The Animas River Days, a weekend celebration of the Animas River, kicked off Friday evening with a raft parade. I think there were about sixty boats and lots more kayaks.
Dory men led the parade. These dories are used to go down the Grand Canyon, and they’re the same type of wooden boats as the ones used by Major John Wesley Powell when he led the first geographic expedition through the canyon in 1869. Dory men are the most radical whitewater enthusiasts. They are extreme pilots.
Water people and their dogs all wear PFDs (personal flotation devices, or life preservers).
College kids don’t. (Q and A in newspaper - Q: What is the most unusual sight you’ve ever seen on the river? A: A raft without beer.)
The people on the bridge with me thought this cupcake had zero chance of making it through Smelter rapids.
And there they go floating down the river from their mass start, everyone paying attention to the first stretch of rapids ahead.
what a nice way to spend a weekend.looks like so much fun!
So…did the cupcake make it??? That looks like soooo much fun on a beautiful weekend day. Thanks for sharing your weekend fun with us.
Haha, so how did Mr. Cupcake fare? Cool “parade” and great pictures!
I was told that it was carnage at Smelter Rapids, with half of the rafts overturned. I hope Mr. Cupcake pulled out before then, because he didn’t have a chance.