My Everest

We all have our challenges, and I can see this is quite a contrast to your preferred vacation method. It can be fantastic, but that will be easier if you prepare yourself for it and come up with a few positives that will help keep you going. Let's face it, a bunch of people out of their comfort zone for a week, could stretch anyone/everyone's patience, but they will also be your moral support and contributors of fun and memories.
Think of the experience you will give your kids. One doesn't have to have luxe to have a good time. They will have an appreciation of being more self sufficient, and to see what a beautiful country they live in.
For you, find something luxe to take with you to give you that little splurge. I can't suggest Godiva chocolates, but maybe you can bring your own comfy pillow to contribute to a good night's sleep, or something that always makes you feel great. Don't laugh, but for some, that would be their own favourite brand of toilet paper - not to be shared.

Even if some bad things happen on this trip, you will enjoy it and look back on it as a highlight of your life.

Some years back, while in Alaska, my husband and I splurged on a 7-seater plane ride around the slopes of Denali (aka Mt. McKinley). I got airsick and threw up during most of the flight, but even so it was an awesome experience and I remember it as absolutely amazing.

Kudos to you for planning to go on this trip despite your worries!

My parents, who were also not campers or boaters, did a similar Colorado River rafting tour with my younger brothers. I wasn't there (was in Europe), but I know they all survived and made lots of good memories. I expect the guides will have lots of good instructions for your safety and comfort.

You can do this. You are an Alaskan, right? You are also a water person. You may surprise yourself and love the experience.

I have not done the raft trip ( NOT a water person), but I have been to the bottom of the canyon on foot, three times. It is another world down there. Hard to describe. . . But beautiful.

Everyone I know who has done the raft trip has raved about it. The guides are very good at making everyone comfortable. The food is reputed to be great, but the best part is the camaraderie. You will all have to deal with the "groover" and that is part of the fun. You are all in it together, in one of the most amazing places on earth.

Just to be clear, it's called the "groover." Named not for President Cleveland but for the impression it supposedly makes on you. But never fear, in this modern age a seat is provided.

I've been to the Grand Canyon several times but my raft trip many years ago was one of the standout experiences of my life. I was in my 30s and much involved then with hiking and backpacking, so it was comfortable enough sleeping on the ground and all that. Amazing as the canyon is from the rim, or even from a hiking trail below the rim, it's a whole different experience from the river, especially over several days as you descend through older and older rocks. I'll never forget the feeling of bedding down next to some two-billion-year-old Vishnu Schist on our last night, realizing I was in the presence of rock as old as the planet, before there were any sedimentary layers. And looking up at the stars, as bright and clear as they are anywhere on earth.

From your other posts I have the impression that you're an adventurous person. (Scuba diving, right? You couldn't pay me enough....) And somewhere on the uphill side of middle age? Absolutely, go for it. You and the kiddos will have a wonderful time -- maybe not every moment, but way more than enough to justify some discomfort. Not just now but years from now they will thank you for taking them. Don't hesitate for a moment!

Oh, there’s a guide involved? And a cook and food? Sounds pretty posh to me. You’ll love it, send us messages from down there. Oh, will there be wi-fi? Yes, it will be fantastic! Maybe next time, a kayak.

Thank you everyone! Yes, I am somewhat adventurous, but in my middle age I like my creature comforts. I do think the discomfort will be outweighed by the amazing place we will be, and how truly fortunate we are to enjoy the canyon for a whole week. Plus, we are a group of 18, so I know the camraderie will be great. Our other friends who are also Alaskans are going and they thought it sounded very posh! All your perspective I guess.

One thing we did on the first hike I was on with a large group was that everyone had to bring a (culinary) surprise. Some brought candy, some cake, one couple brought the ingredients for pancakes and served them after dinner.

It brings at least one highlight every day :-)

and finally a small plane and helicopter flight at the end...

Remember: The quality of your adventure will be inversely proportional to the size of the last aircraft that delivers you to its starting location.

In other words: anyone can step on a jumbo jet and get off at Disneyland, Las Vegas, or some other manufactured-for-tourists mass destination. But if you want an exceptional experience, there's nothing like long a string of flights, with each plane getting smaller and funkier looking, and ideally you want to be deposited at the end of your itinerary by a tiny, old, odd-looking aircraft - preferably one that seems to be leaking oil and maybe mechanically questionable, on an "airport" that's just a short, rough strip of ground that's barely distinguishable from its surroundings. When you step off that contraption in that place, you may want to kiss the ground, but you can be sure you are about to have one heck of an experience.

The best flights you will ever have come from the smallest vehicles. (Just have a couple large ziplock bags handy in case your stomach isn't quite ready for as much adventure as your heart is.)

I’ll try to follow your advice, David. Seek out an old, odd-looking, small plane, leaking oil and mechanically falling apart. Maybe also with an old, bold pilot? Oops, I forgot, there are old pilots, and there are bold pilots, but there are no old, bold pilots. Does your advice fit into this “fantastic journey” thread, or may the other one circulating now about everyone’s “final trip”?

dive,

I can completely understand your desire for the comforts of a hotel rather than "roughing it". I enjoyed camping when I was younger but at this stage of my life, I appreciate a more "comfortable" holiday experience.

Is this a guided tour, or something you're doing on your own? Are you planning on taking some kind of satellite device such as a SPOT in case you require urgent assistance (although I'm not sure whether access will be that good from the bottom of a canyon)?

I'm not sure what "the grover" is but before you squat down, be sure to check for "local critters" as some of them are nasty!

Your enjoyment of this somewhat "out of your comfort zone" adventure will probably depend largely on attitude. If you think you're going to enjoy it, you probably will.

6 days is pretty short even for a motorized trip. It doesn't sound like it willa llow much time for side trips for hiking into side canyons and similar. My perspective is of a kayaker using guides for logisitical support, but most kayakers consider a 10-day trip too short and opt for 2 to 3 weeks. Granted, paddling yourself is slower, but one week seems very rushed. But, even at one week, it should still be a great trip.

If you're interested in the history of river running in the Canyon, there is a very good video called "River Runners of the Grand Canyon." It's from about 1999, so it might be difficult to find.

Ken, a "groover" is a re-purposed ammo can used for a toilet (to be packed out). It's named for the marks it leaves on your posterior after use. I suspect on a large commercial trip it's a bit larger than an ammo can, but still goes by the same name.

@Archimedes
The rafting is 7 days/6 nights and thats how long it takes to do the full canyon, which we were told is best to do full canyon.
As far as side hikes.... at 106degrees, I don’t think I will be doing much hiking!

"As far as side hikes.... at 106degrees, I don’t think I will be doing much hiking!"

But it's a "dry heat".... like your oven. YThe fill canyon is definitely better, I assume you are going as far as Lee's Canyon. Definitely better, but it's still very brisk. But still a great trip, don't let me disparage it too much.

If you are interested in the history of river running the canyon, including the less than enthusiastic reception of motorized rafts, try to find a 20 year old video "River Runners of the Grand Canyon." I have a copy in VHS, I saved it even though I haven't owned a VCR of over 10 years. If tyhat fails, you might trey google with "Georgie" and "Grand Canyon." I haven't tried that, but it should work. Georgie is the name of the woman who started motorized rafts, and Grand Canyon is something the Colorado goes through.

Have fiun (you certainly will). Try not to fall out in Lava.