Family, Love and Tradition

Family.

Tradition.

Love.

Namaste.

Our connections to one another have never been stronger and never more pertinent.

The nuclear family has changed for sure and for ever and that is a very good thing. Our iconoclastic, cellular, and micro-concept-manifest destiny that embodied the Ozzie & Harriet wax-statue family values that stereotyped our collective visions of the American Family for too many decades has been shattered and with good cause: Change Happens.

Our families have changed for good. Our families have become larger, more diverse, and non-traditional. That non-tradition had become a new tradition of richness and invigorating freshness.

Thanksgiving 2008 is a mixed bag of emotion that ranges from the economy to Barack Obama to the choice to serve a Vegan meal instead of the flesh of foul. Let's celebrate what we have become and what we are yet to be...

This year our family has diversified, flexed, re-focused and moved toward new frontiers while "embracing change". We will meet together this Thursday with a brilliant conflagaration of individuals that bring their unique talents, thoughts, gifts, and needs to the magic table of "Fun Castle" with a bounty of food, drink, music, art, and conversation. Sure we'll talk about whitewater rafting, trips, music, events, the economy, jobs, and fun/fun/fun ....but, we do it together as a diverse and flexible family of friends, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, cousins, and mystery members ...Thanks to all.

Namaste.

(Hail to the flesh...fowl and faux!)
Check white water gift certificates for a great family gift!
And don't forget the rafting teens this year...
Oh yeh, t-shirts in the online rafting store.

HALLOWEEN International

The sunlight is fading, and the darkness grows as we prepare for the Winter Solstice and the longest night and shortest day…but first Halloween!

Halloween has officially (I'm calling it) the biggest celebration in the World. Yes… true. Christmas is big, but it's still a secular holiday. New Years is big as well if you don't count the Lunar New Year celebrated by China and many of its neighbors (except the Hmong and Lo Mien that celebrate the New Year in late Fall). Carnival is huge; however, it too is secular and limited. Halloween is everywhere! East to West and in-between, we as a World now celebrate and participate in the rituals of Halloween (dressing-up, sweets, food, drink, parties)…. what's not to like?

Yes, there are those remnants of Druid rituals, All Hallows Night, All Saint's Day etc. brought to us in America by Irish immigrants after the Potato Famine; however, the Melting Pot that is America distilled the World's rituals into the unique celebration of Halloween that has spread to the middle, near, and far east and expanded the pre-existing celebrations of Europe.

We all love Halloween for what it is: an opportunity to be something/someone different and to celebrate with our children, family and friends.

So get your mask on, touch up your make-up, stock-up on candy, buy some eggs to chuck and don't forget to vote!

Psst….this year's secret, best-ever costume: a River Guide! Think of the possibilities: dreadlocks, spandex, poly-pro, big shorts, helmets, facial hair, thrift-store shirts, knives, PFD's, sandals, bad hair, tattoos, hemp chokers, and chipped teeth (or no-teeth!).

I'll be at Java Lounge to see two hot bands: Sucks (check out SacBee Sucks review) and Fatty Acid!

I'll leave you with this:
"Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth."
Oscar Wilde

WET RAFTING RESOURCES

We are solidly into the crisp coolness of Fall, and 2008 whitewater rafting in California is officially over... and it has been a glorious season indeed….

We started out in March after getting tuned up on two forks of the Smith River, the North Fork American River, and the Cal Salmon in February and early March. The class 4+ North Fork American provided a more-than-adequate season that stretched into late May. The moderate early Middle Fork American flows allowed us to run all three forks of the American River system simultaneously and that just doesn't happen that often. We had over 10 days of three-fork action! W.E.T. River Trips dominated all commercial rafting entries in the North Fork race. We quickly provided a world record on three forks, one day runs of all: North Fork, Middle Fork, and South Fork the following week. Later on in the summer, W.E.T. River Trips also won the Outfitter's Cup race on the South Fork American during the annual American River Festival.

Aside from that amazing start and those accomplishments, our guides (new and old) stepped up with advanced paddling rivers on North Fork Giants Gap, Dream Gap, Feather, Tuolumne's Cherry Creek, South Fork Silver Fork, Upper Cherry, and Burnt Ranch Gorge. The kayakers in the crew went off with upper Kings, Silver Fork, Kyburz, upper San Joaquin, and some super secret creekin' runs. The crew is headed to the Rogue for a five day wilderness trip as I write this…They just keep goin'. Awesome Crew of white water rafting guides!!!!!!

Those of you starting your planning for your event and rafting trips, here is a handy list of great white water rafting resources. One of our favorites is raftinfo, a directory of rafting companies. American river trips are featured by regions that include California, South West canyonlands, South East, North East, Rocky Mountain, Midwest, Alaska all rafting in USA, and Central and South America and lastly, Canada. There are also listings for favorite international whitewater rivers. "Choose a Rafting Outfitter" link will open up the list.

