East and West Coast Meet on the Rogue River

The joy of rafting was shared by a family from Maryland and a family and friends from California and Oregon. The Happiness Boy from Baltimore and his brother, Two Socks were an amazing team of brilliance, light hearted spirit and adventure! Alex is reigning champ through the slims at Twin Rocks and Nathan was able to paddle a kayak in a multitude of positions! Alex and Nathan brought their folks along too! Steve and Annette are true Class III rafting survivors! After a full day trip on the Rogue they settled in at the Rogue Glen Bed and Breakfast.

Stacy, Bob and Don were full of fun and managed to ward off invading rafters in water fights in between turns of paddling in the kayaks through the rapids. Don, Bob and Stacy enjoyed the breathtaking scenery, the wildlife and being together on the raft. We lunched along the river bank and had a meal of the newly named "Turk-n-Mater" wraps. Thanks Nathan! There was plenty of rock skipping across the river and some face painting as well! Rafting on the Rogue River just doesn't get any better!



Oregon Rogue River Rafting

Whitewater Rafting on the Rogue

We traveled Irish style today (hey, don't we everyday?!) as we were joined by friends from Dublin, Ireland and Seattle, Washington. The company was truly wonderful and the paddling was outstanding! We had a future guide training session as 12 year old Rudi rowed the Big Blue Rocket Boat through Taylor Creek Canyon. Mike and Chris had a great ride through Class III Argo, with Mike taking a swim through a wave called The Guide-Eater (yes, it's really that big!). Michelle and Rose took their turn "riding the bull" on the front of the raft through Middle and Lower Argo, and the kids Rudi and Collin cheered them on as they got soaked. The day of great conversation with people from around the globe was a great adventure!



Whitewater Rafting on the Rogue

Family Reunion Goes Rafting

Four daughters, Patty, Janet, Linda and Kelly, brought their father (who just turned 85), their children and grandchildren rafting on the Rogue River Half Day Raft Trip. The families gathered together in Southern Oregon from Ohio, Indiana, and Colorado and represented four generations! Patriarch Art was very handy with the Giant Super Soakers and little 2 and 3 year olds, Nikki and Kylie were able to give it back with all their grandaughterly charm!

Part of the family opted for paddling and inflatable kayak through the Half Day Whitewater Trip on the Rogue and each one mastered Class I, II, and III rapids! Chip, Angie and Don appeared to be experts and it was great of Don to show how to roll out of a kayak and assume the whitewater floating position!

Fourteen people, four generations, three kayaks, two rafts and a memory to last a lifetime. Here's to Living the Dream!



Rogue River Rafting Videos

First Generation Whitewater Legend

Cal joined us on the river today and it was a pleasure to have him on the water. O'Brien's Rogue River Outfitters is operating with the third generation of rafting that started with Cal, continued with Kari and is represented by Karyn as the third generation. Many stories have originated from each generation, many experiences have lead to important lessons on and off the water, and many people have participated and contributed to the enjoyable and rewarding lifestyle of river guiding.

In the words of Kenneth Grahame, "Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing...absolutely nothing half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats." From The Wind in the Willows

Here's to River Time and Cal!




Best Oregon Whitewater Rafting Guides

Rafting the Rogue Through Grants Pass

Our trip with the Norby Family was a treat. We traveled approximately 7 miles and covered five Class II rapids. The weather was perfect, the scenery spectacular and the company was truly wonderful. As we put on the water a bald eagle flew over head to greet us. Then came along the cormorants, mergansers, friendly geese and many large and small pond turtles.

We stopped along the way for a lunch of delicious Chinese Chicken Salad, Curry Rice Salad, Green Apple Cole Slaw and many other tasty treats. The perfect park table was waiting near the water for our rafting party. After lunch, we passed under the Caveman Bridge of Grants Pass and continued on our way.

Many thanks to the Norby Family of Texas, California and Oregon for a memorable day of rafting the Rogue.



Grants Pass Rafting

Full Day Raft Trip on the Rogue

We were treated to the company of a family gathering this week! Lori and Linda, both sisters who live in Oregon, brought their families to camp and raft the Rogue River and take in some whitewater action. They came from Texas, Indiana, Illinois and Oregon to play and paddle the best of the Rogue Day Trips. Great times were enjoyed by everyone and the water fights were amazing. Just ask the kids!



Full Day Raft Trip on the Rogue

Rogue River Rafting Three Day Trip

Family Camping was at its best this past week! We had so much fun and adventure when the family visited from Chicago! Little Tommy took his first rafting and camping adventure at the tender age of five months. He even got his first tooth while floating on the Rogue River.

Guide Tim showed his finesse through many rapids in the rocket boat, Karyn and Alyssa let the crew of kayakers and every single paddler, including new-to-the-experience Kristen, made it through all of the rapids in the boat over nearly twenty miles of river time! We even thought Robbie was destined for a swim, but as he said, "He prevailed!" Guide Kari got to enjoy all the generations on the Rogue Inflatable and even held a swimming baby!

The evening float through Hellgate Canyon was unforgettable, coupled with the great blue heron dance and the song of the river flowing over rocks. We experienced the royal treatment with a light show on the rocks and water. The color of canyon walls changes with the setting sun and it was spectacular. The waves look bigger too as the shadows were cast from the setting sun.

Riding the whitewater was a highlight for young Ali who sat on the bull ring through some of the great ones and even took a turn paddling her dad in the kayak through a rapid. Believe it or not, while her brother was busy getting his first tooth, she managed to lose one. The tooth fairy wasn't fooled! She managed to squeeze through the tent to leave a treasure under her pillow!

Back at camp there was plenty of good food, great company and a comfortable, easy feeling with everyone taking a turn at watching the campfire, serving up a meal, passing around drinks and watching the starts in the night sky. Little Kayla had the perfect name for the white squishy things that get roasted over the fire: Shmarsh-mellows! She made eating (and wearing) the tasty s'mores irresistible!

Bill and Nancy participated in all activities and then enjoyed the beauty and comfort of The Rogue Glen Bed and Breakfast. This old 1950's fishing lodge faces the Rogue River with picture windows, offers truly special hospitality and creates the most delicious cranberry-orange-currant scones. Thank you Barbara!

The Rogue River Family Camp and Three Day Whitewater Rafting Trip was a definite highlight of the summer! We miss all of you (Tom, Elaine, Bill, Nancy, Ali, Kayla, Tommy, Robbie and Kristen) already! Come back soon!!





Rogue River Rafting Three Day Trip