The All-Outdoors Whitewater Rafting California River Blog

Many of you have probably rafted the South Fork of the American River and wondered about the wildlife that lives on the riverbank and in the canyon.  If you’ve been particularly curious about the feathered creatures, you’ll be interested in a special event hosted by the American River Conservancy this Saturday, January 28th.  Point Reyes bird expert Alissa Fogg is going to lead a nature walk focused on Sierra Foothill bird life called “Ducks, Raptors, and Sparrows: Winter Bird Walk.”  The walk starts at 8:30 am and lasts until 11:30.  To sign up for the event or to get more information contact Julie at julie@arconservancy.org.

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Rumor has it–and by “rumor” I mean online reports and also some “professional snowboarder” that Amy d talked to who read the 2012 Farmer’s Almanac–that a storm in the Sierra is on its way.  We, as are all of you no doubt, are quite excited.  Sometimes it snows early, sometimes it snows late, and there’s a lot of time before the 2012 rafting season starts, but we are definitely looking forward to some snowfall.  Time to dust off your ski boots people!

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If your weekend is still open and you’re looking for something fun–and inspiring–to do, don’t forget that the Wild and Scenic Film Festival in Nevada City starts tomorrow, Jan 13th.

Films this year run the gamut from explorations of the Congo River, New Environmental Activists, and Biodynamic Farming in Egypt, so there is probably literally something for everyone.  Buy tickets and get the full film schedule at the festival website.

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Start the new year out with some inspiration, some beauty, some cold hard facts, and the information you need to make a difference!  The annual Wild and Scenic Film Festival in the lovely Sierra Foothills town of Nevada City is back!

The three day festival runs January 13, 14, and 15 and will showcase diverse  films about Oranges, Bees, REALLY big trees, Caribou and Barn Swallows! Literally something for everyone.  And of particular interest to you river fans will be a film about dam removal called “The Craziest Idea.”  As rafters we have a complicated relationship with dams because we understand their destructive power and their untenable construction, but we also benefit from them because they provide us with reliable and consistent flows on some of our (and your!) favorite rivers.  This film will certainly give us new things to think about when it comes to this complex and difficult issue.

The festival starts in a week so check out the website, plan out the films you want to watch, and make reservations for dinner so you and your friends can talk about the fascinating projects you see!  Tickets are available online.

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California rafters provided the Christmas tree for the Capitol this year!  Well, not really.  But the tree DID come from the Stanislaus Forest, which is verrrrrry close to some of our rivers…………..so we like to think that we somehow had something to do with it.  Probably a bit of vainglory but it is the most wonderful time of the year to take credit for things we had nothing to do with, right?   Admit it, though, it is kinda cool that the national Christmas tree came from our very own Golden State this year.  For you Arbor Day nuts out there, you can get all sorts of wacky facts about this year’s tree at the tree’s own website.  For instance, the tree is 118 years old!  And it’s lit with 100,000 lights!  yowza!  Merry Christmas one and all…………..we hope it’s a beautiful one even if your tree is closer to Charlie Brown’s than the Capitol’s.

(above: the lovely  tree before it was cut down and taken off to the nation’s capitol……)

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Our annual rafting expedition to Chile’s beautiful Patagonia region is just around the corner.  The “Rio Futaleufu” is a genuinely world-class river.  Challenging rapids, high-volumne water, jaw-dropping scenery………..all that and then you get to come home every night to a wood-fired hot tub, tasty dinners, fabulous local wines, and a comfy bed.  Did I mention the optional hikes?  Or the horse-back riding?  Or the massage? Fly-fishing?  Yoga classes?  Yeah, it’s pretty cool.  Our trip dates are January 12-20 this year and we would love to see you there!  Give us a call for more info and details on our Futaleufu rafting trip!

(Pic: That’s some seriously beautiful water.  Imagine rafting in that!)

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Yes, it’s hard to imagine now, but after the holidays are over and it’s just you and your resolutions and cloudy skies and rainy days, you are going to be seriously glad you planned ahead and got tickets for the annual Wild and Scenic Film Festival in Nevada City!  This year’s line-up will include pieces on Native American cultures, citizen activism, saving rivers, and displays of fine art around the festival site.

Tickets can be purchases online at: http://www.wildandscenicfilmfestival.org/festival/buy-tickets/  The festival runs January 13-15, 2012.

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Apparently AO likes zee French (who doesn’t, let’s be honest.  Ok maybe the lactose intolerant and those with celiac disease.  Also teetotallers.  And people afraid of mimes.  Anyway.), because for the second time, I present, AO en France!  And not just en France, but by le Tour Eiffel!  Oh la la! Here  river guide  Britt F shows off her AO-ness in style.  If you are headed to Paris anytime soon leave your AO behind and take me instead!  I’m kidding,  send me the proof (and a bottle of Beaujolais Nouveau, s’il vous plait!) to malina at AOrafting.com

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Taking the idea of rafting in the summer and hitting the slopes in the winter to a whole new level………………here are AO rafting guide  Brandon (and Company)  experiencing the snowy Sierra in classic Mason style!

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Attention AO rafters! Are you looking for a fun weekend to get away from school or work? One of those cool Fall weekends when you smell the rain coming and watch the red and orange leaves tumble down from the trees and think, I really need to do something relaxing?

If that infomercial-esque description is hitting home for you, then you need to get up to river country and check out Apple Hill. You know, wine fans are big on pairing their Cabernets and Merlots with meals. Here at AO, we think you should pair yours with the best white water rafting in California! The Apple Hill season has officially opened; tasty pie, wine tasting, and pumpkin patches are calling your name!

For example, Boeger Winery is hosting “A Taste of the Foothills” this Sunday, October 9^th, where you can enjoy wine, local art and a silent auction in the beautiful Sierra foothills. And Madrona Vineyards, also helping with “A Taste of the Foothills,” has the Placerville Art & Wine Festival on October 15^th.

Whatever the activity you plan to pursue, you can take a leisurely trip up to the country and have your choice of wine and festivities. And if you’re thirsting for a little adventure after a day in the vineyards, don’t forget you can still book trips on the South Fork of the American River with All-Outdoors, and we’ll be happy to take you!

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