Arizona River Runners 6 Day Oar Trip

Arizona River Runners 6-day oar trip starts when you arrive at Marble Canyon, AZ. It takes you whitewater rafting through 87 miles of the Grand Canyon and is perfect for those wanting a shorter oar-powered trip with more hiking. Experiences are limitless on these Grand Canyon raft trips; take time to explore the side canyons, listen to stories, make new friendships, and revel in the inspiring views of this natural wonder. The majesty of the canyon, combined with the excitement and anticipation of running the rapids make for a memorable Arizona rafting vacation. The final morning of this amazing trip brings you to Phantom Ranch, to begin your ascent to the South Rim.

It is important that you exercise and prepare for this 9-mile hike out of the Canyon. It is not necessary to be a triathlete, but good health and sufficient energy are highly suggested.

Call Arizona River Runners for your Grand Canyon Oar Trip 1-800-477-7238!

"Into the Wild" of the Grand Canyon ~ Arizona River Runners

Have you seen the movie "Into the Wild" directed by Sean Penn? It came out a few years ago and is a true story about a young man that graduates from college, chooses to shirk his parental connections and expectations, and strike out to explore life. Part of his exploring takes place on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon which is quite entertaining.

Here's the really fun part. This kid meets an old hippy couple and travels with them for a while. The "old hippy guy" just happens to be a Grand Canyon/Flagstaff guy. He was initially working as support for the filming in the Grand Canyon and they realized he was perfect for the part of the hippy dude. So, they talked him into playing the part and he was actually very good. I doubt they had to put makeup on him or change his clothing because the part he plays is exactly the way he is in real life.....a genuine old hippy dude.....a real throwback to the 70's. He probably didn't even need any acting lessons or coaching for this part.

If you haven't seen "Into the Wild" definitely go rent it, stream it, etc. Even without knowing Brian Dierker personally, you will enjoy the movie. It's about life's choices and risks, and being present in your own existence.

Do you ever just want to go "into the wild?" Hike in the Grand Canyon? Raft the Colorado River? Experience nature in its truest form? Arizona River Runners has been around since 1970, and we can take you there. Whitewater rafting through the Grand Canyon is an experience you will never forget, but will want to do over and over! Call us at 1-800-477-7238 for your Arizona rafting vacation!

Breakfast in the Grand Canyon with Arizona River Runners

Let me give you a peek at breakfasts that you might encounter on a Grand Canyon Rafting trip with Arizona River Runners.

First thing every single day on, even before breakfast, is the call for COFFE-E-E-E-E-E. It's loud and clear, and you can roll out of your sleeping bag and get a freshly brewed cup o' joe. You can do this in your PJ's....you don't necessarily have to speak to anybody or be cheery and bright. You can grab your hot mug of caffeine and retreat to some outrageously beautiful and scenic spot to savor your morning mud. Can only be done on a Grand Canyon rafting trip!

A little later you'll hear a holler for BREAKFA-A-A-A-A-ST. Now it's time to get yourself down to the "kitchen" and get some vittles. You might find eggs to order with bacon or sausage. Perhaps it's a morning for french toast - hot off the griddle, the maple syrup is warm too. There's always fresh fruit, real orange juice, tea, and oatmeal. Maybe you'll start your day with blueberry pancakes and yogurt. My personal favorite is build-your-own omelet. You pick your favorite fillers and they magically cook 3 beautiful omelets at a time on this huge griddle. Then you hunker down to savor your own favorite bites of omelet steaming hot off that griddle.

Breakfast, and all other meals with Arizona River Runners, involves real food. You won't be subsisting on dehydrated flakes or other extrapolations of backpacking food. There is fresh brewed coffee and fresh fruit. ARR guides are all great cooks. If you have particular food restrictions or needs, that too is easily addressed.

A great breakfast in the Grand Canyon. Does it get any better than that? You really should try it.

Call us for your Arizona rafting vacation and have breakfast on us - with us! 1-800-477-7238

Plan a Family Rafting Vacation with Your Adult Children and Arizona River Runners

Your kids can be adventurous travel companions who are willing to try new things, and are hungry for physical activity and education. Arizona River Runners has a variety of family rafting trips with adventure written all over!

