LATE GUESTS...Late Arrivals

Sun is streaming through the trees, bathing the sidewalk in a bright light that is almost painful to view after months of dark clouds and gray fog. The neighbors are having their annual spring sidewalk sale. Cars zipping up to park and people milling around as I could hear their voices this early morning. Peaceful day, and I was drinking my tea and peering through the window glass at the shoppers.

Brring, brring... the phone. And, for me, the early morning ring can only mean one thing. A guest is lost or late. Every single day. Someone is late.

Thanks to markedlines.com for this pic

When the guest calls, they usually say, "Hi, I am so-and-so... and we will be there in 10 more minutes. Please wait for us."

I am instructed to ask the caller where they are, so I can get an accurate timing on what to tell the head guides and our greeter on the guest's arrival time. Sounds simple, right? Wrong! The guest does not know the route!

Guests are coming here to Lotus Coloma from all locations of the universe. Some people are neighbors in the local area. Others are from Sacramento, just about 45 minutes away and other valley towns like Lodi, Modesto, etc. While most may come from the Bay Area such as San Francisco, San Jose, and all other bay area locations approximately 3 hours away. And, of course, all our Southern California friends who drive all night or fly-in to Sacramento International Airport, and then drive-in on the morning or the night before.

So, how do we expect ANYONE to arrive on time?

Here is what we suggest:

1. Read confirmation as soon as you receive it; be prepared, check your links, and plan ahead.
2. Trial drive; for those who are nearby and can take a day to "practice" that drive (lots to do and see up here! pack a lunch and picnic at one of the locations in the area near the river)
3. Google maps; no excuses, peeps! Maps galore on the internet and we give you the address in your confirmation.
4. Plan your timing; if you know the kids/friends/group procrastinate, plan for that.
5. Japan time; ok, but that is what my mom called it (Japanese mother who always claimed that she was late due to "Japan time" so everyone at my house had to get up 1 hour earlier than necessary).
6. Consideration; for your fellow human beings, and it's called good manners.

Do what it takes to arrive on time. Why? Because the other guests do not like waiting for you, and neither does the river. Relax and enjoy your day by planning ahead and being on time. I guarantee you will be more light-hearted when you arrive... and that is where we want the river to take us, if you allow your heart and soul to receive that precious gift.

Ok, now I ragged on you all... but, keep in mind. Once you get on that beautiful river, nothing will matter. That harried morning, the crazy drive... the morning will fade away as you will slow down to river time. And the rush of whitewater? Oh, what a thrill! Nothing matters anymore... except your loved ones... and spending this time on the river with them is pure joy!

W.E.T. paddler on North Fork American River

God bless, Namaste
I'm on the phones!
Blogging from the office...
Thanks to markedlines.com for their photo
Thanks to W.E.T. River Trips for their photo

NORTH FORK AMERICAN CHAMBERLAIN FALLS w/ WET River Trips

NORTH FORK AMERICAN CHAMBERLAIN FALLS w/ WET River Trips, a photo by W.E.T. River Trips on Flickr.

California whitewater rafting with W.E.T. River Trips on North Fork American River. Class 4+. Whitewater rafting. Springtime. Minimum age is 16 years old. Call us 1.888.723.8938.

Via Flickr:
spring rafting on class 4+ whitewater in northern california

North Fork American starts March 2011

On my way down Hwy 80 after a day of snowboarding to enjoy the fresh powder of "Snowmagedon" (the latest and most amazing snow storm in a decade that dropped 2 feet of snow at 3,000 ft. and over 10 ft. on the Sierra summit), I drove down to the Iowa Hill bridge to check out the flows on the North Fork American River.

I found snow at the put-in and a rising river that will be more than ready to deliver solid class 4 whitewater that should easily last through May.

Information on the beautiful North Fork American can be found at several resources including:

• C-W-R (California Whitewater Rafting) info site
• RAFTWET (W.E.T. River Trips) WET's official website
• CACreeks (All kinds of creeks and rivers) private rafters and kayak site
• Rafting Online Store (Buy Now!) for WET River Trips

Get your friends together and come on out for California's best river trips this spring. The river is ready and so are we as we start our whitewater trips starting this weekend on March 5, 2011!

All photos by Poppah Jah from his Picasa album and uploaded from W.E.T. River Trips blogging staff for this blog, the official California Whitewater Rafting blog for our company.

white water safety talk wet river trips

white water safety talk wet river trips
Originally uploaded by W.E.T. River Trips

What an incredible year we had! The best white water rafting in 10 years was delivered to us in 2010.

Great flows in the early season with a long North Fork American season. Then, came the Middle Fork American with the longest river rafting season we have had in a very long time!

Yesterday, was our last final Middle Fork trip for 2010. The weekend had approximately 30 people showing up in summer gear! The weather was hot and the white water rapids were awesome.

Justin was smooth as ever as he delivered his no-nonsense white water safety talk. He is a former outdoor counselor/instructor and knows exactly how to instill both respect for the river and trust in his skills with his guest paddlers. As a surfer, kayaker, whitewater rafting guide and explorer, Justin brings a world-class experience to our rafting trips.

Jonny gave quite a show as he navigated his raft over Class 6 Rucka-Chucky rapid. The guests were cheering from the side of the river high above the falls since we do not allow any of our commercial guests to attempt this rapid. Jonny is one of WET's longest employed guides on our staff. He started so young that he is still a young man, and his enthusiasm never wains. His love of the river and his unique approach has brought him to a career in education. It was a natural outcome to his experiences with WET and educating our guests.

Duff was fishing on his day off nearby. The WET crew saw him on shore as he fished for trout. The guy can't stay away from this beautiful wilderness river and the trout fishing there is very good.

The cool thing about the entire weekend was WET River Trips was the only rafting trip on the river. Middle Fork American was at its supreme beauty! Crystal blue skies, 85+ degrees, beautiful white water and a group of guests who appreciated the river.

This is why we do our trips. WET guests are the best! And, we appreciate their patronage, their trust and their goodwill. We will see you all soon in a few more months for the North Fork American starting in spring of 2011.

First trip in 2011? March 4th on Friday for Class 4+ North Fork American Chamberlain Falls run. Are you gonna be there?