Russian River Canoe Trip Ideal for Families
May 18, 2009 by Rafting and Kayaking Tips
Filed under Kayaking & Canoeing
The Russian River flows through such famous Wine Country destinations as Geyserville and Healdsburg before it makes its way out to the sea through gentle hills covered with thick redwood forests and teaming with rare birds and other wildlife. About a 10-mile stretch of the river from Forestville to Guerneville is ideal for calm-water canoeing or kayaking and a local company called Burke’s Canoe Trips helps make it even easier by providing canoes, kayaks and a shuttle service that will return you to your car near Forestville.
The Russian River, in this case, is not exactly the “rushin’” river. If you’re looking for a lot of fast water and river rapids, there are other California rivers that will fill that bill, but not this one. In fact, the water here is so tame that it’s really not all that good for inner-tubing because in some parts you can’t keep enough forward motion without a lot of paddling. For that reason, canoes and kayaks — which seem to glide over the water with little effort — are ideal.
It’s not that you won’t get a few thrills. As the people from Burkes’ Canoes told us, there is just enough fast water to make things interesting. There are a few points in the river where channels of current can carry you into tree branches along the shore, or get your canoe turned around in a whirlpool if you don’t guide your canoe to the right area. But the good news is that, even if you flip, the water’s relatively warm, not very deep and you’ll be carried forward to a calm area in literally just seconds.
We opted for a canoe on our trip down the river and were advised to keep all of our cameras or anything that could be water-damaged in a safe water-tight plastic bag. We also had been told to wear our swim suits, and were required to wear lightweight life-preservers. Looking at the calm water near the launch area, it almost seemed silly to worry about flipping over and we were wondering why there was so much emphasis on preparing to get wet.
We put a cooler full of drinks and sanwiches in our canoe and set off somewhat tentatively on our journey. Canoes are inherently unstable - at least if you haven’t been around them for awhile - and it took us a few minutes to get comfortable with our balance and to get some confidence we could maneuver properly. But alas, our Boy Scout training soon kicked in just fine even though it had been decades - and probably a 20 percent weight gain — since we had last put paddle to water.
Within about two minutes we faced our first challenge - avoiding a fairly fast river current pushing everything toward the wooded right shore. We aimed our canoe to the left bank, paddled quickly and managed to coordinate our front and rear paddles just enough to avoid the hazard. It wasn’t a perfect approach, but it was a confidence builder. We looked forward to honing our paddling skills as we faced new challenges further down the river.
Soon we were into a calm stretch of water, barely moving but only requiring a gentle paddle to keep making good forward progress. This was when we really started to take in the natural beauty of the river - the thick forests of giant trees and the continuous ballet performed by the birds of the Russian River such as the Great Blue Heron and osprey. Along the way we would see turtles and deer as well. We also enjoyed paddling by the charming vacation cabins that are perched above the river in many strategic locations along this stretch of the Russian. Spectacular bridges span the river at various points although most of this float was away from the highway, making it feel even more remote than it actually is.
We spent the next four hours or so alternating between negotiating some of the stronger currents - or what you might call very small rapids — and quietly paddling on a beautiful blue-sky spring day. We stopped only for a few minutes to have a sandwich on a spectacular sandy beach - although we’re told most people linger at these beaches to swim, sunbathe and just hang out with their fellow travelers for hours on end.
After mastering maybe a dozen fast-current bottlenecks and with less than a few hundred yards to go to our finish, we were feeling supremely confident that we had regained the canoeing prowess of our youth. And then the unthinkable happened: we flipped. We had run aground in some shallow water and momentarily forgot that you don’t dislodge a canoe by shifting your weight. Yes, we did get a little wet, but we weren’t really cold on this bright sunny day and we were able to retrieve our belongings in short order.
Our pride was wounded. But we did feel better later when the Burke’s Canoe people told us that fully one half of their customers flip at some point along this seemingly calm and idyllic stretch of river.
Nearby accommodations
Back in our car, we now drove the 10 miles back down to Guerneville where we would spend the night. With parks and trails and redwood scenery all just minutes from downtown, Guerneville is a popular destination for outdoors enthusiasts as well as those who love the charm of colorful small towns. Guerneville has a quiet Main Street - much busier on weekends - that offers a number of crafts shops and hometown restaurants. We enjoyed taking a couple of drives outside of town to places like Armstrong Woods with its trails through deep redwood forests. Many visitors drive just a few miles down to Jenner where the Russian River meets the Pacific Ocean.
We spent the night at the West Sonoma Inn and Spa, a stylish group of buildings at the edge of Guerneville where the resort takes advantage of the natural redwood scenery and nearby vineyard views. The innkeepers here have gone the extra mile in providing a lot of extras for guests that often are not found in small-town lodging facilities - plush beds, fireplaces, granite counter tops, wet bars, private decks and mini-kitchens. Our unit was unusually spacious and, because of a more spread-out configuration, each unit seemed quite private and very quiet. Grounds were richly landscaped and maintained.
