Rafting-The Main Salmon, Idaho

           
           I am finally getting around to the Main Salmon trip we were able to do in June of 2010.  We decided to go down before the season officially started because it is pretty much impossible to draw a permit during the permitted season so we often opt to go before it officially starts, which = more river trips.  It always comes down to not going on a trip or chancing the weather and we usually choose the later because we would rather suffer some stormy cold days on the river than stay home in our warm, cozy house and besides we're just crazy like that.
              The Main Salmon is one of the most beautiful rivers in my opinion.  Dave and I had done a 10-day trip with our friend Alex down the middle fork that joins up with the Main years ago and were excited to go again.  The group consisted of Dave and I, my Mom and Dad, Dave's brother Dan and friend, Alex and his Dad Ken, Ken and Emily and Heather and Charles.  It was such a sweet group and the weather was a little rainy but otherwise awesome with lots of fun stops along the way checking out historical sites, stopping for ice cream breaks and visiting with other boaters and enjoying hikes along the way.

                   Some highlights of the trip that are memorable would be hiking to a small cottage overlooking the river where a woman and her husband who works for the forest service live.  They have been there for years and are caretakers of the place complete with a large garden, pool and guest house, it was incredible.  They get their mail once a week along with any supplies they need that are flown in, talk about a simple life.  Another highlight was being able to stop and see where Buckskin Bill lived years ago he was a legend on the river and seemed to be quite a quirky guy and a little paranoid.  We also stopped along the way and sat in some hot springs that had been built by some hard workers willing to haul concrete up a mountainside, it was a pretty cool day when we stopped by and it felt so good to relax in the hot water.  We also had a lot of fun playing KOOB in camp and it has become a group favorite of camp games...come to think of it it's actually the only game we play, if anyone knows Dave he is not a fan of board games and thinks they're called that for a reason.  Emily and I did an awesome hike on a ridgeline that was pretty vertical with some incredible views at the top, it was fun to look across the canyon and see Dave and Dan ascending the other steep ridge line.  Rainy nights sitting around the fire eating dutch oven enchiladas.  Spending time with family and friends was definitely the best of all though and we wish we could all get together more often.  Hopefully the next trip will come sooner than later, thanks for all the fun memories everyone!