So then I became a river guide

The last 2 summers I've been working for Hatch River Expeditions as a swamper working towards being a guide and ultimately getting to drive my own motor boat through the grand canyon. Not something that happens fast at Hatch. After a great trip with my good friend Scott making me drive mostly everything we got back to the warehouse to hear some of our fellow guides were going to bungee jump off of the Navajo bridge at marble canyon. Well our friend Sean went first of the group and when the cord came tight he broke his tibial plateau. He was to launch on a trip the following morning and couldn't bear any weight on his leg. Needing to come up with a guide in just a few hours Scott made a decision that would work if the boss went for it. Scott would take Sean's boat and I would take Scotts boat the following day. My first boat! It was really the only alternative and Scott and the boss had faith in me. I would be lying if I told anyone I wasn't scared stupid above certain rapids but I was second boat to my friend JP who would be the trip leader and following him helped my nerves immensely. We work well together and he has taught me probable more than any other Hatch guide and has talked me through the tricky ones every time we have run together. Thanks to Scott for believing in me! JP for his patient teachings and Steve Hatch for the opportunity to drive what I feel are the best motor boats in the canyon. Blessed with high water and JP helping me through the tuff spots I had great runs and brought both motors back home without hitting anything! After that trip Steve sent me out again on a trip that booked more people and he needed another boatman. So uh ya, looks like I'm a river guide now. I'm looking forward to my next trip which is with Steve and the Hatch family.

A stop and hike at Bedrock

Rain caused waterfall near the granite narrows

A couple big guys

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

Vacation in the Desert

Needing a break from the mountains, Lena, some friends and I headed out to the desert for a long weekend to rest our legs and wait for more snow.

We found some very beautiful places and returned to work ready to ski after a great time.

Boca got some rest too!

Back in Colorado for the winter. Lena and I got the word a little over a week ago. We had a day off to move in to our apartment and have been working straight through. We had Thanksgiving and the day after off and back to work on Saturday. Its good to be back in the mountains. Think snow! There isn't a lot so send us some storms. Happy holidays Ya'll.

Amy and Roy invited Lena and I to Lake Powell a couple weeks ago. We borrowed Lena's sisters little boat and came along it was great to enjoy the last warm days on the water. Roy and Amy got to bring their homemade Mackenzie driftboat the Blacktail and get it wet. Ya we had fun.

Happy Family

Lena takes Blacktail for a spin

Roy Daisy Lena Amy

Some dude in a boat

Elzy paddling back after a swim

Time to go

September

September has to be the most beautiful month in Northern Arizona. Lena soaring at Mormon Lake

Summer?

Ya I know no posts no pictures. Sorry. Been in the Grand Canyon most of the summer and haven't been around a computer. I launch on my last trip in about an hour and will be back in action on the 9th or so. Stay tuned after that for pictures and hopefully I'll get to go flying again.