My Idaho Getaway Diary

By Bruce Reichert

In September of 2006, a group of guys re-arranged their busy schedules and headed for the Frank Church wilderness, lured by the chance to be in an Outdoor Idaho show called "Idaho Getaways."

My Getaway choice was a private rafting trip down the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. It started at the Stanley airport, where we loaded our gear into a small plane, heading for Indian Creek airstrip.

Luckily, my friends are experienced rafters and campers, and they get along pretty well. That would be important, because we would be alone on the river for almost a week.

There would be no women on this trip. Just us guys. By Day 3, my friends are starting to wonder. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. Oh well, we'll make the best of it.

One of the biggest rapids on the river is Tappen Falls. Jim Acee is the first one through. Almost immediately he decides to spend a few minutes checking out the wonderful rocks that are usually below water in this Class IV rapid. But as Jim accurately predicted, bad rafting makes great video. Now Jim is guaranteed some air time in our show.

Two of our crew, no doubt fearing the dangers of low water, hiked almost 15 miles down Camas Creek, hoping to hook up with the rest of us.

The tired and starving men eventually reached the Middle Fork, where they recounted stories of pain and depravity almost beyond belief.

Forced to carry heavy objects on their backs, Norm Nelson and Kay Johnson were reduced to scavenging for their food, like wild animals.

Apparently, there was not even ice for their mixed drinks.

Wildfires burned all around us in September, and sometimes the smoke filled the skies. It was a daily reminder of how the wilderness is constantly changing. Our days were constantly changing, too. Sometimes we'd search for elusive wildlife. Other days we'd hike or soak in the hot springs.

But in the evening, we'd eat. With Chef Kay in charge, the meals were always a delight. No one went away hungry. And everyone cleaned his plate.

Even the insects liked the food. The aphid community came out in force, to show its appreciation of our fine cuisine... and the green plates.

None of us had ever experienced an aphid infestation before. We were, however, prepared for yellow jackets, with a handy battery-operated badminton racquet that would zap them in mid air. Luckily, the cool weather kept the yellow jackets in check.

Heading home after a Middle Fork trip is always bitter sweet. You know you're leaving one of the special places on Earth.

For most of us, this was our first September Middle Fork trip. We all liked the solitude that a fall excursion allows.

And being able to share that experience with friends made the trip even more memorable.