July '24 Canlife Correspondence - Canyons, Campgrounds, & Cool Dinners
The Scout
We tie the boats to the Tamarisk trunks along the bank and follow the winding path up to the rocky ledge which offers us a better view of the river's features lying just around the corner. We call this "scouting," where we make a plan for our run through a big rapid, get stoked about it, decide if it's over our heads, and generally ramp up the anxiety and/or fun of this adventure.
As we push the brush away from our faces, I hear the roar of the rapid increasing. Reaching the top of the bench, the valley opens up below to reveal the maelstrom of the ancient ongoing battle carving out this magnificent place. Current throws itself unrelentingly against rock and ever so slowly tears through the gradient, millimeter by painful millimeter. This rapid is bigger than I thought and my heart leaps into my throat. It's not the first time my mind wishes for a little bit of the impossible.
"I wish that I could somehow jump forward to the moment when we're through this and laughing in the eddy below," I mutter under my breath.
We take stock of what we see, noting the problem areas from the bottom of the rapid to the top, make our plan A, B, C and maybe even D just in case everything goes sideways. Walking back upstream to the boats, I try to calm my breath, focus on the line I saw and chase away my mental committee screaming "what if" in my mind. I'm here on the brink of a big challenge, wanting to go through it and partially wanting to run away from it in the same moment. The canyon, however, offers only one option.
My old paddling buddy, Edgar, from North Carolina says that you don't need enough courage to run the rapid, just enough courage to peel out from the eddy above it. The river takes care of the rest. Neither malicious, nor benevolent, the river simply does what it does and we have to deal with the consequences.
We all face moments like this in life, when we don't know, can't know, the outcome of the extreme immediacy of our now. It serves up excitement, doubt, hope, and fear in equal portions. So, why do we crave this in our lives either as active participants or as passive spectators? Why do we paddle dangerous rivers? This is on my mind as I get back into the boat and prepare to shove off, not sure that I have a full answer.
When I was a college swimmer at our national championship meet, I used to find a quiet place, a bathroom tucked away at the facility where I could manage my excess nerves and excess hydration at the same time. "What are you going to accept today, Hutch?" I'd ask into the mirror. I wasn't looking for anything more than my best effort, and I'm glad that I usually found it.
I take the first paddle stroke out into the current and line up to where I hoped I needed to be. The big flat pool above the rapid begins to narrow into a down stream V. The green tongue appears, drawing us all into its center of the universe of the now. My mind clears and all that remains is breath, water, and the all engrossing roar.
We can't jump forward and skip the hard parts of life, for what would achieving the safety of the eddy mean without the process of having gone through it?
There will never be a photograph of the Grand Canyon that can adequately describe its depth, breadth, and true beauty. ~ Stephanie Payne
You know that feeling when you've been dreaming about something BIG for nearly half of your life...and then it finally happens?! This river expedition was 25 YEARS in the making! After 20 years of dreaming, 5 years of trying to get a permit through the Grand Canyon NP lottery system, 4 months of planning, and 10 days of intense shopping, packing, sorting, driving and rigging... Hutch and this crazy group of colorful characters just returned from a self-guided, backcountry rafting / kayaking / canoeing trip on the Colorado River through America's Grand Canyon!
TRIP DETAILS:
✅ 14 excited & skilled paddlers
✅ 19 days of river rafting, kayaking and canoeing
✅ 5 18-foot oar rig rafts...loaded!
✅ 3 kayaks, 1 whitewater canoe, 1 SUP, 1 tandem funyak, & 1 inflatable lobster
✅ 280.5 challenging river miles
✅ Tons of side canyon exploration
✅ 100+ degree temperatures
✅ Put in: Lees Ferry >> Take out: Pearce Ferry
What made this trip extra special is that 3 of Hutch's former App State Outdoor Programs college student leaders were in this group -- one of which was the lucky guy who scored the river permit and invited Hutch! If you don't know much about our professional backgrounds pre-Hamlet, we worked in higher education for about 18 years and Hutch taught students how to lead land/water based adventures for several of those years.
Having just returned and unpacked just a few days before sending out this newsletter, it'll be a few weeks before we are able to sort through all the incredible footage...so this is just a small teaser...stay tuned!
Nature Nerds UNITE! Naturalist Apps & Resources
One of the VERY BEST Geology Talks that we've ever heard was from a Park Ranger on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. She blew our minds with what she covered in just 45 minutes! In fact, a university Geology professor came up to her after the talk and congratulated her for teaching him what he'd been teaching students over a full semester. And, this is why we always encourage going to National Park Ranger Programs...
Given Hutch's recent trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, we thought it fitting to dive deep into resources about a natural science that we've fallen in love with over the past decade. Why? Because it is the study of how all of the things we love, explore, and photograph are formed. Geology is a living science because we can see the evidence of what happened in the previous epoch as easily as we can see what happened last week.
We simply can't go anywhere without asking what formed these mountains, why are we finding fossils at 7000 feet, why are the formations in this cave so different than the last, how did this river get here and why is it flowing north, why are the rocks right here different than the other rocks around? All of these answers lie in the study of how the Earth was formed. We tip toe lightly into this subject as we know that many hold spiritual beliefs that are often contrary to scientific theories. But, we can all agree that whether the Earth was formed 4.5 billion years ago, or several thousand years ago, the same geologic forces are at work.
