Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Meteor Showers Over the Grand Canyon and Whitewater Rafting with Arizona River Runners

If this is how clear the sky is in the morning, just imagine it at night!

Stargazing in the Grand Canyon is well – grand! The complete absence of light (except for the moon at times) enables you to see the stars at their most glorious. When the last camper has gone to bed, and all is quiet you are blanketed by a night sky bursting with stars, stars so bright you want to reach out and touch them. The night sky in the Canyon is indescribable; at certain times of the year you may even see meteor showers.

The Grand Canyon is the perfect location not only for stargazing, but to behold a meteor shower as well. Small fragments of cosmic debris entering the earth’s atmosphere at extremely high speeds produce meteor showers. Each time a comet swings by the sun, it produces large amounts of small particles, which will eventually spread out along the entire orbit of the comet to form a meteoroid "stream." Depending on where the Earth's orbit and the comet's orbit intersect, meteors appear to fall from a particular place in the sky for a few days, maybe within the neighborhood of a constellation, thereby giving the meteor shower its name.

Perseid meteors will appear to "rain" into the atmosphere from the constellation Perseus, which rises in the northeast around 10 p.m. in mid-August. At its peak, the shower could produce up to 100 meteors per hour. This year's shower should peak on the night of August 12 and the morning of the 13th. The thin, crescent moon will be out of the way early, setting the stage for a potentially spectacular show. (There is the possibility of seeing meteors any time from July 23 - August 22 as well). The radiant point for this shower will be in the constellation Perseus. For best viewing, look to the northeast after midnight.

Arizona River Runners offers a number of rafting trips during this “meteor peak season.” To see a meteor shower is awe-inspiring! And what better way to experience a meteor shower than camping out on the banks of the Colorado River on a rafting trip? Call us at 1-800-477-7238 for your adventure of a lifetime and indulge your love of the night sky!

Monday, May 24, 2010

Arizona River Runners April Photo Contest Winner


July 2009
Originally uploaded by njsue
Thank you njsue for this great picture! It truly is worth a thousand words! Here is what njsue said about their river trip.
"That's my boy! We loved EVERYTHING about our trip. Our guides Erica, Mac, Brian and Dillon totally rock!! We can't wait to come back - and would never ever run the river with anyone but ARR!!"

Don't forget to post your photos/videos on our flickr photo contest of your May rafting trip. We name a winner every month! Just go to http://www.flickr.com/groups/1338167@N23/ and post away!

Water Fight! Arizona River Runners April Photo Contest Winner


Water fight!
Originally uploaded by mariebey2
This is a great action shot! We just love the girl with the lollipop getting SOAKED!!! Thank you mariebey2 for your winning photo! Hope you had an incredible whitewater rafting trip with Arizona River Runners!

Friday, May 21, 2010

Grand Canyon Rafting Trips with Arizona River Runners


If you are planning a river trip or are going on one, you may be asking yourself: "What's the water like on a rafting trip?" The stretch of water in the Colorado River that runs through the Grand Canyon is typically about 50 degrees all the time. So, you have to ask yourself..."Why is it so chilly?" Here's why. The water comes from deep in Lake Powell through Glen Canyon Dam. The flumes are about 400 or so feet down from the surface of Lake Powell and the water has not seen the sunlight in a long, long time ~ that's why it is so cold. The National Park Service (they are in charge since this is in Grand Canyon National Park) wants the water temperature to be the most favorable for the indigenous wildlife and fish. We humans might prefer water temperatures at 80 degrees (or warmer) but we are not at the top of this particular food chain.

Want to raft this fresh, pristine water? Call us at 800-477-7238 about our family rafting trips for your summer vacation! Arizona River Runnershas been offering Grand Canyon whitewater rafting trips since 1970

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Arizona River Runners in the Chicago Tribune

Here's a little something from the Chicago Tribune, May 15th:
"Here are some of the more interesting deals, Web sites and other travel tidbits that came across our desk recently: The eight-day, seven-night Grand Canyon Adventure from Arizona River Runners explores the full 280 miles of the Grand Canyon for $2,450 per person. 800-477-7238, raftarizona.com."

