We have received letters from our guests that share special moments, kind words of praise, and suggestions that have helped us improve our service. We will continue to share new letters with you on this page and throughout the site. We depend on your feedback to ensure that we are providing the highest level of service possible... keep it coming!
February 13th, 2013 AmyD
Dave and Jason, Playa Uvita, Costa Rica
Seems we may have a migratory pattern evolving with our AO staff. Ever since Pam, former guide and manager of AO’s Merced operation, established a unique beach-side hostel in Playa Uvita, Costa Rica the AO migration has only increased. It’s no coincidence she calls it The Flutterby House. We’ve got AO guides migrating there like a bunch of Monarchs.
While many AO folks of past and present have visited, two of AO’s favorites are spending their winters “working” at Pam’s brain child. In the Spring Dave manages the North Stanislaus River and in the hot summer months he’ll guide you down Clavey Falls on the T or drive you up the narrow Middle Fork take-out road (beads of sweat dripping from his brow!). But today, my friends, he is on a much-deserved stay-cation. He is reported to be as giddy as a carefree 12 year old whose biggest concern is fitting in surf sessions in between fresh ceviche, karaoke en español, and a little “work”. Seems Dave has really taken to heart the local saying in Costa Rica, “Pura vida” (pure life).
Dave and Jason donning AO threads!
Also roughing it the tropics is Jason, one of our favorite South Fork/Middle Fork guides. Armed with some Rosetta Stone Spanish lessons and a smile Jason is learning about toros, purrujas, and surfing(ocean-style).
We miss them both and can’t wait to see them in April for early season rafting.
Posted in AO Weekly: Company News and Entertaining Stories, California Rivers- Flows, News, and Events, From the Middle Fork, From the Tuolumne River, North Stanislaus, Random: Gear, Musings and Poetic Prose, Uncategorized, Where in the World is AO? | No Comments »
July 6th, 2011 Roxanne
Thanks to a handy headcam, some high-water lovin’ rafters, and a darn good river guide, we’ve got some great new footage to share with you. This Tuolumne 1-Day trip was captured just a couple weeks ago when it was roaring at 11,500 CFS!
This full length version (27 minutes), covers most of the Class IV-IV+ rapids on the T’s 18 river miles. Watch it and fall in love with the Tuolumne all over again…
Switch to 1080p on YouTube player for best quality.
Special thanks to Chuck Salisbury of Choice Exposure for footage.
Posted in From the Tuolumne River, MultiMedia, Tuolumne River, Video | No Comments »
August 3rd, 2000 Sammy Russo
Feedback was sent to Roxanne in our Walnut Creek office from Karen in Salida, CA. Karen joined us on a Tuolumne River 2-Day trip.
Dear Roxanne,
Thank you for the email. We had a FANTASTIC time on our Tuolumne trip, and we will definitely be back with AO for more rafting next season! As usual, all of the guides (Hunter, Lindsey, Laura, Joe, Dave, and Brad) were friendly, professional, helpful, energetic, and awesome, and the meals (especially the guacamole and the fresh-cut fruits) were delicious.
I was expecting a lot from this trip because we had a great time on our last trip with AO, and I was not disappointed. You guys did a great job from the time we made our reservations to the very end of the trip. Thanks again and please contact us when your spring-only class IV rivers are available!
Karen
P.S. Please give a special thanks to our guide Hunter!
Posted in From the Tuolumne River | No Comments »
August 3rd, 2000 Sammy Russo
Feedback was sent to Brian in our Walnut Creek office from Jean R. in Oakland, CA. Jean joined us on one of our Tuolumne River trips.
Hi Brian,
My group had a great time on the Tuolumne on Monday. Our guide was Dave, and he was a great navigator and very friendly. The river was a lot of fun with lots of rapids so we were always entertained. We were lucky enough to have great weather (warm but not scorching, a light breeze through the canyon.) We heard some others talk about the Cherry Creek trip and maybe we will be up for that next year. Thanks again for everything.
