August 6, 2010, Jackson Hole
Seems so long ago. Our resort has been very relaxing, despite the pesky kids. We asked the concierge to book us for "white water rafting." I did say those words, but what my mind was thinking was "float trip." I knew we were in trouble when they reminded us that absolutely everything will get soaked and we may want a waterproof camera. Despite the fact that all my cameras are degrading quickly (one keeps flipping the picture on the display upside down/right side up a few times a second and the other suffered a cracked monitor cover after a gentle fall onto cement in while its case. Still works, just looks ghetto) I bought a reusable-disposable-waterproof no-zoom film camera for $15. It was a challenge keeping the lens area dry (impossible) and even more difficult to keep one's finger away from the lens while shooting. Didn't see a finger in the viewfinder. We did manage to get a few decent shots and we had them developed and loaded directly onto a cd without bothering to get any prints at a convenient store with a great business model. A photographer hangs out under a tent right by the most dramatic rapids and shoots bursts of the rafts as they go through. The raft companies are in on the deal and refer you to this store in town which has your photos on a computer by the time you get to town. Only $35 for 2 5x7's. I'm sure everybody gets a piece of the action but a very impressive set-up. Without the connection with the raft companies all they have is a guy in a tent taking pictures that nobody will ever see (or buy).
Back to the Snake River, the water was a balmy 50 degrees so you had to sign a hypothermia (and every other risk known to man. I think they forgot "meteor hitting raft") release to go on the trip. Laurie and I both had to row, and if you don't row the raft goes out of control and flips (so we were warned) and we didn't want to have an "out of boat experience" so we rowed as instructed.
We got through the rapids and didn't lose anything. Photographer's finger was cropped out of this photo.
After all the warnings (grab this line if you are going over but don't let go of your oar, this is how to proceed through the rapids out of boat when you miss the line and lose your oar) it wasn't too bad and we stayed aboard, but not dry. Aside from getting splashed with the ice water as you go through rapids, they have little trick holes in the floor of the boat which are designed to drain water out but in a rapid shoot ice water up at you. The rain felt warm by comparison and we were told not to worry about the lightning (covered by release) because it will probably hit the hillside before the river.
How to row with camera in hand? I was rowing during the big rapids so no pictures for you. We bought the photo package but it is being mailed to Florida. For sale: Slightly used reusable-disposable-waterproof no-zoom film camera. Film not included. We saw a bunch of bald eagles but you'll have to take our word for it.Fortunately we could follow up the rafting experience with yoga. We still had sore shoulders the next day for some odd reason. Our legs were pretty tense too from trying to keep us in the raft.
The next day we were off to Yellowstone but that will have to wait until the next email. We are now in Park City, and you will have to wait for that report too.
Regards,
Steve & Laurie
PS: If anyone is having trouble viewing the pictures with these emails or downloading the emails, please let me know.
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