A River Family is special because a six-day rafting trip off-the-grid on the Salmon River requires a group to be incredibly aligned.
Of course, there is the preparation of timing and food, but most important is the fluidity of the group around safety and a tolerance for the often-outrageous behavior that is certain to arise at some point. It usually begins right away on the boat ramp where personalities and patience are tested rigging the rafts, last ditch efforts to answer “do we have enough (fill in the blank)?," the coveted Ranger safety talk before pushing off (no questions allowed), and the perpetual question of “how far are we going today?” At this point, everyone is on their own until you have launched and once that happens you take a deep breath, release, and smile. There is no better feeling than checking out for a week. No phone, no emails, no accessibility–it’s just you, the river, and your River Family.
River Families have to coexist on all levels. Silence is comfortable, sarcastic strikes are deflected for laughter, tears are accepted, and celebrations are welcome. We’ve re-done wedding vows, had major children’s tantrums (the yellow fleece), celebrated birthdays, had cars breakdown en route, and risked a few trips with the injured. One year we pushed off and the river closed the very next day due to forest fires. Watching the canyon ridges burn, not being able to see around river bends because of the smoke, knowing no one was behind you, and the occasional “hot shot” cooling off in the river was all a little eerie, especially in a rubber vessel.
This year, none of us were rewarded a permit for the summer months, which is always a bit discouraging because it usually means the younger River Family members head back to college or cannot get time off from their young careers. So, we pivot to after the permit season and accept the unforeseen elements–cooler mornings, colder water, thunderstorms, and tents vs. poco pads on the beaches.
Recently, we were determined to make a trip happen. We were missing a few OG River Family regulars, but over the years three families have maintained some consistency and we’ve added a couple four-legged friends in the mix. We usually convince a surrogate or two to hop on and test their interest in becoming a future River Family member. Majority vote is mandatory.
Once again, the “River of No Return” rewarded us with all its imagination and natural beauty–perfect weather, a little rain in the evenings, a momma black bear with two cubs, hot springs, recounting the history from the guide book, and, of course, the memories and stories we have experienced over the years–including the wood chipper!
River Families are tied together by a special bond. Sometimes words can't explain. But, they are the best!
On The River
