Not exactly winos are we, but some of us rafting enthusiasts here at O.A.R.S. enjoy a good glass (or two) (or so) of wine. So, it made perfect sense to us to create ‘Wine on the River’ rafting trips. (You know the saying, “wine and water go together like…”) We got the word out and these getaways soon turned into some of our most popular rafting excursions. The media immediately picked up on our trips…. and we’re excited to be honored by NBC11’s In Wine Country. The show, hosted by Mary Babbitt, is a 30-minute weekly journey to wineries, restaurants, resorts, homes and gardens all across wine country. She goes behind the scenes to show viewers the best of wine country, including world-famous wineries, celebrity chefs, gardens, decorating ideas, arts, artisan foods, great escapes and adventures.

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Did you know this coming Sunday, September 30, is BC Rivers Day – a celebration held every year on the last Sunday in September.  BC Rivers Day began in 1980 with a volunteer clean-up beside the Thompson River in British Columbia, and the range of events has grown dramatically since then.  Events are coordinated by the Outdoor Recreation Council of British Columbia.   The success of this event in B.C. has also recently led to the establishment of a National Rivers Day, and as part of the UN Water for Life Decade, World Rivers Day has been celebrated each September since 2005.  BC Rivers Day is a model for World Rivers Day and concurrent river-related events will take place in a number of different countries.  

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Here’s a question submitted by Waterblogged reader Matt: How often do your rafts and dories get punctured by rocks?

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Nothing like letting off a little steam at the end of the busy season. It was another glorious day on the South Fork. No matter where you’ve been in the world, no matter how many rivers you have run – the South Fork of the American River always brings extreme joy.

We had six boats of staff members, family and friends – some of whom had never been in a raft before. There were only a couple of involuntary swimmers the entire day… but you’ll have to ask our California Adventure Consultant – TYRA - about the details. She’s not only one of the most animated office members, but also a river guide extraordinaire… most of the time.

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This year we swapped the motors on our gear boats for our Jackson Lake trips for new four-stroke engines, reducing fuel consumption significantly, and we provide on-site employee housing in most destinations, sparing our guides and staff from potentially lengthy, carbon-emitting commutes.  Additionally, 20% of the fuel used in our Grand Canyon gear vehicles is now bio-diesel.

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The heat of summer is waning. Students are returning to their classrooms. The annual summer RV pilgrimage is thinning. The avalanche of phone calls to the O.A.R.S. office is in a short-lived, change-of-season lull, so most of the office staff is heading to, or has already been, to the rivers. Office mates Joy (Grand Canyon adventure consultant) and Azz (Idaho adventure consultant) have recently returned from Hells Canyon of the Snake River, though on different trips. Never one to miss a party, Azz signed up for the Wine on the River trip, which was originally scheduled to take place on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. It was re-routed due to the Idaho fires. She reported that wine flowed free, as did the laughter. Joy returned from her trip with big smiles and great photos, including some images that showed remnants of the summer’s earlier fires. Mindy – our newly anointed 2007 Condé Nast Traveler “Top Travel Specialist” – is on her way to Oregon for the Rogue Wilderness Gourmet trip. Stacey (previously a Canyonlands/Wyoming adventure consultant, currently our new International consultant) and Kim (Utah and Wyoming adventure consultant) are on the Green River through the Gates of Lodore as this message is being posted. We are eagerly awaiting their reports.

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Five years ago, in 2002, people who loved the Stanislaus River threw a reunion party.  That gathering has since become an annual tradition.  Last fall these folks decided to have a major event every five years, while still having smaller gatherings in the other years.  It is time this year for the ‘Every Five Year Stanislaus River Reunion’.   The event is being held this year at Camp Lotus, alongside the South Fork American River, on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, September 28-30.  The organizers state that there will be singing, rafting on the South Fork American (if there are sufficient flows) and lots of reminiscing about the good ol’ days when The Stan ran free and wild.  This is also an opportunity to learn what is currently happening with the river and the plans for its future.  Bring your camping gear, the kids, boats, food, musical instruments, old photos, stories, and anything else you want to share.   Stanislaus Reunion Contacts: Mark Dubois  at mdubois@igc.org Alexander Gaguine at gaguine@baymoon.com Kevin Wolf at kevin@wolfandassociates.com Melinda Wright at melindawright@juno.com

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O.A.R.S.’ adventure consultants are routinely asked:  What is the bathroom situation on a river?  Will there be a private place each day to ‘take care of business’?

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