July 21- The Float

Yesterday we arrived at the visitor center on the outskirts of Taos just after noon. We were supposed to meet our rafting company in the parking lot at 12:30. We ate a quick lunch and shortly thereafter, our rafting company pulled into the lot. We signed ourselves in and followed them across the street to where we would end our rafting trip. We then piled into their van and headed upstream to our launch point. It was a hot and sunny day when we started. The guide mentioned that he would be in the water alot on a day like this. They went over the rules and safety procedures (most of which really pertained to those doing the more aggressive trip- we were doing the float which really only hit a few mild rapids). We then launched our two rafts and were on our way! The boys were in one boat with Kris and Jeff and the rest of us were in the other boat. It was not long before we were in the water cooling off. We ended up pulling up to an island in the middle of the river and having fun practicing "nose up, toes up and facing down the river " . This is the procedure you need to follow if you fall out of the raft and into the river. We all had a blast floating down and then running back up and doing it again (first picture). Even Anna loved it.

After about 15 minutes, we continued on our way. By now the clouds had moved in and it cooled off to maybe 80 degrees. The girls were cold and had to borrow the guides jacket! We floated downstream until 3:30 or so. I forgot to mention that the river we floated on was the Rio Grande and it was very pretty. We saw a few muskrats, some geese and a few birds.

At the end of our trip, the guides set up a snack for us- which the kids devoured in about 2 seconds!

We then drove into the town of Taos, checked into our hotel and hit the hot tub and pool. For dinner, the guides had recommend a restaurant called Grahams Grille. We headed downtown to try and find it. Well, we did and it was fantastic! We sat on the outside patio- adults at one table and kids at another. The food was amazing- I had mango and chicken enchiladas, the desserts were the best we have seen on this vacation and the service was impeccable. If you ever find yourself in Taos, check out this restaurant right in the center of town.

Today, we are going to see the sites in Taos and head back to Kris and Jeff's house for a few days before hooking up with our friends from San Jose- the Sakamoto family.