Penny's Larks and Yarns (P.L.A.Y): Canoe Trip on the Green River

It was an ADVENTURE for me to join friends Tish and Elena on a five-day canoe trip on the Green River in Utah. Since I had very little previous canoe paddling experience this was a big "What if I can't?" plunge!!
The three of us met in Moab, Utah for an overnight and met the outfitter and the rest of the group of 20 the following morning. Visiting, breakfast, packing our dry bags (we brought our own tents and sleeping gear), and the assignment of paddling partners started the day and soon we were rattling off in the back-country vans to where we put in the Green at, where else? Green River, Utah!

Tish, her daughter Elena, and Penny, ready to go!

I was very fortunate to be chosen as a paddle partner by Marlene, a lovely grandmother from Chicago who has paddled (kayaks and canoes) all over the planet and is a real pro. Was she ever a patient teacher!!!

Marlene enjoying a quiet float

We had such a good time---from quietly paddling along not feeling the need to chat to talking about our grandchildren and our travel experiences.

Marlene showing me how to tie-down the gear in our canoe

The river was low, because of the dry season, so we had to paddle nearly all of the sixty scenic miles through Labyrinth Canyon. "How many paddle strokes might that be?", Travis asked when I was relating tales of our trip. The water was slightly cool so when we got too hot in the canoe we could just stop and have a dip in the river---clothes and all. That would keep us cool for a while in the 100-105 degree heat.

Taking a cooling dip in the muddy Green

We also had water blasters so we could squirt (shoot?) each other while on the river, which was great silly but cooling fun for twenty adults plus three guides. It was such a wet sport that I have no photos but if you'd care to come to Silverton I'll let you "play" with my blaster!

About four o'clock each afternoon we would beach our canoes, unpack all the gear (each of our two-person canoes carried a pro-rata share of the group gear, including 150 gallons of water!), pitch our tents and then relax until the three-person crew called us for wine and appetizers. What an easy way to camp!!
The food was amazing---first night after cold shrimp and various munchies with our wine we had grilled salmon, barbequed ribs, green beans, rice pilaf, and brownies!!! My favorite breakfast was the day we enjoyed Huevos Rancheros with piles of bacon...or maybe it was the blueberry pancake day...they came with more blueberries and syrup, scrambled eggs with chives, pineapple chunks, bacon, and orange wedges.

Canoes pulled up for the night

Guides preparing dinner on their "canoe" tables

One of the great parts of the day was bathing in the river after making camp. The routine was to get into your swim suit and head into the muddy river (North Dakotans: think the muddy Missouri!) with your bar of bio-degradable soap. Now you need to know that the combination of water heavily laden with silt and soap that doesn't hurt the environment does not really cleanse! However, it felt good to have someone scrub your back (I think the silt worked as a scrubbing abrasive!) and for me, washing my hair was the best. Of course, when it dried it felt rather sticky but it didn't matter at all for I never saw a mirror for five days!

Bathing in the Green after a very warm day

Our guide Heather---she doesn't even look silty! See how muddy the river looks?

A folk group from Chicago, a couple, known as "Small Potatoes" joined our trip and entertained in the evening, which was great fun. Rich and Jacquie were a great addition to the trip.

Small Potatoes entertaining after dinner

When we were en route we would string out along the canyon walls of the river. That way we could

Marlene catching a few winks before paddling one morning

sometimes catch a bit of current for floating so our arms and shoulders could rest and we could enjoy the great read cliffs and beautiful scenery.

The red rock cliffs were stunning

The end of the day on the river---totally serene

Our final day on the river was a Sunday. That morning we lashed our twelve canoes together and enjoyed an inspirational time, with music and singing as we floated on the elusive bit of current, as well as some spoken bits. It was a memorable way to end the river trip.

Tish, looking relaxed

Music on the river

Jim, guide, preparing to recite Robert Service

Elena, catching some rays (or was it winks?)

By the end of the trip I had a new understanding of some of Lewis and Clark's struggles as they worked their way west. We needed to tow or push our canoes over the gravel in a few spots where the water was too shallow to float us and I managed to fall in a hole while doing so---something of a surprise! Our final paddle was across the Green to the take-out at Mineral Bottoms, which is west of Moab. We all heaved to and hauled the canoes up the bank, sorted the gear, and were ready to load the shuttles when they arrived.