The Last Leg

Today is the day we finish up our on-rover portion of this project.  It's amazing our last trip was so long ago on February 16.  Back then we figured we'd be finished by the end of February and here we are at the end of March.  What happened?  well, it was a recurrent rendition of the same stories: bad weather, wind, high water, and schedules impossible to reconcile.  Today the planets are all aligned again and we have near perfect weather, suitable water (286 cfs) and Josh, Susun and I can end the way we began.  Although there were times I thought about deviating from we three, I wanted this project to be complete from start-to-finish with Josh and Susun.  It's going to be a great memory for Josh as his river resume grows over the years.  It will be made even more special because the project was notified March 25 that it has been allocated $10,000 in grant funding from fed money passed through something called the RAC Committee via the Forest Service.  Temps today will be the high 70's and will probably feel much hotter on the water--probably will feel like mid 80's to 90 out there.  We will take and drink plenty of water.  In hindsight it's a good thing the last leg will be run on a day like this.  The blackhawks are back and we're almost certain to see one of them soaring above our paddle today.  The cottonwoods are leafing out and the river is gradually putting on its trademark mantle of green.  The water isn't as bone chilling cold as its been on our other three trips.  We won't have to worry about hypothermia today!  We will be making our first trip as a new HAM radio operator; KF7OTE.  This allows us to carry a hand held 2-meter transceiver.  It's another level of "peace of mind."  There are cell phone dead spots on the river.  Now, not to worry.  If we have a problem inone of those spots, we simply call for help via the Mingus HAM repeater.  Cool!

Our Flight Plan today calls for a departure from Camp Verde's Black Bridge before 11 am.  Josh will drive to our home to load gear.  We will travel to Camp Verde and then downriver to Beasley Flats.  We'll call Suzi's Shuttle Service with enough time so she can arrive at Beasley when we do.  We all home to be home by 4 pm but no later than 5.  The toughest part of today's trip is the Diamond S Diversion dam.  It's always been problematic since I first saw it 30 years ago this month.  Old car bodies, broken concrete, jagged re-bar, all the usual suspects.  Now, you have to factor in a jungle of willow trees, too.  Once we're past Diamond S, it's pretty smooth sailing.  There;s some strainers on what everyone calls "the day stretch" but, heck, 200 some people survived there during last weekend's canoe race so we suppose we shall be safe as well.  It promises to be a superb finish to a great project.  Cheers, jp

PS--Back in mid-February the river was running about 200 cfs so we have some what we call "Bonus Water" today.  It will seem positively fluffy compared to the boney water we worked earlier this year.