Now if the Trib likes us, how can you not? We have a variety of trips, call us today for your Colorado River rafting trip! 800-477-7238


Monday, May 17, 2010

Fishing on the Colorado River with Arizona River Runners

Is there fishing on the Colorado River? Will we have time to fish on our rafting trip? What do we do with the fish, if we catch any?

These are all valid questions to ask when planning a Grand Canyon rafting trip with Arizona River Runners. Yes, there is fishing on the Colorado River. Yes, you can fish on your rafting trip; and you eat the fish you catch! Our guides can do a fish fry like nobody’s business!

The National Parks Service requires you to have an Arizona State Fishing License, contact Arizona Game and Fish Department at http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/fishing.shtml for more information.

Fishing in the Canyon can be great, bring a collapsible fishing pole for easy storage. Among trout fishing circles it is widely known that some very good fishing is to be had in the Colorado River. You’ll be fishing from shore at camp in the evening or during the day when we’ve stopped for lunch or hiking. The Colorado River, Marble Canyon, and lower portions of Bright Angel Creek, Nankoweap Creek and Tapeats Creek and Lake Mead are good for fishing. Fishes native to the Canyon include Humpback Chub (a federally endangered species), Razorback Sucker (endangered), Flannelmouth Sucker, Bluehead Sucker, Colorado Squawfish, Bonytail (endangered), Roundtail Chub and Speckled Dace.

There are a number of species not native to the Grand Canyon. Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Common Carp, Channel Catfish, Red Shiner, Fathead Minnow, Mosquitofish, Striped Bass and Plains Killifish to name just a few. For bait, some people just use leftovers from breakfast or dinner! Insects, flies, minnows, and other bugs can be used too.

For additional information regarding fishing and fishing supplies on your Grand Canyon rafting trip, call Arizona River Runners at 800-477-7238, we will be happy to help you include a little fishing on your white water rafting trip with us!

Monday, May 10, 2010

Multigenerational Grand Canyon Rafting Adventure with Arizona River Runners

Multigenerational vacations are a growing trend in the travel industry, and families worldwide are seeking opportunities to spend precious time together. Extended families are looking for adventures that incorporate ways to spend time bonding, learning opportunities that can be shared, unforgettable sights and a level of comfort suitable to all ages.

One family who joined together for their “adventure of a lifetime” is the Sommervilles, who embarked on a Colorado River rafting trip with Arizona River Runners last summer, as a 70th birthday celebration for grandfather Ronald (Rags). The Sommervilles’ group included family from South Africa, the UK and the US, ranging from age 8 to 70. As well as being a chance for this far-flung family to reconnect and spend time together, Rags recalls the trip as “an education in the deepest and best sense of the word” that he truly treasures sharing with his children and grandchildren.

The Sommerville crew embarked on a 7-day adventure through the Grand Canyon with experienced Arizona River Runners guides who handled the details and kept the trip well organized. “The guides established a sense of trust through a subtle strength and the ability to handle everything that came their way,” says Rags. “Because of that, we had complete relaxation and peace so we could enjoy the experience of this great event.” Rags’ wife, Merle, loved the fact that the guides were careful and kept everyone safe, but didn’t “fuss”, allowing everyone to partake fully in the challenges of the trip. The family jumped off of waterfalls, navigated exhilarating rapids, slept under the stars on camp beds, and had the opportunity to do something different every day.

The setting for this multi-generational trip couldn’t have been better. The Grand Canyon is a place that has a lasting impact on visitors of all ages, offering up views of towering canyon walls, Indian ruins, seldom-seen wildlife, and gorgeous river vistas. Nature abounds in the Canyon, and the Sommervilles all learned a great deal about Canyon wildlife, history and geography from their guides and by simply observing and interacting with that incredible landscape. Those who have experienced the Canyon know that there is a magic about the Grand Canyon that is a treasure to be shared with loved ones, as age differences seem to melt away.

