"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!

Rafting through the Grand Canyon Takes Teamwork ~ Arizona River Runners Style!

There's a whole team of people that make it possible for you to go rafting in the Grand Canyon with Arizona River Runners. First, you call the office and talk to Shirley or Pam, Judy or Dick. Sometimes I'm in there but that's only when they are desperate. So, the office people help you make your reservation and they help you get prepared for your rafting trip. "Getting prepared" entails different things for most everybody. Some people need more guidance than others. Some people are real greenhorns as opposed to the veteran rafters that are returning for more of the good stuff.

When you actually get to the launch of the river trip you meet more of the team.....your guides and their helpers (swampers). Now you're looking at the first string....the A team. You and your crew.

But, other team members have worked in symphony to get everybody to this point. There are people that work in the warehouse and keep it stocked, clean and organized so that others can pack the rafts. Somebody de-rigs and/or unpacks the rafts. Others on the ARR team do mechanical stuff....they work on the motors or frames and the rest of the equipment to keep it running smoothly.

Drivers on the Arizona River Runners team keep us moving. ARR has two 18-wheeler rigs that transport rafts, crew members and equipment from the end of the trip back to the warehouse and then, when it's time, everything goes back to the launch site at Lee's Ferry.

Each of these ARR people and there jobs are integral parts of Arizona River Runners rafting trips . Add YOU to the team and we have a trip of a lifetime just waiting to happen. We couldn't do it without you.

The ARR team is experienced and waiting. Waiting for you.

So call us now and book your trip of a lifetime! Come be a part of a great team, you won't regret it!

Arizona River Runners 1-800-477-7238 or info@raftarizona.com

Sleeping on Your Arizona River Runners Grand Canyon Rafting Trip

Are you an experienced camper? Have you ever slept in a sleeping bag before? Have you pitched a tent? Do you know what a rain fly is? Do you enjoy your pillow-top mattress at home?

When you go on a motorized Grand Canyon rafting trip with Arizona River Runners you do not have to be an experienced camper. Arizona River Runners’ guides will show you how to put up your tent, and that will also include the rain fly. No, you will not have a pillow-top mattress but ARR will provide you a sleeping bag, a pillow, a sheet and a cot. You will not be sleeping on the ground. Your cot will be your new friend. It serves as a couch (when you have friends over). It can also be a card table for....well....cards and other board games, wagering and gambling. Your cot offers you additional seating if you have guests visiting your campsite and...(drum roll please), it is the best seat in the house for viewing the night sky. Stretch out comfortably on your cot and gaze into the heavens. The stars will astound you. You can drift off to sleep under a starry, starry sky.

You won't be sleeping on the ground on your Colorado River trip. You will be in incredible wilderness whitewater rafting through the Grand Canyon! But you will have lots of creature comforts, as opposed to just plain creatures! Cots are your friend.

For more information on your whitewater rafting trip call Arizona River Runners at 1-800-477-7238, we'd love to talk to you!

Cots are used only on our motorized rafting trips. For oar-powered trips self-inflating sleeping bags are provided.

Arizona river Runners Wishes All A Very Merry Christmas!

All of us at Arizona River Runners, wishes you and yours a very Merry and peaceful Christmas. May you enjoy family, friends and the wonders of the season!

Arizona River Runners

Arizona River Runners ~ Year Round in the Grand Canyon

There are people rafting the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon right now. Right now and all winter long, there are all kinds of activities going on. Some trips are scientists doing research. Everything in, beside, beneath, over and around the river corridor gets studied. There are bald eagles, condors, humpback chub, trout, tamarisks, rocks and waters, just to name a few things that are studied and recorded. Some teams go down there during the winter season to build trails or to rebuild the ones that are already being used. The flora and fauna are worked on.

Some rafters are down there just for fun. It's an awesome environment to spend your fall and/or winter in.

The water temperature is pretty constant at 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. The air temperature is what has changed. It's obviously much cooler. The angle of the sun's rays is different. There are fewer hours of direct sunshine deep in the canyon, on the river. Winter rafters dress and pack very differently from summertime rafters. Lots of fleece is in order for trips this time of year.

Grand Canyon National Park is accessible year round. Be prepared for cold days, cold water and even colder nights.

Thinking about a Grand Canyon rafting vacation? Call Arizona River Runners, 1-800-477-7238, we can help you plan your family rafting trip. We have a variety of Grand Canyon rafting packages, one is sure to fulfill your wishes!

Gift the Grand Canyon ~ Whitewater Rafting with Arizona River Runners

Here's a thought for holiday giving. Make reservations with Arizona River Runners for a trip of a lifetime. Reserve dates on the Arizona River Runners launch calendar for a Grand Canyon Rafting trip next summer. If it's something you and yours have always wanted to do, this would definitely be a gift that will get used. To actually do this, just call the office (800.477.7238), pick your dates and put down a deposit. It's just that easy, and it's easy to adjust your dates later if you need to.

Just imagine what excitement there will be when the gift of rafting the Grand Canyon is opened. Imagine the faces of your family or friends when they find out they will be whitewater rafting through the Grand Canyon in the summer! I'm sure the people in the ARR office can send you something to help you with your gifting. Tell them you got the idea from this blog!

Sing with me......"Santa Claus is coming to town....Santa Claus is coming to town".

Call 800-477-7238 now!

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