The All-Outdoors Whitewater Rafting California River Blog http://blog.aorafting.com Read up on everything related to whitewater rafting on California rivers with All-Outdoors Thu, 02 Sep 2010 02:11:06 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 The All-Outdoors Whitewater Rafting California River Blog http://blog.aorafting.com/feed-logo.jpg http://blog.aorafting.com 100 100 The All-Outdoors Whitewater Rafting California River Blog - http://blog.aorafting.com South Fork Float Trips http://feed.aorafting.com/~r/aoblog/~3/OXgiD2Gh1Kk/ http://blog.aorafting.com/south-fork-float-trips/#comments Thu, 02 Sep 2010 02:11:06 +0000 Malina http://blog.aorafting.com/?p=2847 We spend a lot of time extolling the virtues of heart-pounding, eyeball-obliterating, endurance-testing whitewater.  Class five nutsos–we have you covered!

But what if you have young kids?  Or you want to lower, not raise your heart rate?  What of the unsung glories of the gentle float trip?  Ah, the float trip……….the chance to laze in the sun, watch a family of ducks make its way from eddy to eddy, pick a blackberry or two, and have a good conversation. 

We designed our Tom Sawyer float trip to celebrate the smaller-scale beauties of the river with our smallest fans–young kids (and their parents)!  The trip is exclusively class I and II, meaning it’s all slow moving water and gentle riffles.  A slowly-paced afternoon on the South Fork with plenty of time to play and discover.  Inflatable kayaks for the more adventurous among you, and a tasty lunch for all in the shade of the Gold Rush era oaks at our River Center.

]]> http://blog.aorafting.com/south-fork-float-trips/feed/ 0 http://blog.aorafting.com/south-fork-float-trips/ Seriously: Last chance for Tuolumne and Cherry Creek http://feed.aorafting.com/~r/aoblog/~3/0Vi4G50Euk8/ http://blog.aorafting.com/seriously-last-chance-for-tuolumne-and-cherry-creek/#comments Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:17:02 +0000 Malina http://blog.aorafting.com/?p=2851 Time to line up and start singing: “Goodnight, farewell, aufiederzein, goodbye!!!  Adieu! Adieu….”  Ok, ok, you get the picture.  This is the last weekend for rafting trips on the Tuolumne and Cherry Creek.  So for all you procrastinators out there, this is your final warning!  The ship is about to set sail on the Tuolumne river season for 2010!  After Labor Day, it’s O-V-E-R over!!!!

(Left: See how fun the T is?  Rox gives it a thumb–and a paddle up!)

]]> http://blog.aorafting.com/seriously-last-chance-for-tuolumne-and-cherry-creek/feed/ 0 http://blog.aorafting.com/seriously-last-chance-for-tuolumne-and-cherry-creek/ Middle Fork American Two-Day Trips http://feed.aorafting.com/~r/aoblog/~3/zBfwIB9fzlg/ http://blog.aorafting.com/middle-fork-american-two-day-trips/#comments Tue, 24 Aug 2010 14:46:42 +0000 Malina http://blog.aorafting.com/?p=2763 Summer is not exactly fading fast, but it’s about this time when it begins to dawn on us that it won’t last forever………..sure the weather is blazing, there are mountains of tomatoes in a full blaze of rainbow colors at the P’ville farmer’s market, the sunflowers are in full bloom at my dad’s house, and everyone at AO but me is tanned and toned and highlighted………but people are starting to talk sadly of the return to college, the transition to off-season schedules, and–most tortuous of all for moi–the plans for winter travel (I am SO busting in on a certain someone’s year abroad in TURKEY this year–I love ground lamb, hookas, and Roman ruins!  hello!!!).

So the point is, summer doesn’t last forever–and now is the time to get on a two-day, overnight, camp-under-the-stars-extravaganza on the Middle Fork of the American River.  Class IV rapids, side-hikes and sunny skies to thrill by day, twinkling stars, tasty food and good conversation at night.  And all this glory is only a few miles from the Hwy 80 corridor so it’s but a hop skip and jump from the Bay Area, Sacramento, and even Reno.  Grab some friends and come on up before the summer is donedonedone!

