2011 Larsen family Reunion at Grays Canyon/Snake River!

Every year we gather together to play in the water and sun....somewhere!  We came back to Jackson Hole this year to run the river.  It is just too much fun!
Grandma and Grandpa go up a few days early to secure a camping spot along the Grays River and wait for the rest of us to arrive.
Let's get this party started... 

Load up! Let's float! Let's get wet!

Morgan's mosquitoe netting needs to come off before we get in!

Tom and Froggie are untying the raft...or are they?




As soon as Rocket squeezes into his spray skirt.

And Gregg tightens Svetlana's life jacket!

A few more life jackets, wet suits and sunscreen...

Haul the boats to the water...

And we are ready to push off.

There is flat water and a variety of waves on the river, but Kahuna and Lunch Counter are the big waves we all look forward too with excitement and trepidation.  Will we make it through or swim?  This year, because of the high water, Kahuna was washed out.  There wasn't a wave to be found in Kahuna.  But Lunch Counter did not disappoint us.  It was big and gnarly.  The water comes into a rock chute and then rolls into the center.  Grandpa Bullfrog called the water "disturbed".  We had a hard time finding a line to keep our boats in.

The best part about Lunch Counter, is that there is a pull out on the road above and a trail that brings spectators right to the waters edge.  A fantastic place to take pictures.  And I did just that, when I wasn't in a boat.

Chase and Garrett show off their stuff!

Grandpa likes to fill the raft up with girls and show us what he's got!

Jamie and Adam make a good team navigating the river!

Gregg and Svetlana got a little sideways, but Gregg put his oar in and kept them upright.  And Rocket shows some tricky manuveurs.

It looks like Tom and Shelly lost their boat under the water. 

Josh rolls out of a wave and sets up for the next wave!

Meanwhile, the cheerleaders have made it through Lunch counter and pulled their boats off to the side so they can view the wave they just made it through alive, and watch Josh and Rocket surf the waves.

Another round brings Tom and Garrett in a ducky.  It is fun to switch partners and see if the new alliance's can keep the boats upright.











 Tom and Shelly

Josh

Jamie and Adam

Garrett and Chase

Grandpa Bullfrog, Arial, Morgan and Geri

Friends - Gregg and Svetlana

Rodney Rocket!

Grandpa Bullfrog, aka Dad and myself, Shauna

Can you tell we had a great weekend.  Lots of smiles before, during and after!

Evenings are not complete without a good meal, a fire and reliving the days adventures.

Fun on the water good food and a fire - Life is good!

Too tired to move, Chase is remembering the swim he took!

This year the mosquitoes were plague like uninvited guests.  The momma's, pappa's, aunts, uncles, cousins, you name it, they were buzzing and biting up a storm.  Adam was our in camp exterminator.

Another great adventure on the river.  General consensus is, let's come back next year!

2011 Harley Ride

 For the Harley ride of 2011, July 6 - 12th.  Ray wanted to return to his favorite ride.  It is a 33 mile stretch from Willits, CA to Fort Bragg, CA.  A twisty windy road of floor board to floor board motorcyle bliss.  And to accompy Ray this year would be Kevin, Al and Jim.

Ray, Kevin and Al rode from Salt Lake to Reno where they met up with Jim.  Jim flew in from California, rented a bike in Reno, and off they went to California.  This was Jim's first Harley road ride and he had FUN!

Jim Yorgeson 

Kevin

Al Takemori

Ray

This years trip had beautiful weather!
After leaving Reno, the group looped around Lake Tahoe, headed back North through Truckee and Quincy.  South to Yuba City and West past Clear Lake to arrive at Willits and onto Fort Bragg.

Fort Bragg is located on the famous Highway 1.  Highway 1 follows the coast line from Washington to Mexico with breathtaking views all along the coast.

 Tradition is to stay at the same little Mom and Pop hotel in Fort Bragg.  And drive down to the harbor to eat sea food in a little diner on the water.





 The trip would not be complete without a ride North, up Highway 1 to Leggett, home of a giant sequoia tree called The Chandelier Drive Through Tree.  Carved in 1930 it is aproximately 6' wide by 6'9" tall.

Heading back, they altered their normal route and headed south on Highway 1 to Highway 128 and through Napa Valley before heading east on I-80 to Auburn. 

Lunch break!

 And a rear end break!

 Then North on State road 49 to Grass Valley and Sierra City. Another beautiful, beautiful day!

Ray loves riding in California.  He has been there with his friend Jack Sieverts, wife Monica, Dan, Kevin and I, Al and Jim and maybe more....

It truly is beautiful and worth every mile! 












Whether rubbing your good luck charm,  

or trying to keep the speed limit under control.











We recommend this ride and would be happy to ride again if you need a buddy!
 Happy riding!