It was in December of 1946 that thirteen year-old Donna Ricketts, her Grandfather, Stephen Bivans and her twelve year old cousin Radford began to plan a raft trip down the Sacramento River. World War II had ended when the Japanese signed the Armistice in August of 1945. By the Spring of 1947 the way of life for Americans had returned somewhat to normal. Gasoline rationing had ended. More people were traveling on the highways. More boats were being towed to river and lakes for fishing or other recreational activities. America was on the move again The trio of grandfather Bivans and two of his grandchildren made the trip down the Sacramento River on a log and pontoon raft. The four ton raft left Tehama, California on July 8th and arrived at Grimes near Colusa July 17th. Donna kept a careful journal of the trip and finally can share the "Huck Finn" like adventure.