A light European breakfast is offered at the West Sonoma Coast Inn that includes gourmet organic coffee, juice, fresh fruit and pastries. Prices at the inn start at less than $100 which, today, is a bargain in a highly desirable tourist area. That’s especially true when you realize that the inn is considered by many to among the best and most luxurious lodging options in Guerneville.
AT A GLANCE
WHERE: The Russian River is in Sonoma County and the put-in point for Burke’s Canoe Trips is about 70 miles northwest of San Francisco.
WHAT: Burke’s Canoe Trips have been popular with couples and groups of all sizes for decades and are self-guided trips down a 10-mile stretch of the Russian River. The company furnishes the canoe and safety gear and then picks you up in their shuttle bus at the end of your trip, near Guerneville.
WHEN: The trips start each year at the end of May and continue throughout the summer. Weather is generally sunny and in the 80’s.
WHY: Russian River canoe trips are a great way to see river scenery in a spectacular part of California where you’ll enjoy both redwood forests and abundant wildlife. It’s also a social experience since many people do the trip in groups.
HOW: For more information on Russian River canoe trips, phone 707-887-1222 or visit www.burkescanoetrips.com. Burke’s Canoes charges $58 per canoe for use of the canoe, safety gear and pick up on the company shuttle. For more information on the West Sonoma Coast Inn, phone 1-800-551-1881 or visit www.westsonomainn.com.
Thanks to Cary Ordway for contributing this article to our Rafting blog:
Cary Ordway is president of Getaway Media Corp which publishes websites focused on regional travel. Among the sites offered by GMC are http://www.californiaweekend.com, covering California beach vacations and http://www.northwesttraveladvisor.com, featuring Oregon travel and other locations in the Pacific Northwest.
Are there any outfitters or places in WI that you can hunt while canoeing or ATVing ? Maybe even camping?
May 17, 2009 by Rafting and Kayaking Tips
Filed under Kayaking & Canoeing
I have never hunted before and am looking to try it out for the first time, But I really am not interested in sitting in a tree stand. I am looking for something with a little more adventure, maybe a mixture of camping, canoeing or ATVing for hogs or something like that.
Rafting Tips
What kind of shoes should i wear for canoeing/kayaking?
May 17, 2009 by Rafting and Kayaking Tips
Filed under Kayaking & Canoeing
What kind of shoe is best for canoeing and kayaking? Are vans slip ons or flip flops okay?
White Water Rafting West Virginia
I want to start learn kayak or canoeing.How should i start?
May 17, 2009 by Rafting and Kayaking Tips
Filed under Kayaking & Canoeing
I always liked it Kayak ,or canoeing but never tried it.is there any place i can try it if it is something for me.i live in wallington ,london.
Whitewater Rafting Vacation
Get Google Ads Free
May 16, 2009 by Rafting and Kayaking Tips
Filed under Kayaking & Canoeing
I recently had a chance to interview the fine team of professionals at WebBusinessSecrets.com whose flagship product is entitled "Get Google Ads Free."
In April of 2007 "Get Google Ads Free" was launched, and the effect was nothing less than equal to "the shot heard around the world!"
Within just weeks people everywhere were talking about it, and other top-notch online marketers were scurrying to sell it as an Affiliate for the company.
But here’s a little insight that 99.9% of everyone the world over doesn’t know:
The Product’s greatest endorser is none other than Google itself!
That’s right. As shocking as it may seem, Google has NO problem with the course that reveals how anyone can get ads on their search engine for Free!
Now, at this point I know you must be curious as to how such a thing is possible, as Google makes its money from the sale of both AdWords (PPCs) and AdSense (where webmasters allow Google to show their ads on their pages).
One might think that any information that revealed how an advertiser could get their AdWords pay-per-clicks free would be damaging to Google, and therefore Google would not want anyone finding out about it, right?
WRONG! It seems that the secret system developed by the retired native New York doctor contains an interesting "twist" that while allowing advertisers to eliminate their AdWords costs, it does not reduce a single dollar in AdWords revenue for Google.
In fact, just the opposite!
I cannot give away the secret here because that’s why it’s for sale in the first place.
But I can tell you that with the application of what’s inside "Get Google Ads Free" that:
- Google loses NO money
- Google actually can make even more M0NEY!
- Advertisers gain an instant almost unfair advantage over anyone
not knowing what’s inside "Get Google Ads Free!"
- Advertisers can now afford to outbid their competition!
- Advertisers are not at risk any longer as their advertising
budgets no longer matter!
Wow! And this is just the beginning!
Now, where’s the definitive PROOF that Google endorses the amazing system shown in "Get Google Ads Free?"
