All: Thanks for the recommendation; trusting your advice I ventured to Amazon. Help should arrive in 5-7 business days.

Aaron: Salida's 719, not 303 (and definately not the Front Range), so I'm pleading my case for any help you have to provide. Although I'm a bit concerned as to what that help might be.

Fryer: Many humble apologies. I see I misspelled your name, which is unconscionable when dealing with a man of the Cloth, even if that cloth happens to be Gore-tex. It must have been my latent sullenness manifesting iteslf, which as you know is what condemned me to the 5th circle in the first place (along with wrath, but that's a different topic). I look forward to the opportunity to purge myself of my sins on the waters of your bountiful state, which I have faith begins as soon as I exit this dry valley and free myself from the maniacal drivers that inhabit it. In the meantime, have mercy on my gentle soul and patience with my sinful ways. Those of us from Co. know not the things we miss...but we're really good at rolling quickly when faced with road-blast and rebar, and have developed advanced evolutionary traits that allow bloodflow to our fingers when faced with snowmelt that's barely above freezing. (And if anyone from Co. is reading this, please do not confiscate my driver's license or pour dishsoap on my lawn).

heatehr where in cali do you plan on relocating? being from pueblo aqnd living there for many many years i know your area up there quiet well, and am now only discovering what northern cali has to offer.

Hey, I'm already here, just outside of San Jose. Sorry -- that was part of a previous thread asking for a guidebook but I messed up my reply and start a new thread by mistake. Open to any suggestions but still a few months out before I'll be back in a boat.

i have yet to get the chance to venture any further south then bakersfield, but have heard great stuff about everything down there, have fun and get back into that boat!

You need not worry sister. I am drawn to those in need of guidance. And can sense you are one worthy of my attentions.
Thank you for correcting me. Gore-tex, really how could I. My only excuse being the topic does stir my blood, and my heart was leading my hands. 'Nuff said of my grammatical deficiency.

"Long is the road and hot is the shuttle when your bro has no A.C." I have always loved this saying and it applies to you my child. For you begin down a road paved with hope and hedged with hazards. Saving ones soul is sweaty work in this here valley. Cleansing you of your sins and putting you on the path of Cali. righteousnous is gonna take a lot of water. Luckily we do seem to have plenty, here in the north at least. (Bakersfield!!!!!!really i never)

I'm talking Conversion here my brothers and sisters. Can I get an AMEN, C to C!! Now I am not one to preach from a position of ignorance. So allow me to tell you a personal story of conversion.

The good Fryer did not begin down the path of light here on the left coast. Yes, i know you are shocked, but it is true. I was born on the right coast. Deep in the wilds of New Hampshire to parents of dubious descent. He was descended from indentured french fur trappers who took natives for wives. She was descended from survivors of the Salem Witch Trial. I would love to say more but my time is short this morning. I was taught to boat at an early age. O.K. so I was born in the middle of a class IV rapid, she did eddie out! Regardless I grew to manhood boating the creeks and rivers of the east. You can imagine I was quite regionalistic when at the age of twenty I went into the Brotherhood of the Stern Stall. An old and established brotherhood. My education within the brotherhood continued until, about 1989, when I was approached by my mentor and informed that I was to go on a mission. The Brotherhood, confined to the east coast, had been hearing rumors of mystical lands to the west of the Rockies. Lands of mixed rock and smooth granite. Virginal in aspect and aproach. Untainted by man and his asphalt. Rumors of having to use "mules" to get to some rivers were passed off as absurd. A few photos and snippets of video did nothing but stir the blood of the brotherhood and had to cached away so as to avoid further disturbance within the order. So I had been chosed to go forth and either squash of confirm the existence of said lands. I personally thought the rumors hogwash and fabrication sent by sects located on the frontrange.

How wrong I was sisters and brothers. For now I must leave my story here for the good work calls me. I am off to a charity function to help some poor rafters patch their boats.
Sister Heather Z why will you not be boating for "a few months"? I hope no injury yet this is the only reason I could think of.

Fryer, again I find myself apologizing. My intention was to show only respect for your exhalted position and appreciation for alternative forms of worship, not to criticize your minor grammatical mishap. I've spent the past week reading the Good Book in penance and preparing an exhaustive comparison with California Whitewater so I don't get sandbagged. Since I'm a pretty slow reader and a horrible typist that's occupied all of my time and I neglected to answer your question or express appreciation for your semantical masterpiece. Please do not turn me out of the fold -- as a fellow brethren raised in the cold and desolate northeast hills of Vt. I beg for your mercy.

Your divine inspiration was correct -- injury is the culprit.
Current score is: Ca. driver +2
Me -11 months and counting

My hope -- no, my faith -- is that by the time the injuries heal the target on my forehead will have faded, and I will once again be allowed in shuttle vehicles. Without my bunny ears. With AC. And hopefully some good music.