The Granite Landscape: A Natural History of America's Mountain Domes from Acadia to Yosemite - This book was given to us by our volunteer supervisor at Acadia National Park in Maine. We dove into learning about granite and have never been the same since. Cynthia Ocel, we lay all the blame on you for being such a great teacher and supervisor!
Roadside Geology - Made for nearly every state in the US, you can really nerd out by diving into this book series! With detailed color maps and diagrams, learn about the geologic formation of each state through which you travel, uncovering some answers to "how was this area formed?"
Geology Apps - There are a number of apps out there to help you identify rocks, with our favorite being Rock Identifier because it's simple and free. Just snap a picture of a rock and it tells you the rock type, chemistry, formation, mineral content, and more. Lots of great educational tools for kids of all ages within the app as well!
Blogs of the Month: Something New on the Horizon
As a result of our advocacy and educational work with solar energy and our focus on sustainable travel, we were invited to submit a short article for publication titled "Solar Energy on the Go" in the "Midwest Consumer's Guide to the Energy Transition" published by the MREA. https://www.midwestrenew.org/
Written by regional experts and professionals, the Midwest Consumer's Guide is your free, how-to resource for programs, technologies, and practical advice for living more energy efficiently (and saving a ton of money!).
Looking for your dream RV? We have recently started working with RV Trader to publish several RV technical and lifestyle articles per month -- regarding solar system sizing, hitch types, working from the road, finding inexpensive and free camping, and more. Check out this great resource to help you find your first (or next) RV...and learn a thing or two along the way!
Start Planning Your Autumn RV Trip: Find Campgrounds + Free Public Land + Score Sold Out Campgrounds + Road Trip Planning!
For all you planners out there, here's a list of every single solitary campground we've ever reviewed on The Dyrt...all in one place. https://thedyrt.com/member/shari-g/reviews
You'll find inexpensive/free, beautiful, off-grid, remote places -- and occasionally we splurged on something extra special like a hot springs resort. We are always seeking places that are perfect for our 3 S's -- Solar + Starlink + Soul!
Try The Dyrt PRO app for 30-days for FREE and get 4 FREE renewable Dyrt Alerts (to score sold out “reservation only” campgrounds) with your annual membership + all the other amazing features!
P.S. Over the years, we've become personal friends with the amazing couple who started and run this app...meet Sarah Smith & Kevin Long!
In Front of the Mic: Upcoming Seminars
Vintage Camper Trailers ONLINE Boot Camp -- August 23-24, 2024
We are absolutely overwhelmed! There are nearly 5000 people who have signed up for Boot Camp, and 368 have signed up for our Solar 101 for Vintage Campers seminar! P.S. Even if you don't have a vintage, this seminar will help you design and plan a system that works for you.
For all you vintage enthusiasts diving into your own restoration, but don't know where to start...VCT Boot Camp might be just the inspiration you need! Oh, how we wish this would have been around in 2011, when we began working on Hamlet.
Meet experts from the around the country who will discuss everything from how to replace your vintage trailer axle, to the perfect vintage paint job, and much more about bringing these beauties from the past back to life.
Participation is free to all, but a small registration fee gets you access to all of the online content -- to watch and rewatch at your leisure. Use our link AND coupon code CANLIFE to get 20% off a VIP All Access Pass! Now, that's a steal...
America's Largest RV Show - Giant Center, Hershey, PA, September 11-15, 2024
We'll be returning to America's Largest RV Show for 5 days this September! With thousands of the latest RV models, camping gear, and even more people checking out what's new on the lot, it's always an exciting event.
We'll be giving 2 daily seminars about a couple of our favorite topics:
- Tips & Tricks for Exploring America's National Parks
- Six Simple Strategies to Reduce RV Travel Costs
Click here for all the details you need to plan out your time at the RV show. We look forward to seeing many of you again this year! https://www.largestrvshow.com/attend/seminars/
Can't make it to Hershey? Our 2025 RV Show season is beginning to shape up! We are currently scheduled to speak at 5 shows next winter in the Midwest, southeast, and northeast.
Recipe of the Month: Glorious Gazpacho
To beat the summertime heat, we've been sharing some of our favorite no / low cook "cool down" recipes that are simple to prepare and won't heat up your RV during the hot summer months. Most require very minimal cooking, or no cooking at all.
State Mottos: Arizona "Ditat Deus"
Known colloquially as "The Grand Canyon State," Arizona's state motto translates to "God Enriches." With so many natural wonders, including the aforementioned Big Ditch and over 100 million acres of public land, it's been a regular wintertime destination for us. The borders of Arizona stretch into the Sonoran, Chihuahuan, and Mohave deserts, from the staircase terraces along the AZ strip to the "islands in the sky" along the border with Mexico. This stunning state contains countless natural wonders in national, state and tribal areas. Put this state on your destination list, and let it enrich YOU!
Parting Shot - The Loo with a View!
Morning shot of the portable toilet set up (made from surplus ammo cans) that all river runners use while in the canyon, known as the "groover." Its name comes from the indents left on early rafters buttocks during use -- thankfully, there is now a much more comfortable seat!
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