Remember when the kids were little, and family vacations sometimes seemed like more of a hassle than the fun and relaxing holidays they were supposed to be? First you had to pack for you, then for the kids, then load them into the car with a big bag of distractions, and bear the repeated annoyances of “are we there yet?” only to arrive at Lego Land or Disney World to wait hours in line and spend buckets of money on bottled water and Mickey ears.

Now that the kids are more grown up, things might seem a little easier. Don’t think that just because the kids are all adults means you have to give up those fun-filled family vacations. The empty nest syndrome can be rough for a lot of parents, but leaving the nest can be just as hard sometimes. It might surprise you that most kids would be happy to relish in old times, and spend some quality time traveling with their parents.

Besides, now that they’re older, your kids can be adventurous travel companions who are willing to try new things, and are hungry for physical activity and education. Why not bring them out on a Colorado River trip? Rafting through the Grand Canyon with outfitters like Arizona River Runners provide tons of boat-rocking rapids to help keep the excitement up, along with lots of fascinating information on the Canyon’s history and ecology. Arizona River Runners has family rafting trips with adventure written all over!

Along the way, you’ll get to experience the Canyon both on the water and off with a variety of side canyon hikes, hidden waterfalls and cool swimming spots. The Canyon is known for its unique environment and breathtaking geography, so you’ll be sure to find something fun to explore. Don’t worry, you’ll have some down time each day with delicious full course meals provided by the Arizona River Runners’ crew.

Your Grand Canyon rafting trip doesn’t even have to mark a milestone like a graduation or a job promotion; bringing your adult kids out on a river trip can simply be an opportunity to share in an exciting experience with a loved one. Kicking back at the campsite is the perfect opportunity to catch up and stay connected with your kids. You’ll be able to recount stories and share experiences with one another while enjoying the beautiful setting of the Grand Canyon.

You’ll also be surrounded by other people who share in similar interests, so your Colorado River trip can be a great opportunity for both you and your children to make some new friends. Our guides, especially, have some incredible stories about their own experiences whitewater rafting through the Grand Canyon, and they’re always happy to share.

Now that the family is together for the holiday - go online and take a look at our trips! You will be pleasantly surprised at our all-inclusive rates. Book your "grown-up" family rafting trip with Arizona River Runners, it will be the adventure of a lifetime -an unforgettable adventure! You’ll travel over one hundred plus river miles down the Colorado River and have the opportunity to share in the experience of a lifetime with your kids, all while rafting, swimming, hiking, and camping in one of the most amazing “Natural Wonders of the World.” It’s the family vacation they’ll never forget, and best of all – there are no lines! Call us now at 1-800-477-7238!

Rafting The Grand Canyon in Comfort ~ Arizona River Runners Style

Riding the waves on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon is certainly exhilarating. It's active, exciting and it's Mother Nature's display of raw power and beauty. Certainly it is wet. It is wet from all directions. Sometimes the skies open and drench you. Sometimes the river lures you down and crushes you with huge torrents of water. The water is playful, cold and powerful. The sun can graciously warm you up or mercilessly bake you and burn you. The clouds can protect you or reveal the warmth of the sun you crave. Every one of your senses will be on high alert during your time in the wilderness rafting through the Grand Canyon.

Arizona River Runners can provide a trip of a lifetime within this superb display of nature. We have the expertise, the guides and all the equipment you'll need, not only to survive, but to relish your part in the river dance.

Our rafts have cushioned seats. The duffel pile makes a great seat back and supports your back. The rafts are custom built with plenty of storage (so you can eat like a king) and provide lots of comfy options for you to sit. The boxes are cushioned so that you can think about other things besides your tush on your whitewater rafting trip!

When you get to camp everybody can enjoy a chair. On motor trips, you'll be able to sleep on a cot. Oar rigs have less stowage space. They still enjoy chairs and inflatable paco pads for sleeping. The toilet setup is very comfy....probably looks just like your seat at home but has a much better view.

We've got roomy tents for everybody that wants one. They are easy to assemble even for non-campers. Cold drinks are available 24/7 and chocolate-y, nutty, granola-y, yummy snacks abound. Meals include fresh fruits and veggies eaten with real utensils, on plates that won't fold in your hands. There's ice available in the evenings, and we have a "happy hour" with appetizers!

