I cleaned out my spot in the girl shack. took my pfd, my guide stick and rest of my gear and stuck it in the back of my truck. the boat yard was empty and silent. evening storm rolled by and everyone was gone. wind blew empty beer cans around the yard.

I got into my truck and drove off. my heart sinking a little from saying goodbye to the family I’ve been with for the past couple months. saying good bye to the boat yard.

our summers are so short.

641 cfs.

fantastic.

life.

i don’t want this summer to end. I don’t want to leave this tribe of dirt bags. the tribe of raft guides. we all smell bad, we make fun of each other, we get drunk together and we pick up the pieces of our hang over all over the boat yard. we trade boats and play shitty tricks on each other. then pay in beer to make up for it. and have a good laugh about it.

I’ve only had 1 swimmer this season. and I haven’t swam myself once this year. I’m improving.

we did an R1 mission the other night. it’s amazing how easy it is when you don’t have anyone in your boat.

priceless. priceless memories. priceless life.

as I got bumped from a boat this morning, I was delighted. I have been aching to get a day off to rest my sorry bones. but when I drove down the river and past all the rapids and rocks I know by name, I wanted to desperately be on the river. I wanted to guide. it’s like an addiction of sorts. I opted for storm castle hike. it was lovely.

I’ve figured out how to get people to work hard for me. I’ve found a way to guide better. I know every hole. I know every move. at the end of the day we can talk about our exact line and call every rock by it’s name. I love knowing the river so well. it’s like my little home stream. it’s taught me a lot. an amazing amount about the river and how to read water. to be able to anticipate what the current will do to you. I love every minute of it. my tribe.

I saw a bear yesterday on jack creek and I hit a crow in mid flight this morning. america!