Jean Ross
Posted in From the Tuolumne River | No Comments »
August 3rd, 2000 Sammy Russo
Feedback was sent to our Walnut Creek office from Joanna T. & Chris M. in San Francisco, CA. They joined us on one of our Tuolumne River trips.
Hey AO,
My husband and I rafted the Tuolomne yesterday and just wanted to thank you guys for the awesome experience. Our guide was Drew and he was so great. He was super-knowledgeable about everything from rafting to geology to Sierra history. Lindsey did the greeting/orientation and she was really good too, immediately making us feel welcome and very excited to get on the water.This was our second trip with you guys and we will definitely be back!
Joanna T. and Chris M.
Posted in From the Tuolumne River | No Comments »
July 27th, 2000 Sammy Russo
Feedback was sent to us from Masa M. regarding his rafting trip on the Tuolumne River. Masa took his son on a 1-Day Tuolumne Trip on July 16, 2007.
Hi,
The trip was awesome!
I was a bit worried before the trip began because I didn’t want my son to have any kind of unpleasant experience, in particular I didn’t want him to fall off the raft at any of the difficult rapids (I know this sounds over-protective… but I’m a Dad). The trip was not only great but also one of the best I have had. Lindsey was an awesome guide not only because of her skills controlling the raft and giving direction, but also for her charisma and positive attitude. The other guides were also great from what I got to see and they all worked quite well as a team. My kid loved the trip.
I am definitely rafting with you again next season.
cheers,
~Masa M.
Posted in From the Tuolumne River | No Comments »
July 27th, 2000 Sammy Russo
This feedback comes from Jack M. of Woodstock, MD. Jack joined us on one of our new Tuolumne / Cherry Creek Combo Trips.
The rafting was amazing. Adam and his crew were wonderfully proficient. He made us sufficiently prepared for the rigors of the adventure. It was one of the most excitingly enjoyable activities of my and my stepsons lives. The food was fine and the staff really relished the endeavor. If I can manage to get out there next year,we would love to do it again. It would be especially nice if fellow rafter Jim was along. The Lower / Upper combo trip that we inadvertently obtained was a great fit. Thanks again and keep me posted for the future.
Posted in From Cherry Creek, From the Tuolumne River | No Comments »
July 17th, 2000 Sammy Russo
Feedback was sent to Brian in out Walnut Creek office from Chris D of Irvine, CA. Chris joined us on one of our new Tuolumne / Cherry Creek Combo Trips.
Brian:
I am happy to report that our group had an amazing time on both the Tuolumne and Cherry Creek rafting trips. Your guides were top-notch, your food first class, and the rivers were spectacular. Everyone in the group was really impressed by the AO experience, and I will be highly recommending this trip and AO Rafting to all my friends and family.
Some highlights in particular:
From the first 5 minutes of the trip your guides knew all the guest’s names, and at every opportunity the guides were integrating with the guests, adding additional information about the surroundings, and even giving impromptu geology lessons.
The river can be dangerous! At no time, however, did I feel that I was in anything but the best of hands, as our equipment was excellent and the guides’ knowledge of the river and skill in navigating the rapids were exceptional.
It’s the little things that matter: snacks while the guides are preparing the food, cold sodas waiting for you at take-out, having the boats rigged and ready to go when the guest arrive at the launch. Again, at every turn I felt pampered by the AO experience.
Thank you again for a wonderful rafting experience.
In response to your question about swimmers: yes, we had two on the Cherry Creek run, and yes, it was exciting getting them back into the boat in time before we headed over the next drop. Thrilling!
Please give our best regards to our guides: Danny, Adam, Noah, Brad, Matt, and Lindsey.
They all were phenomenal!
Warmest regards,
Chris D.
Posted in From Cherry Creek, From the Tuolumne River | No Comments »