Do keep in mind, that this is a wilderness experience, but Arizona River Runners takes your comfort to heart. You are, after all, in a truly awesome environment. You don't need to be distracted by "boo boos" that can be avoided.

The Grand Canyon is the star. ARR will minimize the uncomfortable distractions so you can be awed by the main attraction.

To book your Arizona rafting vacation call 1-800-477-7238 for 2011 rates and dates!

The Grand Canyon – From the River’s View Whitewater Rafting with Arizona River Runners

In the midst of our busy lives and bucket lists, there are people in a hurry even while on holiday. Are you one of them? Take time to really slow down, relax and unplug.... Go with the “flow” and "experience" the Grand Canyon from the bottom...looking up! Many people plan to "do" the Grand Canyon...most are surprised by what the Grand Canyon does to them!

For your summer holidays this year come to the Grand Canyon and experience a vacation adventure of a lifetime on a Grand Canyon Colorado River rafting trip. Since 1970 Arizona River Runners has provided complete Grand Canyon white water rafting trips. They have wonderful Grand Canyon tour guides for your Arizona family vacation, bringing your river trip to life and take you on a safe and enjoyable vacation adventure that will become one of your most memorable. The river guides border on culinary geniuses too!

Arizona River Runners has grown to be one of the most innovative, progressive and well-respected outfitters operating in the Grand Canyon. They operate customized state-of-the-art rafts, provide all the camping and rafting gear you will need for your river experience.

There are a wide variety of trips available from a 3-day Escape, to 6, 7 and 8-day motorized adventures and 6, 8, 13-day oar powered trips. Arizona River Runners is very serious about protecting the environment of one of the most beautiful and unique places in world. Their dedication is evident through the time invested in their people, the care taken in educating visitors about the Colorado River corridor and their passion for preserving this opportunity for future generations to enjoy.

Whitewater rafting on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon offers a unique view of one of the most popular natural wonders of the world. It offers you a chance to experience the true spirit of the Canyon, gain a new perspective on life, and connect with many other like-minded people who appreciate this unique outdoor environment. Spending time in the Canyon gives individuals the chance to be kids again, to laugh and appreciate the small things in life, in a very Grand Place.

See the Canyon from the view of the Colorado River; looking up, the incredible vistas up close, the Big Horn Sheep, the deer and so much more! Camping under a blanket of stars at night, stars are so bright you think you can reach out and touch them. Everyday there are new sights and sounds to experience, every night camping in a different location with breathtaking views! If this excites you and you want a summer holiday to remember, book your trip now. Don’t miss your opportunity to experience the Grand Canyon on a whitewater rafting trip!

Call Arizona River Runners for your summer vacation of 2011! 1-800-477-7238.

Arizona River Runners End of the Year Party

So, we had an end-o-the-season, Arizona River Runners company party last weekend. Kind of a low key affair. Dinner and drinks....some photos (some vintage and some current)......announcements and acknowledgements and, as always, some great music--- just us jammin' in the music room upstairs.

I love this party. For me, it's sort of like Parents' Night at the University. First of all, I am old enough to be most everybody's mom, and secondly I love and adore these people that work for us. They are incredible human beings. Great characters, each and every one of them. Strong, beautiful, funny, smart, adventurous, caring, and talented. Most of them have great plans for the off season. I can now live vicariously through them.

We, at Arizona River Runners are like family. We are a gaggle, a herd, a pride and a batch. We connect, and that makes us a great company. May I be so bold as to say that I believe we....our office people, our warehouse people, our drivers and our guides.... are tops, and that is good for us, and good for you too.

We'll be back on the water, starting in April next year with renewed enthusiasm (and new jokes). We hope to see you there too. We'd like to share the wonders, the beauty, and the adventure of rafting through the Grand Canyon with you. Call us for your Arizona rafting vacation, 1-800-477--47238

Grand Canyon Rafting Next Summer with Arizona River Runners

This year's commercial season is winding down. The end of the 2010 season is at an end. It's time to be thinking about next year......for us and for you.

