Almost Got Stuck

I just returned from 8 days rafting in the Idaho wilderness. Swimming ten times a day in a wild, cool river to get out of the heat, learning to navigate a raft through rapids, and enjoying great company and great views. It all kept me busy and happy.

On our last day we noticed the river was full of sediment. It turned out that rafters mere days behind us on the Middle Fork were stuck by a surprise landslide that sent dozens of trees in the river, blocking the way. It was well reported by The Idaho Statemen, a Boise newspaper. Check out their articles for pictures, movies, and details.

Middle Fork Diving

Jumping of the bridge
Originally uploaded by griles.

Middle Fork of the Salmon River

For the next eight days, I will be on a three-person raft floating down the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in central Idaho with 12 Idahoans. This flows north from Stanley, ID through the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, the second largest wilderness area in the lower 48s, to the main branch of the Salmon. The Salmon flows into the Snake near the western edge of Idaho, and eventually into the Columbia just East of the Gorge.

My hosts with be the Marvels. Johanna is an old friend from Grinnell, Adam is her older brother and lives and acts in London, Jon is her father, a retired architect who runs the Western Watersheds Project, and Stephanie is her mother. They have rafted this river together more than 8 times.

Look forward to sharing some photos and maybe a plant or bird list when I get back.

Molly and Noah's Wedding

Originally uploaded by griles.

Concopia, Wisconsin. June 25th.

Boat tour through the Apostle Islands, wiffle ball on the beach, raising the huppa, meeting Noah's high school friends, and listening to the two best wedding toasts. And, of course, a powerfully genuine and personal Jewish wedding of two of my closest friends.