The holidays are upon us, and many of our guides are departing for far-flung destinations. Our local rivers are quiet. Our office staff is enjoying a collective deep breath after a hectic 2009 U.S. season. I was inspired to ask several folks in the O.A.R.S. office to take a few moments to appreciate and cherish what means most to them, and celebrate what they are most thankful for. Below are their answers…

George Wendt; O.A.R.S. Founder and President
I am incredibly grateful to provide a product that people appreciate, even in an economic downturn. Because our loyal travelers aren’t willing to sacrifice travel and time in the natural environment, we have managed to survive the worst economy in U.S. history. I consider myself extremely fortunate to share my passion for wild places with so many others, from families experiencing their first camping trips together to seasoned world travelers. Because of you, for 40 years my family and I have been able to seek out wild places, and share them with friends and guests, as our livelihood. May you too have much to be thankful for!

Tyler Wendt; Operations Manager
I’m thankful for my lovely wife and our home in Murphys, California. I’m grateful for the opportunity to live and work in this beautiful part of the world, surrounded by my family and a great group of friends and coworkers. And I’ll be thankful for the winter when it finally arrives and for the melting snow come spring.

Steve Markle; Marketing & Partnerships Director
I’m grateful to have a job…with a company that has mastered the recipe for providing intensely meaningful travel experiences. I appreciate that I am part of a company of caring people…who support each other and have managed to endure an economic downturn that could have just as easily sank the ship…I am grateful to all those who support my efforts to do my job well.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tweet This Post

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

No Comments »

A member of the O.A.R.S. Family of Companies, Rivers Fiji is a whitewater rafting, inflatable kayaking, multi-sport eco-outfitter based out of Pacific Harbour in the Fiji Islands. Recently honored at the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards for "Best for Preservation of Cultural Heritage," Rivers Fiji was one of 35 companies singled out by the judges. In total, there were more than 2000 nominations submitted by travelers worldwide.

A prestigious honor indeed, but who is Rivers Fiji and why the recognition?

O.A.R.S. is indebted to longtime friends, Nate and Kelly Bricker, for assisting in the creation of Rivers Fiji and the Upper Navua Conservation Area. Nate and Kelly first visited Fiji as tourists in 1993. They returned in subsequent years, exploring deep into the interior of Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu. In 1997, Nate was working for O.A.R.S.  Having just explored the Upper Navua River, he and Kelly enthusiastically talked to O.A.R.S. founder and president, George Wendt, about their vision of offering guided trips on the Wainikoriluva (‘luva) and Upper Navua rivers.

Tweet This Post

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

2 Comments »

Do you have an opinion about the Merced River? The National Park Service and Yosemite National Park are seeking the public’s ideas for a plan to protect the Merced River, which runs through the heart of Yosemite Valley.

In response to public comments the public scoping period has been extended to February 4, 2010.

According to Ranger Kari Cobb the Park is seeking public comment on how to preserve the pristine beauty of the Merced River but at the same time make it available for visitors to enjoy.

Tweet This Post

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

No Comments »

In honor of Veteran’s Day, all U.S. National Parks are waiving entrance fees today. You may still visit a national park, even if you aren’t one of the fortunate ones to get up and out from behind your desk today.

You may view 21 web cams spotlighting various parks via this U.S. Department of the Interior site. The National Park Service operates web cams at many parks, and photos are usually updated every 15 minutes. Many of these sites also offer air quality info as well. Check it out:  http://www.nature.nps.gov/air/WebCams/.

Thank you Veterans for putting your lives at risk for our safety – and thank you to all the folks who had the foresight and wisdom to set aside land for everyone to enjoy in the form of a national park.

Tweet This Post

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

No Comments »

In recognition of Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11th, all U.S. National Parks will offer free admission.

Visitors to public recreation lands managed by the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation are invited to take a day to honor and reflect on what our service men and women have done to maintain our freedom and keep peace around the world, Salazar said.

“The Department of the Interior is honored to offer this fee free day to thank our nation’s service men and women,” said Salazar said “The sacrifices and achievements of the brave men and women of our armed forces can never be understated. We invite all of our visitors to enjoy this fee free day and take time out on this national holiday to remember our service men and women who are currently serving overseas in harms way. ”

Tweet This Post

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

No Comments »

Sitting in a sleek, stealth dory, content with my thoughts, I watched golden strands of silk drift through the late afternoon sunlight in the Grand Canyon. These strands, actually tiny ballooning spiders, carried me into another world. One so entirely peaceful and relaxing, that nearly a year after the experience, my memory escapes back to that moment daily.

Have you descended into the bowels of the Grand Canyon to face Class 10 rapids or stood at the rim in awe of the canyon’s enormity? Have you experienced Yellowstone National Park’s geysers from the boardwalks or on a sea kayak away from the shuffling masses? Do you remember your first night spent under a blanket of stars? Was it in a national park?

Yosemite National Park Ranger, Shelton Johnson, in the Ken Burns “National Parks: America’s Best Idea” documentary, stated the obvious so eloquently – and the eloquent so obviously. His words, “A single moment in a national park can last forever” still resonate with me more than a month after I first heard them.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tweet This Post

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

No Comments »