We just got back from what I can only describe as one of the most memorable adventures of our lives—a motorized rafting trip through the Grand Canyon. And grand it truly was.

This journey had been in the works for two years. What began as a dream more than 34 years ago when I first visited the Grand Canyon turned into reality thanks to long planning, excitement, and a wonderfully willing group of family and friends. Klaus, our kids, and I were all-in from the start—and before long, a group of 28 friends and friends-of-friends had signed up to join us on this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Together, we loaded onto two massive 40-foot motorized rafts, accompanied by four incredible crew members—two expert boatmen and two ever-resourceful swampers—ready to float, bounce, and splash our way down 277 miles of the mighty Colorado River.

Day One: Rapids and Revelations

We launched at Lee’s Ferry, and we didn’t have to wait long to be greeted by our first taste of real adventure—some major rapids! The cold, crashing waves hitting us felt wildly exhilarating,  instantly refreshing our senses after the scoring heat while getting ready at the beach. It felt like nature's version of a welcome mat.

Despite the rugged terrain and intense sun, the changing scenery of the canyon kept us mesmerized. Each bend of the river revealed new layers of rock and towering canyon walls that dwarfed us in the most humbling way.

From Strangers to Canyon Campers

Our group was a mix—some seasoned campers and rafters, some complete novices —but the crew guided us patiently, teaching us how to camp and survive in this unique environment. By the end of the third day, we felt like we’d been doing this for years.

Lunches were laid out picnic-style on sandy beaches. That first day, we munched on custom sandwiches with our feet dipped in the cold river, surrounded by canyon walls that felt like ancient sentinels. Somehow food tastes better when it’s served with a side of Colorado River breeze, everyone eating quietly while taking in the  jaw-dropping views.

Setting up camp quickly became an efficient operation. With the help of a “zipper line” system, we unloaded cots, chairs, sleeping bags, and the kitchen gear from the rafts in record time—even when we were tired and sun-soaked.

We soon learned the art of campsite selection. Riverside spots offered breezes, while areas near rock walls provided shelter from flying sand yet stored the heat long into the night. With no rain in the forecast, we all chose to sleep under the stars—and what a marvel show it was. The night sky revealed the Milky Way in vivid detail, with so many satellites crossing the darkness. Later in the night the moon shone so light that we needed no flashlight to see our way to the water. Many of us woke during the night just to gaze in wonder before drifting back to sleep.

To be continued in Part 2: Life on the River and Canyon Magic ….

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