A "Grand" Experience

It has been almost a full year now since I had the rare (probably once in a life time) opportunity to raft the Grand Canyon.  A friend of mine, who is very into "boating" as they call it, was putting together a last minute trip on a permit that one of his friends wasn't going to be able to use.  He jumped at the chance and started recruiting parties to fill the boats.  When he asked me, I was a bit ambiguous at first due to the length of the trip and my inexperience, but rafting the canyon had been a life goal of mine since I saw a National Geographic Special on it as a youth.
To seal the deal "Captain Rob" then showed me some video and photos from a previous trip he had guided. There was one particular photo, that so moved me, that the photographer in me could no longer resist.  Even if that one spot was the only area I could shot, it now seemed worth it.  So despite the risk of taking my "Big" camera and it's many lenses on such a wet and wild adventure, I was in.
I ended up taking nearly 1800 photo's and hours of video.  It was, to say the least, the trip of a life time, for me.  The scenery was overwhelming in many ways.  Around every corner was a new awe inspiring view.  Day after day it continued to saturate my senses, so that I began to numb from the effect, only to have a new more glorious scene snap me back to the reality of it all.
I want to share some of the photos with you.  There are too many to convey in one post, so as I get time I will continue the process.  I hope you enjoy.

Sixteen of us set out from Lee's Ferry just south of Glen Canyon Dam on two "J" rig type of rafts.

Melaine, John and Melanie find out that quick sand is scary.

Until next time.