The first step to getting onto a Grand Canyon raft trip next summer, is to pick a date. It's just that simple. Check your schedule at work, at church, at boy scouts and girl scouts, and the kids' sports, and find times that work for you. Call our office and see what's available. The sooner you call, the more choices you will have. The longer you wait, the more the schedule fills in (with non-procrastinators) and your options become more limited. Your reservation requires a small deposit and then you are good to go.

Sleep like a baby, knowing that you have a reservation for an adventure of a lifetime. Your space is secure and you can revel in the anticipation of things to come. As your trip date approaches we will send you all kinds of information to prepare you for your trip, including a packing list! Don't forget Arizona River Runners provides all meals, camping gear and rafting equipment.

Pick your date. Make the call. Reserve your space and time in the Grand Canyon. Right now, 2011 whitewater rafting trips are holding at 2010 prices! Arizona River Runners 1-800-477-7238, for your Arizona rafting vacation!

Lunch in the Canyon on an Arizona River Runners Rafting Trip!

I'm pretty easy to please in the food/eating department. A real appealing part of this is that somebody else prepares my meal AND cleans up afterwards. That is certainly the case on an Arizona rafting vacation with Arizona River Runners. Don't get me wrong.....the food on ARR rafting trips gets high marks in the culinary realm on it's own. The fact that I enjoy great meals with very little effort on my part is a bonus.

I've tried to duplicate some of the wonderful cuisine that I enjoyed in camps along the way and the one that is clearly a standout is Mexican Train Wreck. It is a salad that is served at lunch in a pita pocket. I've served it many times without the beauty of the Grand Canyon as a backdrop and everybody still loves it.

Here's the recipe I go by:

MEXICAN TRAIN WRECK

Serves a big bunch

3-4 c. chicken, canned or grilled, cut into bite size

1 c. tomato, diced

1/2 c. onion, diced

1 14 oz. can black olives, chopped

1 14 oz. can beans (black, pinto or kidney), drained

1 c. shredded cheddar cheese

1 c. salsa

1/2 c. avocado chunks or guacamole

1/2 c. sour cream

1/2 head of lettuce, chopped or shredded

2 c. tortilla chips, crumbled slightly

Mix all together. Serve with salsa, guacamole, sour cream, shredded cheese and chips.

Spoon into pita pocket or serve over a bed of shredded lettuce.

This recipe is quite flexible and can be tweaked to your liking. I often leave out the crumbled chips and the shredded lettuce so that leftovers can be enjoyed the next day or frozen.

For your Grand Canyon rafting vacation and fabulous meals, call Arizona River Runners at 1-800-477-7238!

Grand Canyon Rafting with Arizona River Runners - "Git 'Er Done

One of the things I do at Arizona River Runners is read all the questionnaires that our guests fill out and return to us after their Grand Canyon rafting trip. It's really quite fun. It's actually a LOT of fun on a couple of different levels. First, and foremost is that it is apparent that people have had a wonderful time with ARR. Most times the experience exceeded all expectations. Secondly, their mind set has often shifted a bit.

Some very common responses are: "It was a trip of a lifetime." "Thank you for time spent with my family." "I've changed how I look at my "stuff" in my regular life." "I didn't want to go back to work." "I was sad to leave the river." "I can't explain what this meant to me." "It's been on my bucket list for a long time." "I wish I hadn't waited so long to actually go." "I was amazed how our group bonded, we became like family." "I've traveled all over the world and this was, by far, the best trip I've done." "I would recommend this trip to everyone."

I am not making these comments up. These are what I read from you over and over again. Sometimes they are even more soulful and fundamental. Your experience will be unique to you.

Have you been thinking about going on a Grand Canyon Rafting adventure? Have you wanted an Arizona Rafting vacation for a long time? It's time to "git 'er done."

Whether you travel alone, with your family or a gaggle of friends, whitewater rafting through the Grand Canyon is an awesome experience that is well worth your effort to make it happen.

Right now, at Arizona River Runners, we are taking reservations for Summer of 2011 at 2010 prices. Dates are filling in but there is still room for you! This could be "your best trip ever" too.

Call us and let's "git 'er done."

Arizona River Runners 1-800-477-4238