Under the watchful care of wild-haired First Mate Ginger Beard (aka Brian Adams), my family floated a short stretch of river between Fruita and Loma by raft. The sky was blue, the Colorado River was mellow, and the summer sun felt blissful rather than scorching.

Having a 7-year-old child on board meant we opted to charter a 16-foot, self-bailing raft from Fruita’s Rimrock Adventures (927 Hwy. 340) rather than navigate the hour-and-a-half float on our own. Luckily, it was well worth the investment — for a family of four, the raft was roomy; it was guided (‘nuff said); we could pack our own snacks; properly sized life jackets were provided for everyone on board; toe dipping and swimming was allowed with Adams’ OK; plus we were shuttled to the put-in and from the takeout by van. All the hard stuff was taken care of, which left us able to socialize and relax.

Over the course of the sleepy float, our guide pointed out three bald eagles (two adult, one juvenile) sitting along the river in cottonwood trees. We also spotted a heron wading near the river bank before soaring out of our eyeline.

“No two days are the same, and no two trips are the same,” said Adams, who’s guided with Rimrock Adventures for two seasons now. “I love my job.

“I’d be crazy not to,” he added with a grin. “It’s a pretty darn good family we got.”

IF YOU WANT TO GO

Rimrock Adventures offers half-day, one-day and two-day raft trips on the Colorado River, including Westwater Canyon, Ruby/Horsethief Canyons and Blue Heron Run. We opted for “The Colorado River Experience,” which is described as “a peaceful bit of heaven” on Rimrock Adventure’s website. I think that fits the bill. This half-day float costs $30 per adult and $20 per child. Trips leave four times a day.

Another fun option, which we may do next year, is the “Saddles and Paddles” full-day trip. It includes a morning of horseback riding near Colorado National Monument, lunch on the banks of Colorado River, then an afternoon river float. Cost is $120 per adult and $85 per kid (including food and beverages).

On any rafting trip, sunscreen and bug spray is recommended. The glare off the water lends itself to sunburn, and biting flies are still in season.

For more information about guided raft trips, visit http://www.rradventures.com or call 970-858-9555.