June 11
We drove from Crater Lake to Hines, Oregon. Spent the night in this quiet non- descriptive sleepy town.
June 12- Up in the morning and drove to McCall. Idaho is gorgeous! We walked about town after checking into the Holiday Inn Hunt lodge. This was the perfect place for our 2 nights in McCall.
Sculpture made of hangers
The lake walk McCall
After walking around we found a Wonderful Italian Restaurant right on the Lake and made reservations for 10. Soon the gang started arriving and we had a fabulous meal outdoors with a Lake View at Romona’s- best restaurant in town! Good food and beautiful view .
Dinner in McCall
June 13-
Today we decided to hike to Boulder Lake. Seven of us took off on this adventure. I took my directions from the internet and we followed them – 2 cars – 7 people and got totally lost! Spent 2 and a half hours driving and finally found the trail head. Lesson – Talk to locals to get directions- cannot believe the directions you sometimes get on Internet. We were 20 minutes away from trail-head at our hotel! All was not lost- great scenery and a fun adventure and we got to the Trail head! We had a wonderful hike to Boulder reservoir then headed up the hill to the lake. We ran out of time and did not make it to the lake, but all was perfect regardless as we out in nature and loving the scenery.
The Reservoir
John And Kathy
We had an adventurous day – getting lost, hiking and being with good friends. The world we were immersed in was carefree and full of laughter and comradeship. Life is good- we are blessed -We are grateful for these wonderful moments together.
Had another great dinner at Romona’s- Now 12 of us there and then headed to hotel for our welcome talk and preparation for The salmon River by Oars.
Cathy and David- friends, travel companions and adventurers
We were met by Barry – our leader for the next 6 days and Amanda who works for OARS. Barry gave us an overall picture of our next 6 days on the river and all the information on what to expect in the morning. He then passed out our dry bags and sent us off to pack and prepare for our trip. We are all very excited!
June 14
Today we are up and packed by 7:00am. We headed to the airport across the road to catch our flights to Salmon. This flight was one of the highlights of my trip. It was a 1 hour flight over rural Idaho was spectacular. We viewed Cascade Lake, Boulder Lake( where we had just hiked the day before) and snow capped mountains. There were rivers, creeks and farms below.
Our planes that transported us to Salmon
The gang is ready to fly!
View of snow covered Boulder Lake
Just breath taking views!
After our flight we were transported to our Take out area Corn Creek on a yellow school bus. That was quite a ride on a bumpy dirt road. When we got to Corn Creek we met our guides. Becky, Codye, Christi and Art.We instantly felt comfortable with them and over the five days learned what a great crew they are! Our leader Barry was the best river rafting leader we have ever experienced. He is a humble, quiet leader with so much information, knowledge and expertise of the river it was a pleasure listening to him and being on the river with him.
Art,Becky, Codye,Barry,Christi and Amanda
We received our safety instructions, Life jackets, and helmets and off we floated for 13 miles. Our first night at Devil’s Teeth campsite was wonderful and for dinner we had Salmon! How apropos!
First night at camp- waiting for dinner.Our beautiful beach - first night camping.
June 15- Friday
Our beautiful beach - first night camping.
Up at 7am for a fabulous French Toast breakfast with fruit and bacon. This morning we rode on the Dory with Barry. We stopped at an incredible Hot Springs to soak. It was built by the Smith Brothers and named Barth Hot Springs. It was a very cool place to take a hot tub!
After stopping for lunch John and I decided to kayak in the double kayak. What a thrill kayaking this river. Very exciting an exhilarating. I was delighted that we managed to stay in the kayak!
We camped at wonderful beach called Magpie. The guides whipped up a lasagna for dinner. After dinner we had a great time playing Horseshoes and Glow Bocce Ball. Lots of fun!
Hiking up to Barth Hot spring
Soaking in the tub!
June 16, Saturday
Up at 6 am today! John decided to do a single kayak today and I went in the paddle boat with Becky. I liked the opportunity to choose different rafting experiences everyday. We had a number of large rapids today and we were on the river for only 1 and half hours then came to camp. Today we will do some hiking and hang on land for the day. We took a walk to a where Barry had friends – a couple named Sue and Gary . It was very interesting seeing how this couple lives entirely off the land far from civilization. They were so happy to show us around their property and tell us their story.
Hiking to Sue and Gary's farm farm
Poppies in the garden.
Walking about the vegetable garden.
Gary's studio where he makes knives.
Sue on the left and Gary with dog joined us for a group picture.
View of river walking back to camp.
After our hike I had time to sit and paint, meditate and enjoy the sounds of the river, people talking and laughing, and I was able to breathe in the peace of being on a river. River rafting is such a mesmerizing and immersing experience. To be on the river is such a special way of moving out of the world we are always experiencing and leave it all behind. Here we can reflect on nature and life is slow, it is spiritual and gives a us a new perspective of life and our place in life. Once on the river there is no turning back until we reach our destination. This is a Quote about the river that I love “The river has taught me to listen; you will learn from it, too. The river knows everything; one can learn everything from it. You have already learned from the river that it is good to strive downwards, to sink, to seek the depths.
– Herman Hesse (1877-1962), Siddharta, 1922
June 17- Sunday and Father’s day
The guides made a special pancake breakfast in honor of Father’ s Day. We all reflected on the blessing of Fatherhood then packed up and got back on the river.
The girls wishing the Dad's Happy Fathers Day
The dad's celebrating Father's Day
Today John decided to take the kayak again and I paddled. We started out with a couple big rapids then hit Elk-horn. This is a long and rocky rapid and John got thrown out of his kayak at the top of it. Being in the paddle boat we were , also the rescue boat. It was scary watching John bopping in and out of the water hanging on to his oar and kayak the whole way. With Becky’s expertise we paddled over to John and got him up on our boat. He was cold and tired, but after 5 minutes he was ready to get back in that ducky and paddle some more. He was not going to let the river beat him!! We stopped for lunch and a hike up to Jim Moore’s Place. He lived here 40 years selling beef, hides and vegetables to Thunder Mountain Mine.He died in 1942 and is buried on his property.
Becky's triumphant after saving John
Hiking up to Jim Moore's Place- a gorgeous meadow!
Jim Moore's Cabin
Preserved cooking and building tools.
The grave site
Back on the river after a nice break and heading for Buckskin Bill’s for ice cream! Here there is a private museum and store which opens during the summer months. Buckskin Bill was a colorful character with many stories who made his home here on the river.His real name was Sylvan Hart.
Arrival to Buckskin Bill's
Entrance to store and museum
House Buckskin lived in-Part of the museum
Leaving Buckskin Bill’s we headed for our camp which was called Mann creek. We had a gorgeous sunset here.
Sunset
June 18- Monday
After another fun evening and great dinner we woke to cloudy skies with a bit of wind. This morning Barry gave a great talk on the history of how this river and many of our Parks were able to be preserved for the public due to the efforts of many wonderful men and women that explored these areas an spent their lives lobbying so future generations would be able to enjoy wilderness as they did.
Our Morning Talk.
Barry telling us about the way it was.
After breakfast and packing up we all dressed warm and took our places on the rafts. No kayaks today.This was the big day for rapids and it was a fun and fast ride down to our lunch stop. Unfortunately the weather was getting colder and more clouds appeared as we traveled the river.We made a stop at Polly Bemis Ranch. Polly was sold by her Father in 1853 to a San Francisco company who took her from China and sold her agin to a Chinese miner. Eventually she gained her freedom and married Charlie Bemis and they moved to ranch in 1894. She lived here on the river until she died in in 1933.
The house Polly Bemis lived in on the Salmon river
We stopped for lunch at California Beach. It was raining and we huddled under a tarp and umbrella. The sun came out for a moment and Barry decided we should set up camp for the night and get tents up. Good decision on his part as within 15 minutes of setting up a downpour began and it lasted 2 and on half hours. Meanwhile our wonderful guides were making us hot chocolate and cream of potato soup!! So good for our soul and body to have those warm drinks and our guides to make them!
Setting up tarp preparing for rain
We survived the rain and cold and had fun doing it!!
A wonderful rainbow to delight all!
The sun appearing at 6pm- just in time for dinner.
So we were able to have our last dinner with a rainbow overhead. Art grilled us the best steak ever and Chisty, Codye , Barry and Becky came through with salad, garlic potatoes and an apple cake! What an amazing crew! We were in bed at 10 pm and it rained after we were asleep! How blessed are we?
Next day we were up packed and off on our last adventure with some great rapids and a lovely ride to our put out. So sad to say goodbye and full of wonderful memories. Thank you to OARS and Our wonderful crew for a great time. I have to mention Amanda who was on the trip with us. She works in the main office and was here to help and check out the river. She was gracious, fun, helpful in every way and loved much.
Codye hauling in the raft.
Codye holding the tarp up
Becky getting blown up! You had to be there!
Art and Becky and Codye ,Barry, Christy and Amanda . The whole crew- The greatest people creating a river experience for you!