Adventure Log

Rafting the Arkansas River Brown's Canyon
White water rafting down the Arkansas River can be many things, but never boring. We have enjoyed two trips down the Arkansas, each a very different experience. Our first river run was a half-day excursion down the section of river known as Brown’s Canyon. Our group of eight was too heavy for one raft, given the water level of the river, so the guides split us between two rafts, with my mother-in-law of 80 years, and the youngest in our party, my daughter of 9 years seated together in the back of one of the rafts – big mistake, in hindsight! The summer of 2005 in Colorado had been hot and dry, leaving the river rather low by mid-August. Low water makes for a tamer ride with fewer, easier to navigate rapids. That gave us plenty of opportunities to enjoy the water-sculpted cliffs of the canyon. “Can you find the face of ‘Big Chief’ in the rocks up ahead?” asked our guide. “Oh look, a big horned sheep over there!” someone exclaimed. “Coming up is our first big rapid,” said the guide. “So, I want everyone to paddle on my command.” We did as we were told and slipped down the rapid, barely missing the two large boulders protruding maliciously from the middle of the rapid. Now below the rapid, we pulled into the slow water near shore to watch our other raft take the rapid. “Paddle”, we heard the guide yell, “Paddle, paddle!” And it looked as if everyone was paddling, but something went wrong. The raft hit one of the boulders, and in a split second, both my mother-in-law and daughter were ejected from the raft, flying out of the boat and plunged into the icy water, nearly bashing their heads on the boulder! Chaos ensued with everyone jockeying to help them out of the water. Thanks to some quick-thinking guides and strong hands, they were helped back into the raft with no injuries. Needless to say, the seating arrangements were changed before we continued downstream. All and all, a wonderful experience, with plenty of fun, beautiful scenery, and a few thrills! I think I speak for everyone in our group, by highly recommending this trip. …even my mother-in-law, who despite her dunking, said she had a great time and would do it again. Enjoy!

Rafting the Arkansas River
Brown's Canyon

White water rafting down the Arkansas River can be many things, but never boring. We have enjoyed two trips down the Arkansas, each a very different experience.

Our first river run was a half-day excursion down the section of river known as Brown’s Canyon. Our group of eight was too heavy for one raft, given the water level of the river, so the guides split us between two rafts, with my mother-in-law of 80 years, and the youngest in our party, my daughter of 9 years seated together in the back of one of the rafts – big mistake, in hindsight!

The summer of 2005 in Colorado had been hot and dry, leaving the river rather low by mid-August. Low water makes for a tamer ride with fewer, easier to navigate rapids. That gave us plenty of opportunities to enjoy the water-sculpted cliffs of the canyon. “Can you find the face of ‘Big Chief’ in the rocks up ahead?” asked our guide. “Oh look, a big horned sheep over there!” someone exclaimed.

“Coming up is our first big rapid,” said the guide. “So, I want everyone to paddle on my command.” We did as we were told and slipped down the rapid, barely missing the two large boulders protruding maliciously from the middle of the rapid.

Now below the rapid, we pulled into the slow water near shore to watch our other raft take the rapid. “Paddle”, we heard the guide yell, “Paddle, paddle!” And it looked as if everyone was paddling, but something went wrong. The raft hit one of the boulders, and in a split second, both my mother-in-law and daughter were ejected from the raft, flying out of the boat and plunged into the icy water, nearly bashing their heads on the boulder!

Chaos ensued with everyone jockeying to help them out of the water. Thanks to some quick-thinking guides and strong hands, they were helped back into the raft with no injuries. Needless to say, the seating arrangements were changed before we continued downstream.

All and all, a wonderful experience, with plenty of fun, beautiful scenery, and a few thrills! I think I speak for everyone in our group, by highly recommending this trip. …even my mother-in-law, who despite her dunking, said she had a great time and would do it again.

Enjoy!