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Raft Grand Canyon, 22 to 28 August 2004 Day 2: Downstream of Redwall Cavern to upstream of Lava Canyon Rapid Captain Ken and the crew got an early start, and coffee was ready at first light. Breakfast was fruit, sausage, eggs, and pancakes. Emily and I slept great, but this was not unexpected since we were very tired having driven 760 miles the previous day in record time, arriving very late to the hotel. It was windy and sunny all day with minor clouds and before lunch we had been through quite a few rapids and passed by the Bridge of Sighs and the Anasazi Bridge. Emily and Spencer had a lively discussion regarding the layout and architecture of Venice, home to the Bridge of Sighs. Around lunchtime we stopped at the Nankoweep Area (mile 52.2) and explored some more ruins after a short but steep hike followed by lunch back at the boat. After lunch we encountered scientists on the right bank studying the effects of non-native fish. Ken pulled the boat over and one of the scientists gave an interesting talk. After leaving the scientists we picked up another passenger, a small bird that eventually took to sitting on peoples heads and at one time landed on my arm. Around the same time that we were all enthralled with the bird we passed the Little Colorado River (mile 61.4) and salt deposits on some left bank cliffs. That night we camped upstream of Lava Canyon Rapid at a spot with many small secluded sites but not the soft sand from the previous night. That was of little consequence, however, since the sleeping pads provided by Canyoneers offered all the comfort we needed, even if we had slept on solid granite. Captain Ken told me of an abandoned mine so Spencer, Taylor, Emily and myself checked it out. Prior to our grilled halibut dinner we shared in some wine that Bob and Karen brought along and found out that Emily used to work with Bob's niece, Jehnee, at Chez Panisse.
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