Waterblogged Readers:

I’ve been writing and editing this blog for three years, (an eternity in the internet business). It’s time to move on and allow other voices to share their enthusiasm for the world’s waterways. I will focus my writing and photography skills elsewhere.

I created this space for O.A.R.S. as a way to reach out to guests and potential adventurers to share vacation ideas, travel tips, environmental news, and maybe brag a wee bit about this eco-conscious adventure travel company along the way. Waterblogged has taken us from California’s Tuolumne River, which is literally up the road from my home and office, to the white sand beaches of Fiji, to glacial-carved rivers in Alaska and into the depths of the Grand Canyon.

I’d like to thank George Wendt for following his dream of sharing wild places, as well as preserving and protecting them. And I’d like to thank you, dear readers, for following along.

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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You may now incorporate a day or two of bicycling at the beginning or end of your Grand Canyon rafting trip. According to a recent Associate Press article, a bicycle rental program has been added at Grand Canyon National Park. The National Park Service issued a commercial use permit to Bright Angel Bicycles LLC for the rental program. Guided tours also will be offered. Park Superintendent Steve Martin says bicycling is a good way for visitors to experience the park’s popular South Rim, which has bicycle-friendly infrastructure. Bicyclists won’t have to contend with private vehicle traffic in some areas.

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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CaliforniaTravelExpert.com editor, Veronica Hill, featured our Tuolumne “Wine on the River” trip as her pick of the day.

Our gourmet rafting trip features exciting Class III-IV whitewater rafting throughout the day, followed by comfortable beach camping, knowledgeable wine stewards, and gourmet cuisine prepared by a guest chef. California’s Wild and Scenic Tuolumne River is located just outside of Yosemite National Park, within a half-day’s drive from San Francisco and Sacramento. Scheduled 2-day trips on the “T” begin on May 4 and May 11 ($525 per person), and 3-day trips are planned for Aug. 17 and Aug. 23 ($791 per person).

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Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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Avid outdoors-person Katrina Kehl wanted her children’s introduction into the natural world to be a pleasant experience. A backpacking trip would mean a lot of pre-planning, packing, walking with heavy packs, cooking and cleaning up after meals. After careful consideration, her family chose to join an all-inclusive whitewater rafting trip on the Lower Salmon River in Idaho.

In a recent conversation Katrina revealed to me, “Joining an O.A.R.S. vacation is enticing because the logistics and details are managed for us. There is little work involved on the parent’s part. Additionally, a whitewater rafting trip forces kids to be resourceful and play with what is available. It also forces the adults to slow down and have a conversation or read a book or do nothing at all. Being in a raft and hiking and enjoying camp also gets you to stop, look around and pay attention, if only for five or six days. The trip is so relaxing: you have no idea what is going on outside the river canyon and eventually you do not care. It is different than going to Hawaii or Europe or a resort, because in those places you always have access to TVs, phones, electronics, and a schedule.”

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Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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We’d like to welcome new friends to the O.A.R.S. page on Facebook® and do some good in the process, so between now and Earth Day—April, 22nd—we’re donating $1 to the Tuolumne River Trust (up to a maximum of $2500) for every new O.A.R.S. fan.

Write on our wall. Listen in. Post your photos. Join a conversation. Tell us about your adventures. In turn, we’ll share with you timely photos and videos from our trips, as well as interesting news and special offers on some great adventures. Get to know the people behind the company—and help us get to know you.

The Tuolumne River:  Located just outside Yosemite National Park, the Tuolumne (pronounced Too-all-uh-me)  offers 18 miles of desolate canyon, thrilling Class III-IV rapids and hikes up side canyons carved by cascading waterfalls. It’s almost hard to imagine finding this kind of remote wilderness just a short drive from the San Francisco Bay Area.

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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To make it easier to experience America’s Great Outdoors, the National Park Service is waiving entrance fees, so visitors can enjoy all 392 national parks for free April 17-25. Where will you go?

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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Visit WeJustGotBack.com for a chance to win a 4-day family rafting trip in Colorado. The winning family will raft through Dinosaur National Monument with O.A.R.S., paddle through fun, splashy rapids; hike along rippling creeks to side canyon waterfalls; camp on big, sandy beaches; enjoy hearty, healthy meals; explore petroglyphs and fossilized remains of dinosaurs preserved in ancient rock walls; and view a night sky like you’ve never experienced before.

The New York Times called one of our Twitter buddies, We Just Got Back, “an authoritative voice in family trip-planning,” and Forbes considers our friends "the tell-it-like-it-is family travel website." They were selected as a 2009 Gold Magellan Award Winner by Travel Weekly magazine, one of the industry’s most prestigious honors. We Just Got Back covers topics from national parks to cruises to how and what to pack and how to plan a vacation with preschool children and just about everything in between.

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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I know what you’re thinking: it’s only March. But, blink and your summer vacation will have come and gone.  Blink again and your children will be learning to drive and, before long, heading to college, careers and families of their own. Is it ever too early to plan your family vacation? The sooner you make plans and reservations, the more likely you are to get the exact dates and family adventure of your choice.

Here are a handful of websites and blogs to help you plan your summer fun:

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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Life offers us certain magical treasures that cannot be duplicated. Eating a fresh, warm, buttery croissant in a Parisian café. Sharing your first glimpse into Yosemite Valley with someone special. Sharing a pennant victory on home soil with your baseball-loving kids. Experiencing a whitewater river trip in a sleek, classic dory.

Smooth, solid, surreal…As stylish as it is burly, a dory is to the river what an Italian sports car is to mean, urban streets and rowdy rural routes. No other boat is as capable, safe or elegant on the wild waters that O.A.R.S. explores. Beyond their stout, thoughtful design dories hold a soulful connection to the river and a heritage of western exploration. Combined, the qualities of the vessel make for an unmatched and unforgettable journey.

Dories are made for rock and roll. They’re also finely tuned to provide classic amenities. Hardwood-hulled but ultra-buoyant, they slice walls of wave, buck through rapids and land large drops with ease (and more than enough splash).

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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Whether I’m laughing my way through Lava Falls in the Grand Canyon or camel trekking in the Sahara desert, I love to travel. I’ve explored five continents and paddled or rowed my way through nearly 200 whitewater rafting trips, and I’ve never tired of meeting people and experiencing life through their eyes. I go hog wild researching an area before arriving at my destination—I enjoy the research almost as much as the vacation! Here are 10 tips that can assist you before booking your adventure travel vacation.

What Are You In The Mood For?

• Be honest, you’ve worked hard for this vacation. Do you want to crank up the adrenaline, relax and enjoy a river from the bow of a boat, explore desert canyons and Native American artifacts or paddle your way through misty Canadian bays in search of killer whales? Do you want to relax around a campfire and sleep under the stars or would you like to experience a hot shower and linens at the end of your day—or perhaps you’d prefer a little of each? If you are traveling with a friend, child, and/or loved one, make sure you want similar vacations to avoid unnecessary friction.

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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