I drift off into a sleep and dreamt...
I dreamt of rafting the mighty Santa Rosa River during a flash flood all the way to the desert floor – maybe even all the way to the Salton Sea. To pull this off will take planning, skill and much labor on my part.
I quickly put together about 120 pounds of equipment, food and booze. Got to cut down on some of the weight. The climbing equipment was over 40 pounds – including three ropes. Nothing I can shave there. I would need all three ropes. I shaved a few pounds by cutting the food in half. I shaved another pound by drinking a pint of the single malt scotch.
Still, the weight including my raft was well over a hundred pounds. A problem for an old man. I'll just have to do two carries with my pack.
I don't want to talk about the first day except to say, this poor old man who barely can afford his vices, got a real work out.
CaptainTrad in the crows nest aboard the Flying Dutchman. No “Good Ship Lollypop” for Captain Trad.
Ship Provisions.
Port Shangri-La
Dinner in port. Steak,corn on the cob and bake potato
In port waiting for a flash floor to happen. Plenty of thunder, lighting and some rain. Sleep in port, anchored for the night, hoping to catch the frontal wave from a flash flood.
Set sail the next day in stormy weather. No flash flood during night.
The Flying Dutchman headed into port.
Another night, another port.
An unwanted stow away is put ashore.
What the heck is going on TradClimber?
Sailing into another port for the night.
Reflecting back on what a long strange voyage the mighty Santa Rosa River has been!
Stats:
Total time – 8 days along
Total distance rafted – around 600'
All photos by Captain TradClimber on7/6-13/11 in a remote area.
