Cool Down on a Rogue Float Trip

Well, it finally happened. The mercury settled just below 100 degrees today and the heat wave seems to be broken for a bit. The animals came out to celebrate a change in temperature also. Part of the beauty of Southern Oregon Summers is the heat that we have along the Rogue River. The nights cool off so wonderfully, too.


Families from the Eastern Shoreline visited us on the Rogue: a new graduate from MIT, students of biology and engineering from Connecticut, Environmental Consultants from our nation's capital, who were all joined by Wendy and Juliana of Mill Valley, and Nicole and Brian and the gang from San Diego, California, along with Sarah and Megan from the Pacific Northwest. The combination of strangers from coast to coast, and fans of rafting blended perfectly. Everyone shared inflatable kayaks, the kids rode the bull through some great rapids, water guns were used in good humor, and laughter filled the air.

The Rogue River is the best way to spend time with family!

River Time

River Guides Alyssa and Austin, aka the A Team, paddled and played with the Schelhorn Family of British Columbia today. The family has been exploring all of the natural treasures found in Southern Oregon from hiking the rim of Crater Lake to camping and rafting the Rogue River.

Everybody got to test out the inflatable kayaks and rest the weary hiking legs in exchange for and upper body work out. Lunch along the riverbank included wild rice and grape salad, tomato, tomatillo and cucumber salad, fresh garden vegetables, Oregon berries and some deep, dark, fudgy river brownies!

What a great day to be on the Rogue River.

Rogue River Drift Boat Wedding

Jason and Pam came out from Kansas to get married along the banks of the Rogue River. They love the great outdoors, water, sunshine, and sand, and of course, they truly love one another. It was the perfect match.


The drift boat was decorated with Oregon grown sunflowers, purple loose strife, and willow branches from along the edge of the water. A secret little snack was stowed away. A cozy, flowery quilt was set out...then the moment we had all been waiting for: the bride and groom arrived by stretch limousine to Indian Mary Park Boat Landing.


Jason and Pam stepped out into the glorious sunlight and they were stunning. Pamela's dress was creamy white with detailed silver embroidery and Jason was dressed in a complimentary tuxedo. Pamela looked absolutely beautiful and Jason was so handsome. They wore their river water Keen sandals for the perfect look from head to toe.


The Rogue River Special Drift Boat was ready for the wedding party with River Guide Kari, and set course down stream. Traveling through the rugged canyons at Taylor Creek, the bride and groom watched an osprey dive into the water for a fish. Further downstream a great blue heron guided the way past rocky outcroppings, a beaver lodge, salmon jumping and the soothing song of the river currents.


The clean sandy beach was with dappled shade, and waiting at the river's edge was the clergyman, photographer, and Bev of Rogue Forest Bed and Breakfast. The Bride and Groom stepped out of the drift boat barefooted and onto the cool sand to begin setting up the Circle of Gratitude. The ceremony was ever so special and the local families that happened to be floating past witnessed the marriage of Jason and Pamela. River guide Tim was acting Best Man, here at O'Brien's we think he is always the Best Man! He also took photos all along the river route from an inflatable kayak or nearby canyon rocks.


Along with the spectacular service, the humble reverence and hearty congratulations to the newlyweds by friends along the river were both honoring and heart warming. After a toast to the groom and the bride, Pam and Jason continued downstream in the wedding drift boat, now as husband and wife. They ate fruits and cheese and crackers with a little nibble of chocolate. They drank a delightful red wine produced in the Rogue Valley, and soaked in the beauty of the Rogue River.

It was a pleasure to be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime day and we wish every happiness to Jason and Pamela. Live simply, laugh often, love deeply.

"Respect the peaks, appreciate the valleys..." and they lived happily ever after!

It was a Hot One!

Robert and Anjaleeb and Amina rafted for the first time. It was a rare treat to be joined by such beauty. Amina was thanking her dad for the raft trip even before we had entered Hellgate Canyon, she also tried the bow of the raft through the rapids and rowed the big orange raft and took a dip with dad!

We were also joined by our Irish connection, Shawn and Ashley of Chicago. New to us friends played and swam and ate and paddled and laughed just like we had know each other for years. It was a day full of surprises and record breaking temperatures, a day full of happy hearts and amazing wildlife. It was a terrific day to be rafting the Rogue River!

Thank you to everyone for joining us today!

Watching the Beauty Unfold

River Guide Kari was joined by early morning travelers and experienced paddlers, Clint and Beth who paddled their way downstream. There were many birds including the snowy white egret, osprey, belted kingfisher, green heron, great blue heron, scrub jays, and mallards and merganzers that were visible throughout the morning. Beth and Clint also engaged in a water fight or two and paddled their way through some Class I and Class II whitewater.

Bob and Donna were treated to a glorious breakfast at The Rogue Forest B and B, then walked down to the river to meet up with River Guide Tim for an afternoon ride. It was the perfect day to view the mountains and canyons from a raft, take advantage of an occasional spray of water to keep cool in the summer time heat, and enjoy the company of one another.

Anil and family traveled the Rogue with River Guide Steve for a Full Day of adventure in the sun and warmth of Southern Oregon. The boys took many turns at rowing the raft and trying to master the skills of an oarsman. There was plenty of time for swimming, story telling, visiting, and riding the waves as the day unfolded its beauty.

Thank you to one and all for joining us on your rafting vacation.

The Three Musketeers Enjoy the Rogue River

Linda, Cindy and Don took in a couple of plays in Ashland, found some of Southern Oregon's great eateries, and topped off a wonderfully enjoyable week end with a trip through Hellgate Canyon and beyond. It was a calm and blissful day in the gorge. The turtles, deer, beaver, and osprey were visible to the river travelers and reinforced the many wonders of rafting the Rogue River. Come back soon!

Good Times Rafting the Rogue

It took ten inflatable kayaks, two big whitewater rafts, and twenty people to make the perfect recipe of fun and relaxation on the Rogue River! Today's crew included river guides Steve, Damian, Austin and Kari.



Josh's family traded back and forth from the inflatable kayaks to the blue rocket boat. Once stationed on the rocket boat however, the ladies became Warrior Princes! What a battle they put up! There was also a little balancing act and some jousting for the crew.


Clive and Nancy were great company and joined in the activities by combining the use of the inflatable kayak, the raft and amazing skill in squirt gun use! Clive was a water master in his paddling skills and took to the yakie like he had been paddling for years.


Bill, Leslie, Jan and Dan relaxed, visited, and viewed all of the activity. Good friends enjoying good times together. Life doesn't get any better, unless you throw in a lunch along the river bank, gorgeous scenery and another exhilarating water battle or two.


Midway through the day, Lisa and family joined the water adventure. It was a great way to spend the day enjoying the wild life and even catching a glimpse of a mink, deer, beaver and many birds. We hope to see you all rafting the Rogue again soon.