(above: side hike on the Middle Fork American River, above right: class VI (unrunnable) ruck-a-chucky falls)

]]> http://blog.aorafting.com/middle-fork-american-two-day-trips/feed/ 0 http://blog.aorafting.com/middle-fork-american-two-day-trips/ Two weeks left for Tuolumne and Cherry Creek rafting http://feed.aorafting.com/~r/aoblog/~3/frD_hvNwbgM/ http://blog.aorafting.com/two-weeks-left-for-tuolumne-and-cherry-creek-rafting/#comments Mon, 23 Aug 2010 17:00:13 +0000 Malina http://blog.aorafting.com/?p=2836 This is it:  only two more weeks for Tuolumne and Cherry Creek rafting trips!  Just after Labor Day Whabam! the party is OVER and we won’t have enough water for rafting–not until 2011!  If’n you hankering for some class IV wilderness or some class V insanity, it’s time to make your move. 

Call us to see what’s available! 1 800 247 2387…….we’re standing by seven days a week to hook you up with your dream Tuolumne experience.  Well, at least some great Tuolumne whitewater, a bad joke or ten, and a tasty meal or two.  The “dreamy” part we leave to you. :)

(top: the lovely T…..bottom: the intense CC!)

]]> http://blog.aorafting.com/two-weeks-left-for-tuolumne-and-cherry-creek-rafting/feed/ 0 http://blog.aorafting.com/two-weeks-left-for-tuolumne-and-cherry-creek-rafting/ Proof! Rafting is good for your brain! http://feed.aorafting.com/~r/aoblog/~3/XcnFFMGhrYc/ http://blog.aorafting.com/proof-rafting-is-good-for-your-brain/#comments Wed, 18 Aug 2010 13:12:57 +0000 Malina http://blog.aorafting.com/?p=2865 I love it when academia backs up the gospel we preach!  A recent NY Times article tells the tale of a group of bespecled professors setting aside their blackberries, cell phones, and iPads, and setting off for a multi-day raft trip on the San Juan river.  Experts in brain function and memory, they set out to discuss–and directly experience–the varying effects of technology, multi-tasking, and  constant stimulation on our minds, contrasted with a retreat into nature.

I heartily recommend closing your other web apps, setting down your smart phone, and reading the whole article soup-to-nuts, but if you just want to jump to the end:  Surprize!  The chance to genuinely decompress, unplug, and tune into nature and other human beings in an environment free from technological invasions is beneficial!  It’s fun! And restorative!  It helps you think more clearly, creatively and efficiantly!  So we have proof: rafting is good for you.

All of which begs the question…… what am I doing sitting at this computer?!  I work for a rafting company after all…….time to pull a string or two, and get myself on a river trip.

(Above: These lovely ladies seem to be doing just fine without their cell phones, thanks very much!  Below: Ah nature, layers of loveliness!)

]]> http://blog.aorafting.com/proof-rafting-is-good-for-your-brain/feed/ 0 http://blog.aorafting.com/proof-rafting-is-good-for-your-brain/ Where in the World is AO? Rafting on dry land….. http://feed.aorafting.com/~r/aoblog/~3/xoJ-2kMTSOk/ http://blog.aorafting.com/where-in-the-world-is-ao-rafting-on-dry-land/#comments Wed, 18 Aug 2010 00:36:14 +0000 Malina http://blog.aorafting.com/?p=2884 AO guides Mason and Hilary met on our South Fork of the American operation and decided to make it a season without end.  They are engaged and ready for the river of life…….Here they are, two lovebirds who are so enamoured of their rafting love story they busted out the full regalia of river gear right in their house.  Hilary is rockin’ the  infamous 1980s AO ”I survived Tunnel Chute” shirt.  If you met your one and only on a rafting trip with AO, invite us to your wedding (order extra food and bevvies–we know how to party) and send a pic of the two of you to Malina at aorafting.com

