Day 11: Wed, 6/22: Ridgeway, CO

Day 11:  Wednesday, 6/22:  Ridgeway – White Water Rafting on the Uncompahgre River

We got up early and headed to Rigs shop to go white water rafting (class II and III).  The river was fast-flowing and very cold, about 38 degrees? . This was the first river we’ve rafted on which is not controlled by a dam.  Rather than stretches of calm, slow-moving water followed by thrilling rapids, this river was never calm and slow.  It was continuously fun and challenging, and we did a lot of paddling, as instructed by our guide.  We had a lot of fun and we all got pretty wet, which was perfect on this hot day.

In the afternoon, we drove the motorhome to our next campground, Pa Co Chu Puk campground (still in Ridgway State Park), which has a river and 2 ponds stocked with trout.  In the evening, Andrea and the kids watched a movie in the motorhome while Sam went fly-fishing in the ponds and caught 8 fish!  The lesson he and Sarah took paid off as he was able to cast, set the hook, net them and set them free (catch and release).  It was awesome!  Finally, he found a great fishing spot and he started making plans for fishing with the family the next morning.

Sarah ready to whitewater raft the class II and III San Miguel River near Telluride/Ridgway, CO

We had to constantly paddle this class II and III river.  It was a working boat.

We loved the views, including the Red Rock canyon we went through.