place.

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Western River Expeditions  offers a number of outstanding rafting trips, but for families with younger children, the Greene River, Desolation Canyon expedition  is a great introduction.  There is also no need to worry about gear because the company sends out a three page packing list detailing everything you need, might need and don’t need.  Safety comes first with Western  River . They closely  watch over their guests – especially the children.  The minimum age for children on the  Desolation Canyon trip is five-years- old.   There are shorter 3 and 4 day trips, but for the full experience , I recommend the 5 day Greene River.

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It was a bittersweet last day.  We had formed strong bonds with our river guides and newfound friends.  We posed for a last photo, and then there were a lot of hugs.  Book a family trip on the river to create forever memories,  and maybe you can become a “river rat” too.

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WHEN YOU GO:
For information on rafting trips and adventures in Moab, Utah, call Western River Expeditions at 866-904-1160 or contact Westernriver.com for rates and dates. Inquire soon as the trips fill up fast.