Clear Creek Rafting

The highlight of our Colorado trip was white water rafting.

We selected Clear Creek Rafting because of its convenient location just 30 minutes outside of Denver.

As you drive west  from Denver, you quickly rise into the gorgeous tree-covered mountains. It's always a treat.

Unfortunately, this winter had low snow in the ski areas, which means lower runoff to the creek.  Up until the day before our trip, we still weren't sure if it would be cancelled due to low water levels.

When we arrived, however, we found lots of other folks happy to fork out $40 for a fast, wet ride through nature.

We geared up, passing on the  optional clothing to stay dry and warm but taking the mandatory life vests.

With Mike and Jacque joining the Beau Jo's bunch-a-lunch crew, we had nine in our group, so we had to split into two rafts of four and five plus guides, to help compensate for the low water level.

Julie and I joined Mike and Jacque in the aunts and uncles raft, while John crewed with our niece and nephews.  It was odd not having our own kids for such a fun time, but they had conflicting job schedules.  At least the Cats In the Cradle song doesn't apply, as we have regularly spent lots of time with them over the years doing this type of thing, and we know they would have loved to be there and will be with us on another trip soon.

Our guide expertly directed us through the rapids and around the large boulder traps that ensnared other boats.  We were doing donuts over rapids while others were trying to just get into the faster waters.  We were an amazing crew that our guide would gladly take out with him any day, or at least that's what he told us, and I'm sure a possible tip at the end had no bearing on his praise. 

About halfway down the river, Colorado skies did what they love to do in midafternoon on a sunny summer day: become ominously dark and start to rain.  We were dressed to get wet in swim suits and tees, so it didn't dampen our spirits. 

At one point we went to shore and hiked back a bit to dive in the brisk water and swim down river to the rafts.  All of us kids enjoyed that, and some of us went two or three times.

All in all, it was a very fun day, and we contemplated making a three hour drive to the Arkansas river to raft another day, but this was to be our only rafting adventure this vacation.  I would like to commend this rafting company for not only having great guides but also including a free photo CD with multiple shots rather than trying to sell us expensive prints.