This year, our Venturing Crew went on two high adventures. The first was a rim-to-rim-to-rim backpacking trip in the Grand Canyon. The second was a rafting trip down the Gila River in New Mexico on our homemade rafts. Here are the plans for the rafts:
We made the rafts at Rob Sorensen's yard and finished them up at our yard. Here is a picture of some of the rafts in front of our house:
The rafts were loaded, and then we drove down together in a 15-passenger van:
When we got to the launch site (Grapevine Campground, N 33° 10.802' W 108° 12.394'), we attached the pontoons and secured our gear.
I was one of the first ready to go. The scouts said my tubes looked like clown feet. The Gila River is extremely warm due to numerous hot springs that feed the river. The water temperature was about 70 °F.
Sam's boat was a unique design. Sam made sure each of his girls signed the boat:
Here is Sam's favorite autograph, from Sara Hardy:
This is a dream photograph of Sam and Sara:
Sam leaving the launch site:
Our first campsite was at an old homestead. We found this lost dog who was hours away from being eaten by wolves.
Sean Naegle adopted the dog and named him Gila Baegle. Since the boys had to have both their lifesaving merit badges and their swimming merit badges, we had to give the dog a swim test. We threw him into the river, and Baegle passed the test and was allowed to raft with Naegle.
The second camp site was next to a cliff with small caves.
Dillon Moss looked like a pirate from the Caribbean.
A dainty flower growing out of solid rock cliff:
A brush with death. Landon Yarrington went upside down under water for about 10 seconds before we saved him:
The scenery was awesome. Hope to do this trip again!
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