Another great resource for the Western United States (USA) is the California Whitewater Rafting site. This site lists rivers in California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Idaho. There are also featured international trips such as the popular Futaleufu in Chile in South America. Another great American river trip! Lists of rafting outfitters linked directly to their website will help you navigate quickly to the rafting company.

The non-profit organization American Whitewater also provides several resources for the paddling community. White water resources can be found throughout their site with river information, a library and community forum.

And for those of you planning special events such as weddings, bachelor party, corporate team building, education outdoors, or just the family trip will find several places on the net that will provide you with how to plan your group trip, and who to call for your event or party.

The 2009 white water rafting begins NOW…We are getting ready to provide some new options, new gear, and improvements to our camp at Camp Lotus. Call us for your group rafting trips and freeze 2008 prices (deadline for this incentive November 15th) before any price increases for 2009. Over the next few months we will stay busy with preparations, and we'll be deeply involved with events and planning!

2009 looks amazing….

Now repeat after me (scream it!):

Rain! Snow! Snow! Snow! …and melt it easy!

Snowboarding and adventure motorcycle rides are ready to be done (oh yeh…Wolf will be creekin' in December and January somewhere off of the Foresthill Divide!).

Stay tuned!

Rain! Snow! Snow! Snow! …and melt it easy!

Fall Rafting and End of Summer

We've had an amazing rafting season of California rivers that included the Rafting Triple Crown, all kinds of guide and rafting parties, Music, P.O.W. event, and river travel!

All the rafting activity wraps up now as we head into deep Autumn and Winter. Fall rafting will continue on the American River white water. Here's some pictures of rivers I took during some current rafting trips this past week.

Fall photos

We've had our first rain and a dusting of snow on top off the Sierra's as the rivers calm down and the preparations begin for the 2009 rafting season and a season of snowboarding and travel. 2009 is expected to be even better than ever with some new additions to the W.E.T. River Trips menu of trip itineraries and activities and the prognosticators are predicting an above-normal winter of rain and snow ...nice!

Some of the W.E.T. crew are headed out to new adventures with Mac going to Brazil, Chris Z. to Panama, Booty & Justin to Chile after a stop in Costa Rica, D-Rex (Ryan) will be ice-climbing and back-country skiing in Colorado, K-Dawg is expected to make the patrol roster at Sierra at Tahoe, Nate is remaining King of Patrol at Kirkwood, Jon is headed to the Caribbean after finishing up college in Maine and Utah, Kyle is getting married, Maggie is surfing a desk while stalking Mt. Rose daily, Greg D. is headed to the Canyon, Country Mike is having a baby, Saul is becoming an urban (Newport) farmer by establishing sustainable agriculture on his patio, Wolf and A2 are headed to Mexico after prepping for the GRE, Alex is finishing up at UC Berkeley, Jason is deep into fatherhood, Jonny is plotting a come-back, Meg is missing Cali, Mike S. and Mogli are honing their respective Ninja skills, Big Job Rob will be patrolling Sierra at Tahoe, Andrew will be blazing new trails in the entertainment media, Bird flew to Ashland, and Heffe is in love!

Fall brings changes and challenges...the rivers, the mountains, the oceans, and the guides of W.E.T. River Trips are out there soaking it up and prepping for the next big season of California Rafting beginning in just 4 short months.

It's beautiful outside... enjoy and think of that sweet cold, clear spring run-off and all that it brings to the rivers!

Burning Man or "I Got the Golden Ticket"

I haven't written anything for California Whitewater Rafting blog in a long time. Why? Well, the business of white water rafting and outdoor adventures is one that keeps me... well, rather busy. We are networking with so many new partners and ventures that just keeping up with it is more than anyone can handle. So, I don't write much anymore, and leave that to the younger blogging team and Big Poppa ... their writing is much more interesting and more timely than my musings or rants.

Several events are happening around American River trips. There was the P.O.W. show. I heard that the company did the first Punks on Water shows waaaaay back in the 80's. Big Poppa is an unusual boss. He is an old guy with a very young heart... and all of us that work for this company know it is a special relationship between employer and employee. He ain't like a regular boss... but I guess you all figured that out already.

Big Poppa and one of the senior crew members, Mizz Maggie hopped on the Burner's Psy bus and headed to the great vast Black Rock Desert for music, performance art and the party event of the year! Burning Man was calling and Big Poppa answered the call enthusiastically. Check his personal blog for a blow by blow pre-party contest and how Mizz Maggie won her "Golden Ticket".

He promised to write part 2 of the Burning Man episode to fill in the rest of the story... I want to see the video and the pictures, peeps... I heard Kev was there hanging out along with several other Burners that we all know and love... hahaha... you know who you are. Oh, yeah... and Mack sent this video to the office from the last group rafting trip on the South Fork American... Big Poppa sure talks up rafting and food!



More party events are happening this weekend with the American River Festival, several day hikes around the rivers and even a kayak sale brought to you by The River Store in the Lotus Coloma Valley. Summer is gone, but WET trips continue for Fall rafting and Winter boating.

