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Show “Tf We Had a Boat” The Dynamic Definitions of the Green River resourcefulness of the men are, in and of themselves incredible tales. And while the mountain man myth might preclude a sensitivity to nature, in fact the opposite was true. The names of favorite places along the way, like Lodore Canyon, were often inspired by literature or love interests. Major Powell was known to read poetry to his men during the easy times on the river. And in fact, had it not been for the first men's literacy and written forms of Wasatch Touring Utah’s Premiere PHOTO: The beautiful and serene Ladore Canyon JOHN HARRINGTON which to running a river is the time I floated pearls, pull the reader alotig‘thtough the current are strung of time together tothe present like fresh water day reality of dams and recreational river sport on the 730 miles of the Green River. The first people to run the Green River account of river life from Huckleberry Finn. were trappers in search of beaver pelts and The tranquillity and serenity the floater feels watching as the activities ashore drift by like scenes in a movie are unparalleled to any other of life's experiences. Having lived in the west for the past twenty five years I have been intrigued with the role of waterways in the history and development of our region. From the personal accounts in the journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, or Edward Abbey's Glen fur in 1825. Led by General William Ashley, to Mark Reisner's com- prehensive overview in Cadillac Desert, west- ern water tales are nothing short of spellbinding. In Roy Webb's Jf We Had A Boat, published by University of Utah Press, the reader catches a glimpse of the historical dynamic that defines the Green River. Webb elevates the Green's natural majesty and the historical significance of the river's explorations, beginning in the early 1800's, to a plane equal to the mighty Grand, the original name of the Colorado River. By the end of the book I felt a familiarity with the inherited Webb's love and respect for the stretch of river between Flaming Gorge and the confluence of the Green and Colorado rivers in Canyonlands National Park. One of the aspects of the book I most enjoyed was the continuum of changing perspectives the original river runners and ‘explorers had of the Greens rapids, narrows and falls. The limited or unavailable information about the unknown river's course and character, as well as the type of water craft used to navigate the waterway, influ- they floated in bullboats made of buffalo skins stretched over willow branches. At that time the river was known by it's Shoshone name, "Shetskedee." The origin of the name "Green River" is not known. Most of the geographical features including the names of canyons, and rapids were designated later by the members of the Major John Wesley Powell expedition in 1869. What was to become known as Ashley Falls is first described by it's namesake, General William Ashley, predecessor to Powell by 44 years. Upon entering Red Canyon and hear- ing the "roaring and agitated state of the water a short distance before us..." he wrote. "It proved to be a perpendicular fall of 10 or 12 feet produced by large fragments of rock which had fallen from the mountain and settled in the river extending entirely across its channel and forming an impregnable barrier to the passage of loaded water craft.” While his men portaged the falls and lined the boats the General climbed to a cliff above the river and painted “ASHLEY 1825” in large black letters on the canyon wall. So began a century of adventure and exploration via the Green River. Throughout the book there are interesting stories detailing the natural beauty of the canyon walls and vegetation, the mountain man antics of the first river runners, and the encounters the early explorers had with the indigenous tribes along the route. The plans that went awry and the sheer strength and Inflatable Ka} White Water Kayaks | Sea Kayaks Kayak Demos start at just $15.00/day (boat only) Package Discounts, Custom Outfitting Paddle Wear & Accesories Prijon, Eskimo, Wave Sport, Perception, Stohiquist, Lotus, Mountain Surf, Salamander LL 39d ¢ SAaWLL NIVINNOW in a rubber inner tube with a six pack of beer and my best friend from high school’ down the Russian River in central California. | recalled the passages from Mark Twain's indeed, Store enced the personal accounts of these adventurers experiences on the river. These events, By Leslie Miller rivers characteristics and, Kayak along the Green River. dmittedly, the closest I have ever come Canyon escapade, expression there would be no written record from which this book is based. If We Had A Boat , is a nifty little read if you like western history or the great outdoors of our immediate region. I'm sure for those river runners who frequent the Green River they would likely find additional tales in this book to pass along. In the truest tradition of the untamed west the yarns of stoties spoken and written have added to it's mystery and allure and continue today. @ |