4th of July

Well for the 4th we packed up and head back to the ole stomping grounds of Salmon Idaho. The focus of this trip was whitewater. An ole buddy Clay and his family were looking to tryout their new toy (raft). We had been watching the water levels for about two weeks and it seemed that they might stay a bit high. A few days before calling it quits the river started to drop and things became a go for some great river running. We headed up to Salmon Idaho and then headed down river to an area known as the day section and set up camp along the river. The first day of running went pretty smooth and produced alot of smiling faces. The river dropped about a foot over night and the next day things were really shaken and baken. Amy got thrown from the oar seat in Pine Creek rapids but managed to stay in the boat. After some scrambling she regained control which was followed by giggles and grins. A few miles down river Clay dropped into a big hole and things got sideways for him. As the wave crashed down into the boat it brought her up on its side and cast everyone over, except the dog who seems to have better balance then the Hickey family, into the drink. Clay climbed back in the boat and started plucking crew members from the river. They settled in a little wet and missing some hats and sunglassed. Sometimes ya just have to sacrfice to the river gods. Brooks got in a little whitewater action and just loved it. He got to go in the boat after all the big stuff. You can see from the pics that mommy was at the oars and hit some waves to splash him. He just loves it. Mornings and evenings were spent in camp watching Big Horn Sheep ewes and lambs playing on the rocks. We did have one uninvited visitor to camp. Mr. Rattle Snake decided to stop by. Clay played hero and scooped the little fellow up and walked him out and let him go. All in all it was a great time and we are planning our next big river trip. The photos above can be clicked on to make them bigger.