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River Trips with a Twist
Specialty Rafting in Utah and Colorado
There’s more than epic levels of snowmelt
filling the West’s rivers this season. Specialty rafting is hot and outfitters
are focusing on affinity groups, skill trips, and unique local attractions.
Adrift
Adventures of Jensen, Utah is offering specialty rafting trips this summer with
an eclectic range of themes. What they all share is Adrift’s quarter-century of
experience and expertise in family trips and environmental learning
expeditions.
Banjos, Bluegrass and Boats – Lodore
River, launching August 26
Music lovers will swing to the beat of
bluegrass music by night and rock ‘n’ roll through the rapids by day on Adrift’s
five-day Banjos, Bluegrass and Boats trip. This specialty trip is designed for
persons who love bluegrass music, rafting exciting rapids at peak river flows,
and beholding the sublime beauty of slickrock wilderness canyons. There is a
special emphasis on providing opportunities for guests to listen to and learn
about bluegrass music as it is played in natural alcoves, amphitheaters and
narrow side canyons. The package includes local airport pickup, shuttles,
professional rafting guides and gear, a lively bluegrass band and tasty meals.
Writing and Rafting – Green River,
launching August 18
Utah’s spectacular Slickrock canyon country
is the setting for five days of literary instruction, inspiration and insight on
Adrift’s Writing and Rafting trip. Guests will discover new realms of
creativity and personal fulfillment on a journey that combines outdoor adventure
and outdoor writing. Against the stunning backdrop of the natural and historical
features of Dinosaur National Park on the Colorado-Utah border, participants
will practice the elements of creative non-fiction writing, including travel,
nature, adventure, history, and science.
This course, offered in cooperation with
the Extended Studies Office of Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, will be
taught by William R. Gray, a veteran writer, editor, and book publisher. Will
worked for National Geographic Society for more than three decades and traveled
the world on various editorial assignments.
The first day includes writing instruction
interspersed between inspirational visits to Fremont Indian rock art sites, a
dinosaur fossil quarry and natural history museum, slickrock canyons and
historic ranches. Launch follows the next day on the Green River for a four-day
rafting trip through exhilarating rapids, camping in wilderness canyons each
night. Each river day will feature lively instruction and critiques in the
morning and around the campfire, and plentiful opportunities to hone writing
skills. Preference is given to adults 18 and older, although children 15 and
older accompanied by a parent or grandparent will be considered.
Paleo-Paddling – Green River, launching
August 1
Children and their parents, or
grandparents, get a taste of whitewater rafting, spend quality time together and
explore the canyon wilderness on Adrift’s popular Paleo Paddling trip. This
popular run combines the fun of rafting intermediate rapids, hiking short trails
used by Indians and outlaws, building giant sand forts, dipping in a waterfall,
and keeping a lookout for eagles, peregrine falcons, bighorn sheep and river
otters.
The pace is slower and special stops will
be made in order to cater to the variable curiosity and energy levels of
children age six and older. Adrift's owners have carefully designed this
vacation based on river rafting experiences with their own family. Highlights of
this four-day Green River expedition include visiting the world's largest
in-situ dinosaur fossil bone collection in Dinosaur National Monument, digging
for marine invertebrate fossils outside the park, and thrilling whitewater
rapids.
The program is designed for families with
little or no rafting experience. It is a complete package with licensed guides,
boating and camping gear, all meals expertly prepared by guides, shuttles and
even a fossil exploration kit for children. Adrift has a "Director of Fun and
Learning" to ensure kids have many chances to learn about Lodore Canyon's
wildlife and colorful history.
Additional information and pricing for all
trips offered by Adrift Adventures is available at
www.adrift.com or by calling toll free (800) 824-0150.
Edited by Erika Wright
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