Lower Salt River Kayaking

We found ourselves in Scottsdale, AZ by surprise. An unexpected work event pulled me out there for a three day shindig at a nice resort in the desert. As part of said shindig, we had an option to participate in a number of activities, the most appealing of which for me was kayaking the lower Salt River, approximately 45 minutes away from the resort.

A few observations:

1) There is nothing quite like being in a river in the desert
2) Time of year was perfect - late May, so not yet too brutally hot, but everything in full bloom. The smells and sounds of the desert are remarkable, and we enjoyed seeing all kinds of birds and plants you can't see on the east coast.
3) The lower Salt is a favorite location for college kids in the summer - we passed a number of aromatic flotillas, coolers attached and laughter spilling out over the rapids
4) The lower Salt needs some work - tons of garbage in the river, lots of empty beer cans or "silver fish" as the guides referred to them.
5) Wild ponies were the climax of the trip - video below to document just how close we got to one of them who decided to wade out into the river to see what we were up to