Day 4 – 3/17/6
25.5 GPS miles
70.1 total

So it turns out packrafting is really hard. I’m quite certain my arms are going to fall off in my sleep. 

Since packrafting is really cold unless in direct sunlight, we slept in to give the sun time to reach into the canyon – not specifically where we were camped (that would’ve taken until at least noon) but around the next bend. Around 8:45 we got in the water and had a brisk half hour or so until we finally reached sun. 

  
We had a leisurely morning, floating along about as much as actually paddling. 

By lunchtime we had only gone 8 miles and realized we’d better step it up. During lunch we also watched, somewhat amused, as a Park Ranger boat got stuck in a shallow part of the river. But then they came over to check on us and inquired about our plans. We were not yet within Park boundaries (Canyonlands National Park), but were planning on rafting well into Park territory and weren’t entirely sure what the actual rules were regarding permits (which we don’t have at all for this part), so we told a half truth saying we were paddling a few more miles then joining up with the Hayduke. The ranger was very nice and seemed satisfied with our answer, but we were still a little nervous. Bubs and I are both good rule followers. 
So we made a new plan to take out at a point just a few miles into the park and to try to get to that spot tonight. 

And then there was a headwind. We went nearly 360 degrees around a gooseneck bend in the river, and there was a headwind the whole damned way.  

We are both exhausted and taking a large dose of Vitamin I tonight.