Do you ever wonder what types of people go on Grand Canyon river trips? All kinds of folks do! But this summer, we’re following Jaime C. and her kids, Harper and Liam, who are 14 years old. They’re from Cedar Park, Texas, and they’ll tell you about their Colorado River adventure, in their own words, from beginning to end! They’re scheduled for an 8 Day Motor trip in July.
Two months before the trip
Harper’s Journal
Three years ago, my mom brought me and my brother on a road trip across America’s West Coast. It was the greatest summer I have experienced so far. On that trip, we visited the Grand Canyon, a national park so renowned for its painted beauty- many see it as overrated. It is not. When we discovered this rafting trip that traveled through this great canyon during the summer before I started high school, I was absolutely thrilled. As we awaited this trip, I envisioned the great adventures that we would encounter- the animals, the scenery, the time we would spend together. I remembered reading that there are around 596 animal species hidden in the grand canyon, and how the vast landscape carved by a river conceals thousands of caves and a multitude of fossils. It all sounded like something straight out of an adventure novel! I can’t put into words how excited I am to visit this once in a lifetime opportunity. I would take this trip over any seasick cruise ship or busy theme park in a heartbeat. This trip is personal. This trip is a real-life adventure. This trip is a brag-worthy exploration. I really can’t wait to start. Harper, Age 14
Liam’s Journal
Last summer, my family and I went to the Grand Canyon to finally see what it was like. After many adventures and hikes around the rim, we drove back to our rental when our friend showed us this video about rafting through the Grand Canyon. All of us, being adventure seekers, were immediately intrigued. After getting home from our trip, it still hadn’t left our minds, so we began to research the trip. We had hope that we would be able to go on this incredible adventure. My mom booked the trip to surprise us. After hearing the news, my sister and I were thrilled and immediately began to remember and envision what was up ahead. When I first saw the video, I saw some clips of rapids that looked incredible, and just roughing it made me thrilled to have an adventure with my family before I went into high school. After so many other adventures, I’ve always looked forward to a possible white water rafting trip. I’m thrilled to add this trip to the memories of all the other things I’ve done with the people I love. I hope this inspires other people to take the risk and enjoy the thrill. Liam, Age 14
Jaime’s Journal
Adventure makes up an immense part of my soul. I think part of why is that I learned at a young age that life is short. My mom died in a car accident when I was 19. She was only 46! At the time, in my adolescent ignorance, I thought 46 was “sooooo old.” This last year was bittersweet as I outlived her. And I realized just how young 47 is! She missed half her life. She also had chronic pain which limited her in what she was able to do in life. For both of those reasons, I pursue adventure and make the most of every single day, almost like I am living for the both of us. We never know when it is our time to go. I have had many adventures already from walking amongst wild mountain gorillas in Rwanda to great white shark cage diving in Mexico. This epic rafting trip exploring parts of the Grand Canyon that most people never get to see is just as exceptional and exhilarating. I can’t wait to share this experience with my kids and adventure together. My mom didn’t get to live fully or long, her death has taught me to love fiercely, chase hope and adventure, dance whenever possible, sing at the top of my lungs, and live fully every day. Jaime, Mom, Age 47
One week before the rafting trip
Liam’s Journal
As we’re starting to get closer to the trip, it’s time for my least favorite part, packing. For this trip we needed a lot of stuff from quick dry clothes to hiking and water shoes. At this point you start thinking a little more about certain things like what the “number two” situation will be for camping and the itinerary for every day. I’m very excited though for the many hikes and swims throughout the time of the trip and the different creatures we could see. Over all this trip, even with the bathroom situation , looks like a once in a lifetime opportunity for fun and adventure and hope others get inspired by me to take a chance like this and see the beauty of our planet. Liam, Age 14
Jaime’s Journal
This is getting real! We’ve been dreaming about this trip for three years. We’ve been imagining all of the excitement, the white water slapping our faces, hiking in the glorious canyon. We are about a week away, starting to prepare and pack. Getting our special Nalgene water bottles and carabiners. As my kids and I pack up our duffel bags, we are wondering what it will really be like to sleep under the stars, muscles aching from the adventure from each day. We laugh about going to the bathroom outside, and wonder if we will all stink because of no showers. Mostly we believe the deep connection we make with other humans while exploring natural beauty together will be life giving to our souls! That’s what makes any challenging part of this trip so very worth it! Jaime, Mom, Age 47
Harper’s Journal
I am beyond excited about the rafting trip, from the moment we decided to do it, it has been all I can think about! I have never been camping before, and this trip describes pleasant hikes, refreshing swims, and sleeping under the stars- all while inside the largest canyon in America. As the weeks have inched closer and closer to the trip, we have begun obtaining objects like quick-dry clothes, durable water bottles, duffel bags, and any other items which we may need while inside the canyon. Now that we’re ready in terms of supplies, it has really begun to sink in that this trip is only weeks away. The idea that we get to partake in an adventure like this is truly amazing! I can’t place any worries or trepidations for our coming journey, only disbelief that we actually GET to do this and ELATION! As I sit, waiting impatiently in my house, my mind is off on a rafting adventure through one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World, Arizona’s Grand Canyon. Harper, Age 14
After the river trip!
Jaime’s Journal
Words are inadequate to fully capture the magic, wonder, majesty, complimentary colored red-orange rocks and jade green river. The canyon walls were so stunning, I couldn’t take my eyes off of them. The rapids with refreshing slaps to my cheeks caused me to laugh out loud joyfully! The tangible peace in that canyon remains with me still. It was fascinating to learn about the history of the First Nations who dwelt there and the many brave explorers and adventurers who also fell under the canyon’s spell. Our guides were so knowledgeable, friendly, and fun! They made the trip special, not to mention the most delicious food! I definitely didn’t feel like I was roughing it with those meals. Beginning this trip with strangers but ending as life long friends was one of things I will most treasure from our journey together. I can’t wait until I can get back on river time and I would definitely say that out of all of my trips around the world, this is absolutely in the top 3! Jaime, Mom, Age 47
Harper’s Journal
WOW. This trip does not disappoint. I don’t know how I can put into words the 8 days we spent on the river, but here are some of my favorite memories:
The waterfalls, hikes, rapids, and stops:
These are the definition of beauty and joy! Always so fun, so fulfilling, and so beautiful! If I had missed a single one of these stops there is no doubt that I would highly regret it. (My favorites were Saddle Canyon, Havasu, and Pumpkin Springs.) On a second note, the rapids were amazing! The boat went from a peaceful drift to a wild ride in a matter of moments. The rapids were some of my favorite parts of this trip and I loved getting to ride the waves at the front of the boat as often as possible!
The wonderful people!
Both the hilarious, knowledgeable, and helpful guides as well as my fellow guests were very very pleasant to be around. Each person had their own story and memories to share, and the community between your group grows so fast into what can become lifelong friends. I learned so much from the people that I rafted with, and I had so much fun with all of them!
The Grand Canyon Scenery:
The icy, jade green Colorado river which traces its way through the canyon contrasts so beautifully with the tall, red stony walls. The overall scenery was breathtaking and never got old! Surprisingly, it also often changed! From smooth, rolling stone hills along a wide plateau to tall, black gorge walls intricately decorated with basalt pillars formed by erosion- the landscape was wonderful to behold. (Not to mention the caves and other stops which added to the beauty)!
Silly memories!
While in the canyon, making friends is inevitable, no one can avoid it! With these friends, happy stories and silly memories are bound to come into the making, here are some of mine: The corn dog race (a race in which people jump in the river, run up a sandy hill, roll down the sandy hill, and jump back into the river! This was incredibly fun despite the excessive amount of sand!! I would do it again every day if I could!), The Super Adventure Squad (along with myself and my brother, there were three other kids around our age in the canyon with us. Upon meeting and going on a couple initial adventures together we decided we needed a name for our troop. Thus the super adventure squad was born, (though many contested this name it always seemed to stick) and after the trip was over, we stayed in contact with the squad!, Game Tournaments (as mentioned previously, the super adventure squad did most things together, one day, as it was getting dark, we decided we would start a daily tradition of playing uno, telling stories, telling riddles, or even betting on Doritos chips in a poker game every night as it began to get dark. This was hilarious and so fun!), and finally the Prout (the prout was a fictional fish which one of our guides pranked us with. It was supposedly a cross of the Colorado river trout and the hungry piranha fish. Further antics involving tales of the prout continued to ensue after we finally convinced one of friends that they indeed were not real…or were they???).
The Learning experience
Finally, when on the river, you learn so much! The guides are experts in canyon geology, archaeology, wildlife, culture, and history. You learn hands on with the experiences you accumulate and you learn so much from just listening as well. I walked away from this trip knowing a lot more about a lot of things than when I started.
So. In short. Take. This. Trip. It is 100 percent worth it, 5 stars across the board. You will never forget it. I highly recommend the Grand Canyon Whitewater company and I highly recommend going to it with an open mind. This trip is different, true, but it is exceptional and if you choose to go, you will have the time of your life. You won’t want to leave when you dock at the end. I know I didn’t. Harper, Age 14
Liam’s Journal
After taking my trip through Grand Canyon I have come to find that nature is grand and with every chance you should go explore. Through the many winding rivers and roller coaster like rapids I found wonder and fun in this mighty canyon. I highly recommend this trip to any young adventure seekers and adrenaline junkies like my self, we went cliff jumping and hiking through so many slot canyons I couldn’t even count them. My point is don’t back off from this trip just because you don’t like to sleep outside or you hate the heat. With some Grand things, pun intended, you have to take the good with the bad and enjoy the fun more than the uncomfortable. Take this trip, enjoy this wonder, and learn to live and care for nature a little bit more. Liam, Age 14