River Rat Chapter 49
| River Rat | |
|---|---|
| Chapter 49 of 63 | |
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| Read this chapter | |
| Time frame | April 5–26, 2001 |
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Location
- Flagstaff
- The Canyon Tours office and back lot
- The girls house
- The Burro and the laundromat next door
Characters
Summary
2001 Grand Canyon Season Opener
Al is still tweaking the roster and the logistics for the first trip and the next one, which will be the wedding trip. Scooter and Crystal will be able to do an expedited turnaround, leaving the dirty gear from this trip behind and grabbing the spare (clean) gear for the next trip; the kids who are still in college will get to clean up the gear from the first trip in time for the subsequent trip.
Scooter gets away to meet Jim at the Burro, and he tells her that he will be on her next trip. Jim expresses interest in switching from GCR to Canyon Tours, but the rafting outfits have an informal 'no poaching' agreement. She realizes that during the next two months they will have three weekends when they will be able to get together alone (and Scooter would have the house to herself).
The trip goes smoothly, with weather warmer than usual for April. Al hikes out at Phantom Ranch, and tells them, "At least this time I know I'm climbing toward happiness, not sorrow."
Crystal, Scooter, and Michelle check out the Baseball Man Water Pocket and verify that it hasn't been trashed. They get to the Diamond Creek Wash takeout and are met by Jeff and Jimmie, and make a quick turnaround for the next trip, which Scooter will be leading for the first half. Trey and Ernie join them as new swampers.
