River bank crew (Rogue River part VI)

We sling our heavy dry bags to and fro from boat to bank and we all take a hand in camp chores including setting up the "kitchen" and tents. Kevin sets up The Groover, a necessary but unglamorous job. The Groover, aka crapper, stinkpot, pooper, potty, etc., is required by the permit to be brought along; all solid human waste must be removed from the river environs. We take only pictures and leave only footprints. Poop not in the wilderness, maties!

The kitchen consists of a long narrow table on which sits a camp stove powered by a propane tank; a lower and equally long table is covered first with the meal preparations and then the food and utensils as we eat. Chris rigs a clever washing system that's comprised of two buckets, a bulb pump and a faucet made of copper tubing. One hose pulls water from the clean bucket through the faucet and then into the gray-water bucket. You step onto the bulb to pump water out of the faucet and wash your hands - just like downtown. A long mesh bag is slung under the cook table which holds the drying pots and pans, plates and utensils after they're washed. Each raft holds a large cooler and a very large aluminum chest containing packaged foodstuffs. They're packed to bursting.

Life on the river is a peculiar mix of luxury and austerity: We bring as little as possible in clothing - garments that dry very quickly, even shielding us from ultraviolet sun - but as much as possible of all manner of food and drink.

Spotting a choice camp each midafternoon, we haul ashore, scout the camp area, claim tent sites and then set about food preparations. To a person, we attack the food with gusto, having floated quietly on the river for a few hours. Pupus (extravagant predinner snacks) are prepared and consumed very quickly. Then drinking commences and explorations are undertaken.