It is Friday morning, the third day of our eight day trip, and our group is up, ready and had the rafts packed a half hour earlier than usual. The big event on today's calendar is the Little Colorado River. The Little Colorado River is a tributary of the Colorado River. Approximately 315 miles long, it provides the principal drainage for the Painted Desert.



During the rainy season it is usually the color of a thick milkshake. But during periods of drought the entire flow comes from a travertine spring with an abundance of minerals which deposit on the bottom of the river. This layer of minerals bleaches the bottom of the river white and gives the river a distinctive turquoise color, much like a swimming pool. The water is also much warmer than the Colorado River.



It was a little cool at first but eventually most of the rafters joined in a group float down the river. Some went down in a train. Some went down solo. Some went down over and over again.



The guides had us wear the life vests like diapers instead of as vests. This gave us more buoyancy and protected our butt and backs from any underwater boulders we might encounter on the ride down.



The Little Colorado is mile 61.25 on our 225 mile journey down the Colorado River. That evening we stopped at a cliffside beach right before Phantom Ranch. Phantom Ranch is the drop off and pick up point for rafters who are doing a partial trip. The next day we will drop off three and pick up two and do some of the most challenging rapids on the river. But until then ... we bask in the sun and enjoy the turquoise blue waters of the Little Colorado.



-Susanita