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Show W "ta. V. ..i vV . V .-V." - ' .: "s. : -f k . . ' L.; ... '.: Flipper? Moby Dick? Nope, it's "River Love," a most unusual craft currently touring the Colorado River all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico. Smokey Knowlton, right, and his son Randy put in at Kremmling, Colo., stopped off at Moab last week. Family Traveling the Colorado River from Top to Bottom By Curt Stewart In this Bicentennial year, Americans from all over the country have toured this continent in record numbers. The mode of transportation has ranged from horseback to covered wagons, in the Pioneer tradition, and motorcycle to motor home in the most comfortable 20th Century style. One of the most unusual and adventurous expeditions passed through Moab last week. The vehicle was not on wheels, and the highway wasn't even considered; for this was a Trip of Love, River Love, and that is what the "Vehicle" was, "River Love". "River Love" is the name of the craft "Smokey" Knowlton and his two sons are on, and River Love is the reason they are on it. Smokey, and his two sons, Randy, 18, and Ron, 17, from West Covina, California, put in the Colorado River at Kremmling, Colo., last month, and their goal is to float the Colorado River all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico. Their boat "River Love," is perhaps the most unusual craft seen on the Colorado River in many a year, if not the most unusual ever. It's not just one boat, but three small "Sport Yaks" rigged , together in a triangle shape. The design is Smokey's, and so far it has been a river worthy craft. They refer to it as a "Rocker Rig." That is, the boat is rigged together, so that it rocks its way along any rapids they might encounter. It is less rigid that way, and the three plastic boats ride the rapids much the same way a conventional white water raft would. The only modification on the original design was made while they were on the river. They found they were taking on too much water going through some of the rapids in the Upper Colorado, so when they reached civilization they purchased three automobile innertubes, and rigged them on the front of each boat; so far that has worked quite effectively in keeping water out of the boat. This trip, however, is not specifically because of the Bicentennial. The reason Smokey gives, is because he genuinely loves the Colorado River, and he wanted to spend this trip challenging the river, with his two sons before they went their ways making their own lives for themselves. Smokey says that any time they have spent on any river was the Colorado River, and the two boys were practically raised on the Colorado River, where it flows through Arizona, so they have some experience with the river. However, they have none when it comes to running the heavy white water they have encountered encount-ered since entering the Utah portion of the river, and were even surprised to hear of any major rapids anywhere until they hit the Grand Canyon. In fact had they not stopped in Moab, and talked to some of the local river runners here, they might be in for the surprise of their collective lives, when they ran into the Big Drop series of rapids in Cataract Canyon. They had a seven day lay-over in Moab, because of the need for permits to go down through Cataract Canyon, and in fact were not permitted to go unless they had a support boat to insure their safety. That was taken care of by the good graces of Jim Sarten's North American River Expeditions, who offered to spot Smokey and his sons through. Most of the trip, where feasable, they have been brought provisions by Smokey's daughter who is following as close as the highways allow, in a truck to replenish any supplies they might need. This trip even though a trip of love, has not been without the difficulties and dangers involved in any such expedition. While going through Gore Canyon, the way was impassable for "River Love," so the crew had to make a portage of 6 miles, to get over the stretch of bad water. That involved derigging and carrying their triple rig over some rough terrain that would be a challenging hike for any hard core back packer. However, they managed to hitch a ride from a railroad push car for a few miles, which saved a lot of hours, not to mention the hard work. Smokey, who is keeping a journal of his trip, estimates they have spent over one hundred working river hours on this trip so far, and anticipates that many more. Still, with all the hard work and potential dangers, Smokey, Randy, and Ron are enjoying their trip, and as school starts for the boys about the same time they will enter Cataract Canyon; they are not concerned with a delay in the traditional educational processes. Smokey, and the boys, unanimously agree they are getting an education they can never get in any classroom, anywhere. They are living a day-to-day learning experience on the river. Would they do it again? I asked Smokey that question. His reply was, "No," but qualified that response with, not the same trip, another river, another time definately. |