I asked this question to company spokesperson and Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Mr Todd Coutrin, to which he responded:
—
"We started our launch like we always do with any product online,
using Google AdWords to offer our Product.
"We used keywords that contained the word ‘free’ so we
anticipated the usual HOLD these keywords usually cause any
campaign using them to experience.
"But when our campaign was paused by Google for a tad more time
than what we regularly anticipated, then we got concerned.
"I actually placed a call directly to Google at 1-866-2-GOOGLE
and spoke at length with a customer services rep who said she’d
check into what was happening.
"She returned my call 16 hours later and informed me that due to
the specific nature of the Product in question (i.e., the ebook
"Get Google Ads Free!") their team at Google secured the
product, read it all the way trough, and then realizing it would
NOT hurt their revenue but actually increase it, they
immediately un-paused and resumed our ads"
—
Amazing! They actually got what amounts to a Signed Certificate of APPROVAL from Google itself!
Therefore, anyone who questions the truth or legality concerning "Get Google Ads Free!" need not fret at all.
Yet, the usual "naysayers" seemed to ignore the obvious fact that if Google had a problem with "Get Google Ads Free!" then we all wouldn’t be seeing all the PPC ads at Google each time we type in the keywords and phrases:
- free ads
- free advertising
- "Get Google Ads Free"
- free ppc
- free adwords
And so forth!
Yet, there are many very stubborn, even foolish, among us …
> The "Crybaby Syndrome <
To be fair, I must also inform you of those who seem to be out to get the company for sharing their amazing secret with the world.
In what seems nothing more than a ploy to get attention, a UK online firm operated by two "wanna-be" law students have a Blog that talks the usual trash about the Product.
The Blog’s owner, Rob Scott, talks a big game by claiming the secret system to be nothing short of a scam! He even recklessly throws around the potentially libelous phrase ".con (Ooops, I meant .com)" as an attempt at childish humor in order to bash the firm’s name.
What’s shocking is that this individual is actually a student of law (at least that’s what he claims) so one would think that he should perhaps check out the facts before proceeding with such careless remarks.
After all, he admits severally that he "never even ordered the ebook" so how could he truly know one way or the other if it was a valid system - not to mention it is assumed he’s at least reasonably intelligent since (according to him) he got into law school, that he would be able to see for himself the firm’s Affiliates’ ads all over Google, and therefore reason that Google itself is perhaps the firm’s chief supporter.
But stubbornness abounds, I suppose.
Ironically Rob says that the only reason he attacks the firm is because "it’s a no brainer that this must be a scam," and he got "tired of seeing all those little AdSense ads on his page that people kept clicking on" (which by the way only stood to make him lots of M0NEY!) — yet he accepts donations on his site as a poor, struggling law student in need of paying for his education, and rather than legitimately earn an income from AdSense with an APPROVED Product.
Sadly, Rob actually censors most of his Blog so that others who wish to post POSITIVES concerning "Get Google Ads Free!" can’t even do so. (But what would you expect from a "wanna-be" lawyer?)
He even posts what appears to be an actual response by the firm’s lawyer, but which is perhaps nothing more than his own posts disguised and designed to make himself look better (as anyone can see that the dialogue appears "manufactured" instead of genuine).
What some people will do to project themselves as "Savior to the rest of us" and "The People’s Advocate." How ridiculous indeed.
Despite the "crybaby" from across the pond, Rob Snot (Ooops! I must have meant Rob Scott!) has failed miserably to put even a dent in the firm’s sales!
Plus, traffic is on the rise shooting up from an average of 14,000 visitors daily to now well above 20,000 visitors daily (an increase of 42% in daily traffic alone! — Keep up the good work, Rob!!)
Anyway, don’t be dissuaded in your decision to build your online business by eliminating your Google AdWords costs, as the course "Get Google Ads Free!" not only reveals precisely how you can do this, but it goes 10 steps further by giving you all kinds of other amazing strategies I can’t even begin to allude to here.
Plus, the e-Course comes with countless resources that go far beyond the usual variety of instantly-clickable extra values!
Lastly never forget that even though quite elderly now, Dr Jon Cohen has even set new records finishing ahead of himself by now
having:
- Grossed over $400 Million in revenues!!
- and SAVED over $100 Million in Google advertising costs!!
- attained a personal wealth above $80 million
….all due to his own system!
*NOTE: Rob Scott is broke and demands donations! (Ha!)
Talk about putting your money where your mouth is!!
As one very famous Internet Marketer said it best:
"This is a weapon that should be in every Internet and Affiliate
Marketer’s arsenal and library!"
Get it directly from the good doctor himself!
Thanks to John Cano for contributing this article to our Rafting blog:
So if you’d like to get in on all the action, then go grab this amazing "BREAKTHROUGH" for yourself only at:









