Green River Photo Album, Days 7-9

“I come into the presence of still water. And I feel above me the day–blind stars waiting with their light. For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.” ~Wendell Berry

Day Seven — Mile 15.5 Sand Bar Island to Mile 8 Sand Bar, 7.5 miles

IMG_5111

We are now about two thirds of the way down the river from our put in spot of Mineral Bottom, heading toward the Confluence, where the Colorado and Green Rivers converge.

IMG_5120

As we enter this final third stretch of river, the canyon walls get higher and more narrow.

IMG_5130

Vast views of bluffs and red rock foundations are now more “up close and personal” with an intimate experience with the canyon in between dramatically sculpted walls.

We stop to get out and stretch our legs with a short hike at Jasper to see more ruins.

We stop to get out and stretch our legs with a short hike at Jasper to see more ruins.

This one was in pretty good shape, but only one that we could find.

This “ruin in the round” was in pretty good shape, but the only one that we could find.

IMG_5144

With shade so limited and the temps still unseasonably high, often times the only relief came from the river.  Here, BJ relaxes in the water along the shallow bank.

With shade so limited and the temps still unseasonably high, often times the only relief came from the river. Here, BJ relaxes in the water along the shallow bank.

Afternoon amusement comes in the form of wading upriver and floating back down again repeatedly.

Afternoon amusement comes in the form of wading upriver and floating back down again repeatedly.

Camp at the 8 mile mark.  For reference, the Confluence, where the Green and Colorado meet, marks Mile Zero.

Camp at the 8 mile mark. (For reference, the Confluence, where the Green and Colorado meet, marks Mile Zero.)

Day Eight — Mile 8 Sand Bar Island to the Confluence, 8 miles

Kathy, making the last "stretch" stretch.

Kathy, making the last “stretch” stretch.

As the canyon walls get steeper, the reflections get even more compelling.

As the canyon walls get steeper, the reflections get even more compelling.

An ice halo around the sun, peeking over a cliff.  This is my first time seeing such a "rainbow" around the sun.

An ice halo around the sun, peeking over a cliff. This is my first time seeing such a “rainbow” around the sun.

We have now reached the Confluence where the muddy brown water swirls into the deep green of the Colorado.  Unfortunately, none of my photos adequately show the swirls in the water as what looks like chocolate milk flows into olive juice.

We have now reached the Confluence where the muddy brown water swirls into the deep green of the Colorado. Unfortunately, none of my photos adequately show the swirls in the water as what looks like chocolate milk flows into olive juice.

Our pick-up point, which is also our final camp is just a couple of miles down from the confluence, now on the Colorado River.    All the boats are pulled out of the water and scrubbed clean.  Unfortunately, a big sandstorm blows in shortly thereafter.

Our pick-up point, which is also our final camp is just a couple of miles down from the confluence, now on the Colorado River. All the boats are pulled out of the water and scrubbed clean. Unfortunately, a big sandstorm blows in shortly thereafter.

Sunrise near the Confluence Camp.  I am grateful it is the last morning I have to try to tame the contents of the "exploding tent."

Sunrise near the Confluence Camp. I am grateful it is the last morning I have to try to tame the contents of the “exploding tent.”

Our "taxi," Tex's Riverways Jet boat arrives.  Kayaks and gear will be loaded on the jet boat for the 2 hour ride back up the Colorado River.

Our “taxi,” Tex’s Riverways Jet boat arrives. Kayaks and gear will be loaded on the jet boat for the 2 hour ride back up the Colorado River.

The jet boat ride is a bonus, as it is a great ride through some unbelievable scenery.

The jet boat ride is a bonus, as it is a great ride through some unbelievable scenery.

I sure hope it is not the "Red Hat Society" again!

I sure hope it is not the “Red Hat Society” again!

The competition, another river outfitter based in Moab, on their way to pick up clients.

The competition, another river outfitter based in Moab, on their way to pick up clients.

I find the scenery up the Colorado side to be equally beautiful as the Green River, if not more so.

I find the scenery up the Colorado side to be equally beautiful as the Green River, if not more so.

It is possible to kayak down the Colorado River side, but there is obviously much more motor traffic, as only NPS motorized craft are allowed on the Green.

It is possible to kayak down the Colorado River side, but there is obviously much more motor traffic, as only NPS motorized craft are allowed on the Green.

IMG_5227 IMG_5237

We reach the boat dock at Potash Road, but we do not have to unload the kayaks.  They will drive the jet boat onto the trailer, and drive it back to Moab, while we ride in the school bus.

We reach the boat dock at Potash Road, but we do not have to unload the kayaks. They will drive the jet boat onto the trailer, and drive it back to Moab, while we ride in the school bus.

Despite the heat, the sleepless nights, the frustrating hurdles, as soon as I lifted the paddle to part the glints of sunlight on the surface, all was right with the world...

Despite the heat, the sleepless nights, the frustrating hurdles, as soon as I lifted the paddle to part the glints of sunlight on the surface, all was right with the world…

To be continued….Next up, some final reflections on the trip…

18 thoughts on “Green River Photo Album, Days 7-9

  1. Beautiful pictures. I hope this week has been as full of beauty as last week was. (And I’ll finish getting my gear cleaned up sometime before BJ gets home! 😉 )

    • John, that was one incentive about living in the Winnie– I couldn’t move until I cleaned it all up and put it away! 😉

    • Thanks, Mi Amiga — Aren’t blogs great where we can visit with friends virtually? I am looking forward to enjoying sunsets from the Isla soon!

  2. Love the canoe bow shot with the reflections. Its really stunning scenery but I’m sure the high temps would see me off. It would be a for certain thing that I would be in the water. I’ve just read a blog post where they hiked the Grand Canyon rim to rim and one of the comments was ” May you rise like a golden biscuit from the Canyon floor” !

    • Dave, that makes me laugh out loud! I had a reservation to hike rim to rim last June, but had to cancel it when I went back to Texas. Probably for the best, as I think I would have been one “brown biscuit!” haha!!

Leave a Reply to Suzanne Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *