50-Mile Canoe Trip
August 12 through August 17, 2001
 We rounded the last bend of the river, catching sight of Woodson Bridge. Our paddles dipped deeper into the icy Sacramento River as our thoughts turned to hot showers, Dude Burgers, and the drive home. We had only put our four canoes in the river at Redding five days earlier, but the memories of this water trek will stay with us much longer. |
 Our 80-mile floating adventure ranged from exciting multi-canoe recoveries to lazy floating in the hot sun. The daytime temperatures soared above 100 degrees, searing our sun-screen slathered skin, and our involuntary dips in the 50-degree river quickly chilled us. |
 Deer grazed along the banks, while egrets, herons, and even a bald eagle stalked the waters for a fish dinner. Ducks and geese floated on top, as trout and salmon swam below. Crimson sunsets and sunrises framed the nights of star-cluttered skies. |
 The five Scouts and four adults who navigated the swift current camped on sandy beaches and ate from a wood-fired Dutch oven. London broil, chicken casserole, and peach cobbler were part of the dinner fare. With everything packed and secured into the four canoes, the paddlers had only themselves to rely on. |
 Good food, good company, good surroundings: great experience. |