LVHHH Canoe Trip 2008

The Pirates of the Colorado River have struck again, this time in a different direction! Heading (who said head?) downriver from our usual ending spot of Willow Beach, AZ we took an 8 mile paddle (truthfully a 4 mile paddle and a 4 mile tow) to a secluded cove just off of the river. The trip down was a zig-zagging affair with hashers getting used to controlling their paddle operated motion devices and taking breaks along the way to have water fights and create general chaos for chaos' sake (because if you don't do something for Chaos' sake, who will?).
The first heavy casualty occured early on however, when P.I.M.B.'s camera went overboard while attempting to procure frosty beverages for fellow canoers Pre-Whack and Kracka. (R.I.P. la photografia). Nevertheless, rum makes everything better (until the next morning) and the day moved on (on-on).
Arriving at the beach, there was set-up of camp, with everyone playing care to keep the heavy snorers at arms distance (to the best of their ability). And once that was done, drinking commenced until the arrival time of the 'Great P.O.T.A.T.'
Sneaky hare Special (Charleston Heston) Ed took off with Virgin Hare Hasher Jeff and they went over both hill and dale to lay a clever trail for the pack to follow.
Follow we did, except for one unfortunate hasher by the name of Victor Victoria (Victor2ia?) who shortcut his way off the side of a mountain. In what has been the scariest thing I've ever actually seen at a hash, he lost his battle against gravity and tumbled like a rag doll down the hill (more like a cliff) bouncing off outcroppings on his way down. Some of us called for help, some of us ran straight down, some of us ran back to the boat to prep it for rescue.
Fortunately our hasher bretheren was alive, laying at the bottom of the crevice. We'd find out the next day that an arm cast and 12 stitches later, our tough Canuk will be around to hash again!
With enough people standing around looking for ways to help (is 30 enough?), six of us LVHHH hashers decided that Mr. Victoria would want us to finish trail and we continued on the Great Planet Of The Apes Trail, discovering an ice cold beer check with glorious banana bread beer awaiting consumption. After a few (3) bottles shared amongst us, we took the rest in our bags and accepted that we were the only ones on trail. Continuing on we came across scenery that the word 'breathtaking' can only be an understatement. It was like being on another planet and I only wish more hashers could have shared in the amazing sights.
Coming down from the higher reaches of the trail (with more success than our good buddy), we arrived at the bottom of a ravine where a second beer check lay. Dark and thick like the oil of our cars (but much, much tastier!) we got an update from the hare that our fellow hasher was indeed on his way to the hospital and very much alive. With cheers to it all, we followed the ravine back into camp and prepared to eat a primo excellent (o?) shish-ka-bob dinner.
There was circle, I don't really remember it, but I was informed I was a bit of an ass, so to everyone I apologize. I should lay off the heavy booze (thinking) and focus on the moment. Cheers!

Sunday (Sunday, Sunday!) we returned up-river, getting towed by Hasher Jeff in his mighty sailboat of awesomeness (boat name: Nauti Buoy). We stopped for lunch in the same area we did before, but this time there was a trail led by the mighty Hunka-Hunka Burnin' Shit and the illustrious Koresh. For those willing to traverse the Eagle route, there was an outstanding view check and an incredibly long rendition of "I Used to Work in Chicago." It was worth doing, even in flip-flops! After which we had another circle and tied back on to the Nauti Buoy. Outside of a couple capsizes along the way, everyone made it safe and sound back to Willow Beach. We unloaded and headed (who said head?) back into town.

Beers and cheers to everyone who made this trip the true adventure it was. May next year's river trip continue the trend!

On-On