DAY
The sun shines away in the middle of the day,
And we fry on the river so chocolaty.
We burn and we sweat and we long to get wet,
As the raft runs the river so “rapidy”.

RAPIDS
Some sit in the rear where the waves don’t appear,
And some in the bow, where it’s wetter.
Front runners, they holler and they hoot,
And get dunked in the river much better.

NIGHT
In the middle of the night when the moon shines so bright,
We go to the river to pee.
We slip and we slither as we go in the river,
To send our pee way down to the sea.

MORNING
“HOT CAAWFEE!!” goes the cry, resounding through the camp, just after first light, as the stars are disappearing.
Now comes the long reach of the golden dawn, caressing the ramparts above, outlining each crag and pinnacle, illuminating the long shadows. Then, as if on cue, the roar of the rapids enters my consciousness, dominating all my senses. This is Grand Canyon, early morning.

EVENING
Adventures shared! The evening meals consumed. Drinks in hand, we sit, tell jokes, pontificate, prognosticate and exaggerate. Daylight fades rapidly in the Canyon. Soon it is full dark and time for bed, sleeping out or under shelter. I take a few moments of quiet contemplation, and reminisce by the river. This Canyon is so Grand!

Wilfred Elders
Written at Deer Creek Falls, Grand Canyon
August 2003