]]> http://blog.aorafting.com/where-in-the-world-is-ao-rafting-on-dry-land/feed/ 0 http://blog.aorafting.com/where-in-the-world-is-ao-rafting-on-dry-land/ How ’bout a little grape stompin’ with your paddlin’? http://feed.aorafting.com/~r/aoblog/~3/Wjyos98tUrs/ http://blog.aorafting.com/how-bout-a-little-grape-stompin-with-your-paddlin/#comments Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:17:29 +0000 Malina http://blog.aorafting.com/?p=2829 How’s this for a biathlon of fun?  Come up for an American River rafting trip this Saturday, have a tasty dinner at Marco’s Pizza or Cafe Mahjaic (well, eat where you want, I’m just giving a little advice as a local, don’t you know…), and then on Sunday go STOMP GRAPES at David Girard Winery!  I’m sorry but that sounds awesome!!!  Grapes skins everywhere!  Purple juice staining every tee-shirt within a mile radius!  Your mom might not like it but Bacchus will be delighted and if summer isn’t a time for Bacchus I just don’t know when is…..

Get more details from Girard:  http://www.davidgirardvineyards.com/events.html  (scroll down till you get to the Grape Stomp info!)

]]> http://blog.aorafting.com/how-bout-a-little-grape-stompin-with-your-paddlin/feed/ 0 http://blog.aorafting.com/how-bout-a-little-grape-stompin-with-your-paddlin/ Guide Bio: Mason! http://feed.aorafting.com/~r/aoblog/~3/_cXGVPeKl6M/ http://blog.aorafting.com/guide-bio-mason/#comments Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:35:03 +0000 Malina http://blog.aorafting.com/?p=2806 Mason.  He of the flaming rocket tattoo.   Hoster of mid-winter, off-season (possibly off-color, but I’m just guessing) Prom Nights. Secret channeler of The King, navigator of strange inflatable animals, and latest in a long line of AO love affairs (he’s betrothed to another AO guide–oh South Fork, you mysterious mistress of romance and commitement, how you lure us in, stinky chacos, funny tan lines, and endless deli sandwiches and all).  Mason brings with his mischivious personality other talents–a legacy of service in the armed forces (if he starts telling you stories about creative ways to heat a pot of water watch out!  This guy has some skills!), a serious love of adventure, and a sweet smile that keeps guests writing rave letters and coming back summer after summer.

(The many sides of Mason: Summer in Baghdad (second from left), Summer in the States (far right)………..)

]]> http://blog.aorafting.com/guide-bio-mason/feed/ 1 http://blog.aorafting.com/guide-bio-mason/ Great News for Middle Fork American Rafting http://feed.aorafting.com/~r/aoblog/~3/oH4KW_ybFVU/ http://blog.aorafting.com/great-news-for-middle-fork-american-rafting/#comments Fri, 13 Aug 2010 14:32:06 +0000 Malina http://blog.aorafting.com/?p=2818 Just a quick note to let you guys know we got some great news about water releases on the mighty Middle Fork for this fall!  We are going to have sweet, raftable flows SEVEN DAYS A WEEK through Sunday, October 3rd this year!  yuh-yeah!!!!! 

Wondering why we’re so excited?  Check out our Middle Fork American rafting video and see for yourself: http://www.aorafting.com/river/middle-fork-american/video.htm

]]> http://blog.aorafting.com/great-news-for-middle-fork-american-rafting/feed/ 0 http://blog.aorafting.com/great-news-for-middle-fork-american-rafting/ Headed to the Tuolumne or Cherry Creek this Weekend? http://feed.aorafting.com/~r/aoblog/~3/RTP97YmTFAo/ http://blog.aorafting.com/headed-to-the-tuolumne-or-cherry-creek-this-weekend/#comments Thu, 12 Aug 2010 21:30:55 +0000 Malina http://blog.aorafting.com/?p=2822 If you’re soon to be packing up for a trip on the Tuolumne or Cherry Creek you gotta go visit  Yosemite!  FREE park entrance  this weekend!  (still gotta pay overnight fees)  I’m sure the crowds will be out in force, but what a cool chance to add on a little more natural splendor to your adventure weekend.  Especially if you’re doing a family rafting trip and need to save $$$ wherever you can……

Check it out: http://www.mymotherlode.com/news/local/1114938/Yosemite-Waiving-Entrance-Fees.html?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=News

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