Rafting the Lower Yakima

Since my parents and I were up visiting Kelli several days before Taylor and the others got there we couldn't resist finding a river to raft.  My dad especially loves canoeing, kayaking, really anything on or under the water and with his expertise I was brave enough to drag my 4 littles along.  

Waiting for the raft to arrive?  Throw rocks in the river of course.

My dad took the back to steer us and the kids got to take turns being his helper.

Isla was not very sure this was a good idea for about the first 10 minutes.  She clung fiercely to whoever was next to her.

And then she noticed the boys all had paddles and she wanted one herself.  We gave her a random stick we found floating by and that was the end of her fear.  After that it was all mine.  I had to keep a hand securely on her life jacket to keep her from tipping into the water she was "paddling" so much with her stick.

Seriously, more OUT of the boat than IN!

The river was beautiful and just the right temperature for a mostly leisurely float.  Enough current to feel like we were moving and a few small rapids to make it fun but not too many to scare the momma.

We took our time and stopped on small islands to throw rocks in the river and have snacks.

Grandma and Grandpa are quite the experts on all things rivers so my kids were in heaven.

What a great group to spend the day with.

Even if this munchkin insists on trying to fall overboard.

Miles eventually gave up on his paddle since it was adult sized and preferred to also paddle with his stick.

For lunch we stopped at a little rocky beach and then hiked up to a state bike trail that goes through an abandoned train tunnel.  It was the perfect 10 minute hike up to a really fun tunnel that was just long enough that when you got to the middle you could barely make out the light at the end but really you were in pitch black darkness.

And of course Grandpa Pat makes any hike fun by finding all sorts of things to climb on and explore.

And hikes are great when your big brother agrees to drag you behind him with a stick.

Then it was back to the river for a few more rapids and then back to the car where Isla promptly passed out even before everyone got in the car.  Thank you Ellensburg!  We will be coming back next year!