The exhilarating challenges of life in the Canyon offer bonding opportunities for rafting guests, and the Sommervilles appreciated the chance to reap the rewards on the river with family members. Of course, delicious, abundant freshly-cooked meals and the opportunity to make new friends along the way were welcomed benefits of the trip as well. Rags counts the trip as an unforgettable experience and says, “Not one thing could have been changed for the better – Arizona River Runners did a wonderful job.” Merle admits to wishing the family was taking the trip again this year.

As families take the time to plan their summer breaks, considering multi-generational trips reminds us of the wonderful opportunities to create lasting memories for our children and grandchildren, while enjoying an experience that appeals to all ages.

Arizona River Runners offers a variety of Colorado River rafting experiences, from 3-day getaways to 13-day oar powered trips. Operating since 1970 as an authorized concessioner of Grand Canyon National Parks, Arizona River Runners is one of the most innovative, progressive and well-respected outfitters in the Grand Canyon today.

Call Arizona River Runners at 1-800-477-7238 to book your family rafting adventure!

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Arizona River Runner Salutes Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon National Park was picked as one of TripAdvisor's Travelers Choice 2010 Top 10 Outdoor & Adventure Destinations in the United States. The Grand Canyon is amazing, awe-inspiring, breathtaking! There is so much to see and do at there, beyond looking at it. Take a whitewater rafting trip through it with Arizona River Runners; hike down; do the Skywalk; take a "mule train" or yes, just gaze over the rim… this is one natural wonder you have to see in person to believe. No one can describe what it's like, it's beyond believable. Call 800-477-7238 for your Arizona Family Rafting Trip and see the Grand Canyon from an entirely different perspective!

Monday, May 3, 2010

6, 7 and 8 Day Motor Trips: Rafting the Grand Canyon is What the Trip is About, But That’s Not All….

If you’ve chosen one of these Arizona River Runners' trips, you will be blown away by exquisite views, fun and excitement! Once everyone has arrived at Lees Ferry, has gone through orientation, and all the gear is packed in our waterproof bags, your adventure begins. Our 6 and 7-Day Expedition packages cover 187 miles of the Colorado River from historic Lee's Ferry to Whitmore Wash and take you through the Heart of the Grand Canyon. The 8-Day Adventure is our longest motorized trip and the only one to travel the full 280-mile length of the Grand Canyon to Lake Mead. On your journey through the Canyon you will enjoy unparalleled scenery with time to explore unique and spectacular side canyons, streams and waterfalls.

A favorite side stop and campsite is at Nankoweap Canyon (mile 52). If you know where to look you will see an ancient Anasazi stone storage ruins built into a ledge of dark rock high above the sandy beach on river right. Those willing to take the 600 foot vertical hike up to the Nankoweap granaries will be treated to one of the more spectacular 180 degree Canyon views. Hike up to Hilltop Ruins to see the stunning panoramic view of the widest sections of the Grand Canyon at mile 72. Each day brings new sights, exciting rapids, mid-morning and mid-afternoon hikes or stops so you will never be bored! You may see deer, Big-Horn Sheep, strange and unique flowers and plants! At mile 136 the welcome and refreshing spray from the spectacular 100-foot Deer Creek Falls is just one more reason to raise your hands and enjoy the unique beauty of the Grand Canyon.

Every morning you wake up to great cowboy coffee, from Toucanet Coffee, eat a delicious breakfast with fresh fruit and juice, before hitting the river! Then each day as the sun begins to sink, camp is set on a beautiful sandy beach. The stories of the day are shared over another delicious dinner. The stars begin to glisten. The quiet serenity of the universe is spread out above your bedroll as the magnificence of the heavens envelopes your soul.

All too soon your adventure comes to an end. But you will remember it forever, how you “shot the rapids of the Colorado River,” where you hiked in the footsteps of John Wesley Powell and others. Come along and join us on this amazing adventure. You'll talk about it for a lifetime if you do. You'll regret it if you don't. Call us at 1-800-477-7238 to book your rafting adventure now!
Call for Grand Canyon Rafting specials for the month of May!