This summer, I was fortunate to be the Idaho Rivers United staff representative on our Main Salmon IRU raft trip. For five glorious days, I was able to immerse myself in the river and reconnect with the “why” behind IRU’s conservation efforts

For many of us, our favorite places and memories revolve around water. Memories of swimming or boating in lakes, wading out to cast a fishing line, hiking to waterfalls, or waves crashing on a beach instantly bring a glimmer of happiness. What is it, exactly, that causes this phenomenon?

After 30 miles of winding dirt road past cliffs and through canyons, the road curved right to follow Johnson’s Creek. The cold, clean scent of mountain waters cut through the dust and hot air. Swallows darted over the water and trout swam up from the deep pools to snag unsuspecting insects.