Guide School ... we laughed, we cried, we swam ... Day 4

From moose and marmots to mayflies and mergansers, Thursday morning started with presentations from Guide School members, covering Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem flora and fauna and Teton geology. In addition to local knowledge, presenters shared choice river quotes and jokes.

After a quick eddy-in pep talk with Mad River staff, the crew hopped on the bus and headed for the water.

What a difference a day made. Everyone was bomber on the oar rigs, and real signs of improvement could be seen on each boat. Hitting high and deep on eddy-line entry was one of the main goals of the day - and the guide school rocked it. And, though the day quickly became cooler and cloudy, paddlers remained in good spirits.

Following the first trip, Guide School participants ate lunch and Mad River guides gave a brief run down of Snake River conversation efforts - such as the recently passed Wild and Scenic Bill and the annual Summit on the Snake, May 30th at the Teton Science School.

Fueled-up and ready for round two, rowers returned to the oars in the afternoon with a goal: swim Lunch Counter.

Having reached the point where they could run the Snake's most turbulent rapid with oars and paddles, the crew tested their human-powered ferry skills and deep breathing by cruising Lunch Counter as swimmers. All eighteen guide school members swam, and all eighteen got to know laminar and turbulent flows on a little more personal level.

The crew crushed day four, and, truth-be-told, wetsuits never looked this good.
Tomorrow brings the last day of the course and the Guide School Olympics.