Red, yellow striated canyon walls, sandy beach inlets, a small boat with no more than ten people for ten days along the Colorado river, makes for astounding views, occasional rapids and makes for deep and lasting connections. The US Park Service limits the number of people on the river at a given time. Then, the internet couldn’t reach the canyons. On our final night, we docked beside the river in a place that turned out to be a river’s outlet during flash floods. In the middle of the night, lightning struck, and a few of our tents became floatation devices and were swept downriver. There is no other way to experience the offshoots of the Colorado River. Pack in only what you absolutely need. Leave no trace. This trip was run through AZRA, Arizona Raft Adventures. Proceeds from sale of photographs go to the Grand Canyon Trust that works on land, water, energy and Native American issues across the Colorado Plateau.