This year's annual Thanksgiving river trip was initiated by Ron and Norma Miller and included thirteen members, friends and family:  Mike Coltrin, Helen Deluga, Jim Donnely, Rudi Lambrchtse, Bob Manthey (PHX), Scott Merriman (PHX), Terry and Lilly Miller (Baumont, CA), Bob Schoen, Casey Stakauskas and Mark Thaler.  We shared a great pot luck Thanksgiving dinner with all kinds of tasty trimmings including some genuine won-tons made by Lilly .  We were also treated to the spectacular scene of two bright and close celestial bodies and the quarter moon in the western sky soon after dusk and shared a fine campfire late into the evening.
Weather was almost perfect with clear skies and mild temps.  We enjoyed the warm colors of the scenic surrounding mountains early in the morning and as we paddled the flat waters of the lower Colorado to nearby backwater lakes.  There was plenty to see and lots of narrow winding channels to paddle through to find the hidden lakes.  Getting our long sea kayaks through the maze of tight cane chocked channels (called "carrizos") was a challenge but lots of fun.  The area was full of old mining history and wild burros and other desert denizens roamed the back hills and washes.  There were lots of waterfowl and flying raptors fishing above the lakes.  Fish were plentiful and easily caught.
We paddled up river to Norton's Landing (an old town tourist hangout), Adobe and Taylor Lakes and down river to Long, Stump and Island Lakes.  We also visited the old Eureka Mine site which included a small lake and the old Miner's Cabin which has been preserved by the historical society.  On Saturday Rudi took off in his inflatable from the Picacho Camp to do the overnight 20-mile float down river to Squaw Lake (just above Imperial Dam).  We drove his car down to the take-out at the lake on our way back home on Sunday.  Rudi continued on after this trip to San Filipe, Baja CA for another holiday.

Photo contributions by Ron and Norma Miller