Eleven long time friends, five guides, and two new families, on the Rogue for four days…..how was it? The BEST trip ever! I’ve traveled with O.A.R.S. on over ten trips and they just keep getting better and better! The attention to detail is unsurpassed, want great customer service? Nothing beats an O.A.R.S. trips. There are five star hotels who teach customer service, but O.A.R.S. has them beat! If ‘five star’ awards were given for adventure travel O.A.R.S. would be awarded the highest honor year and year. This particular Rogue River trip combined some long time friends, with new folks and five guides. A great opportunity to meet new people, share an incredible river experience and create perfect memories. I continually refer to O.A.R.S. as ‘camping with no effort’. Waking up in the morning to fresh coffee brewing, fruit, juice and cereal all ready for you is such a treat. But it doesn’t stop there, next thing you know the eggs benedict are cooking and you’re in heaven! It’s truly amazing the gourmet meals the guides whip up after unloading our stuff, setting up camp, entertaining the kids and rowing the river all day. The guides deserve the credit for a great trip! We’re ready to it again in a heartbeat! Thank you for O.A.R.S. for giving us an opportunity to experience the outdoors like no other!

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The Grand Canyon – She is Forever Timeless…the walls of the Grand Canyon call out to me as we slowly row down the Colorado River Faces of men and creatures stare out from her walls as if begging not to be forgotten Faces of Mayan kings, Indian warriors, and chiefs stand guard like sentinels protecting the secrets of the earth the millions of years of history forever embedded in her rock Ancient walls of Shale, Limestone, and Granite, with colors of deep red, purple, and brown Schists of molten pink and black rock collide with the ever changing emerald green waters of the Colorado rapids And if by chance You are fortunate enough to see her waterfalls after a rain you will be where the past, present, and future meet in The Grand Canyon for she is forever timeless…

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In our most recent blog post about camping, we discussed what you can expect on any standard O.A.R.S. river trip, but if sleeping in a tent isn’t your thing, check out the accommodations below for a flavor more suitable to your palate. Our favorites range as far as the majestic Andes to the wilds of British Columbia. It’s a perfect way to enjoy the comforts of home while visiting these remote locations.

Lodge at Chilko Lake: An upscale private residence in British Columbia’s historic ranch country at the head of the Chilko River. Overlooking the river valley and picturesque mountaintops, the main lodge is a formidable log structure manufactured from local timber and is the focal point for meals, cocktails and socializing. It has wireless Internet, a big screen television (if you must), and comfortable lounge chairs in the main dining room.  The upper level is a luxurious suite with an impressive king bedroom, sitting area and grand bathroom complete with double headed showers. The ground floor has a bar and lounge, game room and access to the popular fire pit area. The cabins feature fine craftsmanship, comfortable furnishings and a magnificent collection of antiques and collectibles. The ranch is perched closely to Ts’yl-os Provincial Park, the prize jewel of the British Columbia park system. This slice of paradise is also our home base for our 5-day Lodge at Chilko Lake Multi-Sport. Other than rafting, this tour includes: kayaking, hiking, bike riding and fishing, with additional options to go horseback riding or heli-hiking at 7,000 – 9,000 feet above sea level.

Lillaskog Lodge:  A classic mountain house that makes you feel happily stranded in the woods. Located thirty minutes outside of Yosemite National Park in northern California, Lillaskog Lodge offers complimentary breakfast each morning for their guests, fresh eggs from their chickens and homemade bread. This rustic lodge is minutes away from where O.A.R.S. meets for their Tuolumne River trips, and rests on top of a hill above a prime fishing spot accessible only by a covert trail. In 1980, a wildfire crawled across the hillside; subsequently, sapling trees sprouted in its wake the day owner Bill Charlson purchased the property. He built the rustic lodge and appropriately named it Lillaskog, which is German for, ‘small forest.’ Today it’s a two-story log cabin with wood-burning natural heat ventilation, and a common room complete with a fireplace, TV & book collection, and even a grand piano. The deck looks out over the Sierra backcountry just east of the town of Groveland. With over seven rooms uniquely named to match local fames like Tioga, El Capitan or Bridalveil, there’s no denying this place its unique character.

Written by Lauren de Remer

O.A.R.S.' Marketing Communications Coordinator & Waterblogged Editor

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As I travel down the rivers of Idaho each week, I sometimes feel there are hidden eyes watching us.  I like to believe they are the spirits of the ancient people who lived in these canyons before modern society.  At least, we certainly see evidence of these people on our river trips.

There have been Native Americans in the Snake and Salmon River watersheds for over 10,000 years.  Known as the Nez Perce (who call themselves, “Nimíipuu,” meaning, “The People”) and Shoshone-Bannock (descendents of the Mountain Sheepeaters) tribes, these people lived off the land and took advantage of the fish, game and native, edible plants found in the river corridors.

Written by Debbie Hausler

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After 25 years of marriage to the most incredible lady, I was able to fulfill a childhood dream of hers by giving her an anniversary gift that will last forever. On our 24 wedding anniversary, I surprised her with a hot air balloon ride over Monument Valley, Arizona. Upon landing the balloon my children and a guide surprised her with a champagne lunch and gifts. One of the gifts was the announcement of the OARS Dories trip into the Great Unknown, The Hidden Canyon, The Grand Canyon. After one year and a few weeks, we just finished creating memories that will truly last a lifetime and beyond. We had such an amazing trip from stem to stern. The wonderful guides, The Dales, went well beyond our expectations and made this trip a fulfillment of childhood dreams. Absolutely the best time imaginable. Highly recommend this trip to anyone willing to enjoy the wonders of God’s work.

Thank you for allowing me to fulfill one of my wifes childhood dreams. Due to financial considerations and time away from work we were not able to take the lower half of the trip but upon her 50th birthday in 2011, we plan to return to see the lower half of this most unique wonder. Thank you so very much for helping me fulfill those dreams for my wife. Dreams can come true in a Dory from OARS.

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Words cannot describe what an incredible experience O.A.R.S. provided for us on their Galapagos Multi Sport trip!!! Our guides James Rodger and Miguel Vera truly put together an experience of a lifetime! And brought customer service to a whole new level. Their expertise, attention to detail, assistance and knowledge were unsurpassed! Can anything beat snorkeling with (friendly!)sharks, frolicking with sea lions, swimming with sea turtles and rays, getting close up and personal with penguins, discovering tortoises in the wild???? The list goes on and on! All this and more while enjoying the islands, people and, of course, the food! Each meal was fantastic, prepared by the local hotel owners…. on a multi sport trip we still managed to gain a few pounds!

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Those of you who have traveled with O.A.R.S. on previous rafting or multi-sport adventures are undoubtedly familiar with the efforts we take to create a comfortable camping experience for all our travelers. However, for those who have yet to experience the art of camping with O.A.R.S., allow us to share a few examples of what you should expect on a multi-day adventure:

First off, our guides are experts at finding the best camp spots away from other groups. You may often feel as though you are the only ones on the river. Camp may be at a still, sandy alcove on the water’s edge, or a sunny, green clearing among mammoth cedars and towering cliff faces. There are trailheads, fishing hideaways and swimming holes just a few moments away.

Upon arrival at camp, your guides will set up comfortable camp chairs, drinking water, a “loo with a view” (placed at a discrete location away from camp generally with a scenic vista), a hand-wash station, and a full-scale kitchen.

Written by Lauren de Remer

O.A.R.S.' Marketing Communications Coordinator & Waterblogged Editor

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