Out of the blue, I received a phone call from an old raft guiding friend. He asked if I wanted to go on a private rafting trip on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. It was a trip that we had almost done when I was 20 years old, but logistics hadn’t worked out. There is a weighted lottery to be able to raft 225 miles of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon… 30 years later my boat came in.
I had been a raft guide for 26 years, and rafting the Grand Canyon is the Mecca for any rafting guide. It’s a multi-day trip and offers huge water and amazing scenery. My husband and I set off to join our friend on what we expected to be a fun adventure. What I wasn’t expecting was the overwhelming spiritual experience. It even topped the decent of Lava Falls. Lava Falls is the biggest rapid on the Colorado, an awe inspiring experience.
Lava Falls
I find it easy to connect with spirit in nature. I can go for a walk in the woods, breathe in the surroundings and can feel I am a tiny part of a something so much bigger. I stand beside the ocean in Vancouver, BC and feel small as the ocean spans before me a massive, powerful life force. I had previously hiked in the Grand Canyon, so I knew it was beautiful. I knew it was awe inspiring and yet rafting the Colorado took it to a completely different level.
It felt like we were the only ones on the river. Only 3-4 groups are allowed to raft the river each day and everyone camps at different locations. It was almost a 3 week expedition with only emergency contact to the outside world. This created a feeling of beautiful isolation and a complete immersion in nature.
Week One
Launch. The challenge was in learning how to use oars. I was a paddle raft guide – which is a completely different way to maneuver a boat. Anticipation of huge water was the excitement.
Slowly the majesty of the canyon settled into me. We read stories of early explorers being unable to climb out of the canyon after their boats had been smashed or capsized – I realized the only way out was down… so I looked up with new eyes. The majesty and unassailability of the canyon walls was awe-inspiring. We could communicate with airplanes via SAT phone in an emergency… A signal would go up to the plane for the 10 seconds it was over the gap in the canyon and they would relay a message to the ranger with the SAT’s location. We, at least had a way out.
Week Two
Hiking up little travelled side canyons, in addition to well traversed trails brought me to another level of appreciation for the vastness of the canyon. There was the tenacity that existed in small plants thriving in a harsh landscape their vibrant blooms were startling. A few rattlesnakes let us know how vulnerable we could be to chance attack. Although the worst attack was by a cactus that I fell on –I was pulling the spines out of my hand for weeks afterward! An effective defence! Nature is humbling and inspiring at the same time.
Week Three
Descent of Lava Falls. It was so thrilling that I ran up and jumped on a second ride. Fun, fun, fun.
I was also feeling confidant as a oarsman to navigate some of the rapids. I was becoming one with the water, the land and myself.
The complete break from all outside contact gave me the time and space to allow for a spiritual connection. Spirit was also “in my face”. When the volume of spirit was so loud, I couldn’t turn it down, there was no option other than to embrace it.
How was it loud? We were living and sleeping in the elements. Our mode of movement was the power of the water. Our surroundings deepened everyday as the river carved into the earth. It was wonderful to let go of all the artificial and now “normal way of life” of an urban Canadian. I felt deeply rested and expansive.
Going into a church, a temple or a mosque, I feel the spiritual peace within the building. I know that spiritual connection exists in nature. However, I had anticipated the highlight of the Grand Canyon would be the excitement and thrill of the big water. The rapids were a lot of fun, however, the far bigger experience was connection with spirit and my own spirituality. This was a powerful reminder to slow down in life to connect with nature and spirit.
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