Riverguide author Tom Martin will be speaking about early Grand Canyon river running at 11 locations in early September throughout the western United States.
This45-minute program is based on his new book: Big Water, Little Boats: Moulty Fulmer and the First Grand Canyon Dory on the last of the Wild Colorado Riverand
features fascinating original photographs from various 1940s through 1960s Grand Canyon river trips, as seen in the book. Highlights include Boulder Narrows at 126,000 cubic feet per second in 1957, Dick Griffith in the first rubber raft run of Lava Falls, and Walter Kirschbaum in the first kayak run of Lava in 1960.
The book, just released, will be available at the presentations and through the River Runners for Wilderness bookstore at:
https://www.rrfw.org/product/big-water-little-boats
Tom’s presentation recounts how a quiet Hoosier named Moulty Fulmer happened upon the McKenzie River hull design of today’s Pacific Northwest boats, and how he used that design to build the GEM, Grand Canyon’s first decked dory.
Martin, Co-director of River Runners for Wilderness, will also touch on how he built a full-sized replica of the GEM and what it was like to row it through the Grand Canyon. He will also show photo re-matching of original pictures from the 1940s and 1950s river trips. The programs will include book signings.
For more photos and information about the book and presentations, see www.bigwaterlittleboats.com
The following is a list of presentation locations:
Saturday September 1 Lotus, CA
Ice Cream Social, book presentation/signing 6:30-8:30 p.m.
The River Store 1032 Lotus Road, Lotus, CA 95651 www.theriverstore.com
Monday September 3 Ashland, OR
Benefit for Ashland Public Library
book presentation/signing 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Gresham Room, Ashland Public Library, 410 Siskiyou Blvd
Tuesday September 4 Bend, OR
book presentation/signing 7:00 p.m.
Tumalo Creek Kayak and Canoe, 805 Southwest Industrial Way
Wednesday September 5 Eugene, OR
Food and Beer, book presentation/signing 6:00-8:00 p.m.
The Caddis Fly Angling Shop 168 West 6th Avenue
Friday September 7 Port Townsend, WA
book presentation/signing 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Wooden Boat Festival, AV Room, Northwest Maritime Center
Saturday September 8 Port Townsend, WA
book presentation/signing 12:00-1:0 p.m.
Wooden Boat Festival, AV Room, Northwest Maritime Center
Tuesday, September 11 Ellensburg, WA
Benefit for Ellensburg Public Library
book presentation/signing 7:30-8:30
Hall Holms Center, 209 North Ruby Street
Wednesday, September 12 Boise, ID
book presentation/signing 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Idaho River Sports, 3100 W. Pleasanton Ave
Friday, September 14 Fort Collins, CO
Benefit for Save the Poudre
book presentation/signing 7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Wolverine Farms Bookstore in the Bean Cycle Café, 144 N. College
Saturday, September 15 Wheatridge, CO
book presentation/signing 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Down River Equipment, 12100 W. 52nd Ave #101
Sunday, September 16 Grand Junction, CO
Benefit for Colorado Mesa University Outdoor Program
book presentation/signing 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Maverick Center Room 155
Colorado Mesa University
Monday, September 17 Durango, CO
Benefit for San Juan Citizen’s Alliance
book presentation/signing 7:00 p.m.-8:30 pm
Four Corners River Sports, 360 South Camino Del Rio