One thing Big Poppa said when he got back to the office... he said, "For 50K people that were there, it sure was calm... no riots, no fighting... just love and more love..." And that is what makes the world go round and round and round and round... PEACE OUT!

PUNKS ON WATER ... P.O.W.

W.E.T. River Trips has had an alter-ego for the past 27 of our 30 years in business as a whitewater outfitter....
P.O.W. Punks on Water!

P.O.W. re-emerges this coming weekend on Sunday August 3rd to host a benefit for the American River Conservancy with a concert/party on the banks of the South Fork of the American River at the Nugget Campground.

In the interest of creating opportunities for meaningful cultural exchanges and in the spirit of celebrating diversity.... P.O.W. is importing bands from Davis, Sacramento and the surrounding area with DJ zAc from HexLove maintaining the groove!

Buffoonery, Hijinks, and swell times will be had by all.....

And in the interest of fostering diversity and cultural exchanges... Hippies are now very welcome at all P.O.W. events!!!!

$5 cover 6:00pm - 9:30pm on 8.3.8

When's the next event?

Note from W.E.T. River Trips::: for more info on California whitewater rafting see the C-W-R.com website peeps!

SPEEDO SUNDAY and P.O.W. Event!

This season W.E.T. River Trips has been joined by a new seasoned rafting guide from Colorado: Ky. Ky is a high school math teacher and head varsity swim coach in Northern California ... oh, sure he sounds good; however, there is a very dark side to Mr. Ky. Before delving into Ky's deviate and shocking behavior, I'm compelled to mention that Heffe is simultaneously an instigator and cohort to Mr. Ky's debauchery (we need to also note now that Heffe is also a swimmer).

As soon as Ky arrived, there was an strong bond between the two swimmers. There was certainly an easy conversational rapport between Heffe and Ky. Again ... they are both swimmers, and Heffe formerly swam at the high school where Ky is now head coach. Ky and Heffe simply became fast friends and although Ky and Heffe certainly got along with our other guides as well ... there was (and is) most clearly a palpable "bond" between them.

Two Sundays ago (yes, on a sabbath), Ky and Heffe conspired to create SPEEDO SUNDAY on the formerly pristine and unmolested Middle Fork American River that at one time was known primarily for great Class 4 rapids and the legendary Tunnel Chute rapid that drops over 15 vertical feet, and sends whitewater rafters through a tunnel in the side of a rocky ridge deep in a pristine canyon filled with cool, clear water .... at least until SPEEDO SUNDAY.

Everything has changed since Ky and Heffe tugged on their tiny garments of Lycra and sashayed their way down a defenseless river filled with other adventurers and innocent woodland creatures. No longer do the deer stare blankly as rafts slide quietly by. Now, they furtively glance and skittishly shift their tiny hooves back and forth not knowing to look or to simply look away for fear of the sight of Ky and Heffe in the bold projections of their alleged manhood coyly disguised in their tiny speedo suits. Even the local population of Rainbow and German Brown trout appear to be very agitated and nervous.

Other river clients and guides have been seen shielding their eyes at the take-out below Rucka-Chucky Falls at Greenwood Bridge and some brazen guys and gals were heard to crudely project cat-calls in mocked enjoyment (or was it disgust?) of "Speedo Sunday". (Note from W.E.T. River Trips: now, now peeps; the Europeans, Brasilians, etc wear speedos, so what's the big deal... ahh these crazy Americans!)

Sadly, last Sunday ... charismatic Ky enlisted a young and impressionable J Tsunami into his conspiracy to corrupt OUR river environment even further! Yes, J Tsunami donned a tiny black Speedo along with Mr. Ky for another "Speedo Sunday" participant!

I have now received photos of the "official" SPEEDO SUNDAY suits (Purple with chartreuse flowers and a bold raftwet.com emblazoned across the rump of each tiny suit ... who's next?

Sorry to report that the debauchery has now expanded to Saturdays. Mizz Maggie declared last Saturday SHIRTLESS SATURDAY as she guided the entire river and traveled back to our meeting spot behind Raley's in Auburn without a shirt or undergarment ... instead she simply wore her PFD (lifejacket) the entire time. No slips or mishaps were reported; however, the truth is surely out there. All will be revealed (and hopefully not on SPEEDO SUNDAY or SHIRTLESS SATURDAY). I can only cringe as to what Wolf has up his sleeve to "enhance" the whitewater rafting trips on other days and on other rivers such as the South Fork American River. Whitewater river trips are changed forever...

Note from W.E.T. River Trips: we do not condone this hella behavior! For a more ... ahem... dressed affair, our first event for the late summer season is coming this Sunday on August 3, 2008 ::: Returning after 30 years, Punks on Water reigns supreme again! P.O.W. comes back with a vengeance at the Nugget on the South Fork American River... be there or be very square or not be at all... but you will be missing out on the party of year! Check Big Poppa's post on his personal W.E.T. River Trips events calendar! ... and, oh yeah, hippies are welcome!