Smith River, Part 3/4


DAY 3: Lower Bear Gulch to Park Flat (3), 7.9 miles (continued)

Another beautiful day on the river.  The walls of the canyon are not as high, and now interspersed with some rolling green hills.  I think it was on this day that our raft saw the one and only black bear.  He was close to the shore but ran away as we got closer.


    

    







That evening's campsite was on a bend with walls on either side of the river.  Keith had brought a kite which was perfect for such an area with a constant steady breeze, and Austyn had a great time kite flying.

    


Another delightful campfire that evening.  I recall Lane making earthworms for dessert -- chocolate jello pudding cups, blended with oreo cookie crumbs for the dirt, with gummi worms buried in them.  I respectfully stuck with Cold Smoke and whiskey instead.  The other memorable campfire events were a mouse that joined us, and a snake that went near Paul & Christine's tent.

We continued the daily concerted effort to lighten the weight of the gear we brought, especially in emptying the various cans we had with us.




DAY 4: Park Flat (3) to Middle Rattlesnake Bend, 9.5 miles

Another beautiful morning in paradise.  Breakfast is reheated brats and burgers over the campfire.

    




    


    


The river winds its way thru both public and private land, and at this point there is an array of PVC pipe over the river that rafters are instructed to float thru.  There is a barbed wire fence under the water in the river and this is the only safe spot to float over it.  I'm pleased that Paul did not throw me off the raft around here!




    






I had previously mentioned the other raft guide named Crawdaddy.  There was finally a successful throw and recovery of a Modelo beer by Penny, which nearly cost her a swim to retrieve.




Along the banks of the river we saw many Canada Geese and goslings, and ducks and ducklings.  I managed a shot of a Harlequin duck just as it took flight off a rock.