We wake up to peace and quiet. That will turn to controlled chaos as soon as the rafters get here. Today we are paddling the Numbers section of the Arkansas, a class 5 river but today it is only class 4 because of low water (375cfs).
Peggy has a wardrobe malfunction when Sky Blue chews through her bathing suit straps. Luckily there is a clothing outfitter just around the corner. Sky now owes Peggy $40.
Our guide is Adam. He's been doing this for eight years. As usual it's a joyful ride to the put-in. We paddle a six-person, self-bailing raft, but there are only four of us. That's good since the water is so low. It's continuous class II until we get to the first Number rapid. There are seven of them and each one requires a lot of maneuvering. The guides even use rock bouncing as a technique. There was a drop in #5 that would have swamped a canoe but the rest of the rapids would be a lot of fun for an open boat. It would be great fun for someone in a kayak.
We take-out after six miles and load the raft on the trailer. Back in town we bid our guide farewell and head for the county park so the dogs can play in the river.
(Picture may or may not follow. My camera is not water-proof and I'm still looking for a place to develop the film from the non-digital, 'cheapo' water-proof camera I purchased for this trip.)
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