{"id":34960,"date":"2025-01-09T08:00:46","date_gmt":"2025-01-09T16:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/community.nrs.com\/duct-tape\/?p=34960"},"modified":"2025-01-07T10:50:13","modified_gmt":"2025-01-07T18:50:13","slug":"how-to-do-a-layover-day-right","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/community.nrs.com\/duct-tape\/2025\/01\/09\/how-to-do-a-layover-day-right\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Do a Layover Day Right"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cOh, thank goodness,\u201d I muttered when the sun finally decided to emerge. My fingers were numb from braiding grass into ropes in the chilly morning air. The December temperatures in the Grand Canyon were not lending themselves well to fine motor skills. I was focused, if floundering, as I tried to keep up production. Ideal conditions or not, Courtney and I had a job to do: make rope.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why did Courtney and I need to make rope out of grass at 9:45 in the morning? We needed a way to attach outriggers to the small wooden canoe Aaron was carving. Why was Aaron carving a canoe? Because we were maximizing our layover day.<\/span><\/p>\n

When a trip agenda allows for it, treating yourself to a zero-mile day can be a sweet addition. A layover day can be lavish: no packing, no rowing, no timeline to keep. Or you can pack them full of activities: competitive beach games, river Olympics, exploratory adventures. Layover days aren\u2019t always possible\u2014they are a bit of a luxury. But if you can swing it, it\u2019s well worth it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Our trip leader was a fanatic for layover days. North Canyon was where we spent our first, at mile 20.5. We passed the time with a festive (if competitive) White Elephant gift exchange and side canyon exploration. Our second layover day, at Eminence, was all about vertical suffering. We spent the morning hiking\u2014some even going so far as the canyon\u2019s rim\u2014and filled the afternoon with extreme croquet. Now, only eight days and 61.5 miles into our 30-day sojourn, we were taking our third.<\/span><\/p>\n

On this particular layover day, our group decided to host a regatta. Camped at Above LCR, we set the day aside to build boats and race them down the famous Little Colorado River.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOnly natural materials,\u201d Kyle announced as he walked around the chair circle with a hat full of numbers.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou <\/span>can<\/span><\/i> use tools you brought with you, though,\u201d Claire added.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFour teams of four,\u201d Kyle continued. \u201cYou have two hours. And your time starts now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The energy and excitement was palpable as the last number was drawn. Barely waiting for Kyle\u2019s final directive, people flashed their numbers at each other across the circle. Whispers began before the teams had fully assembled. Quickly, teams disappeared to different corners of camp, careful not to be overheard by the competition.<\/span><\/p>\n