couple of years ago I wrote to bqr asking for suggestions for a rapid to be named for Georgie. Unfortunately the response was decidedly underwhelming.

One person recommended that, in view of the fact that Georgie loved the giant rapids of the Upper Granite Gorge, I should request a name change for Granite. This was one of her favorites. A few years before she died I asked her if she would ever want a rapid named for her. She told me, "Yes, Crystal. I love Crystal more than anything. Perhaps it could be named 'Georgie¹s Crystal Rapid' so that the name doesn¹t have to be changed completely." Sadly, I believe the guides would never support such a suggestion, nor do I feel the usgs and Grand Canyon National Park would be willing to see such a famous rapid renamed.

Therefore, although Georgie thought of it as nothing more than a "miscellaneous" I will request that 24 Mile Rapid be renamed "Georgie Rapid." I do not believe there are any other claims on this one. 24.5 Mile would have been a bit better‹she seemed to enjoy that one, but it is associated with Bert Loper¹s death. The same goes for 25 Mile, a rapid Georgie tangled with prior to developing her ³Big Boat² in 1955. Since it is unofficially named for Hansbrough and Richards, that one is also inappropriate.

My feelings, and those of Georgie¹s former crew and passengers, are that a rapid named for ³Mom² be located above Lava Falls and the Whitmore helicopter take-out. Passengers traveling from Lees Ferry on down would be more apt to appreciate Georgie¹s unusual talents than those coming in at Whitmore.

Trying to coordinate something like getting a geographical name established is hard to do alone. I have had some help and suggestions from the wonderful people affiliated with the Grand Canyon Pioneers Society. They have decided to help sponsor my request to the usgs and Arizona Board of Geographical Names, although their final approval rests with my putting together a good presentation. I have written a short biography of Georgie and I will also send a copy of Dick Westwood¹s new book and video clips from Don Briggs¹ "River Runners of the Grand Canyon" and from nbc Nightly News.

I am also wondering whether anyone would know how to go about getting a plaque put up at the old Navajo Bridge to honor Georgie. In other words, how one designs such a thing, what the cost might be, etc. I assume permission would needed to be obtained from Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Any and all suggestions or comments would sure be appreciated. You can reach me via e-mail at roz@dnai.com. My snail-mail address is 1729 Bishop Drive, Concord, ca 94521. Hope to hear from you.

Roz Jirge