March 12th, 2010
Our trip to Ohio for the Boy Scout Show was SO much easier this go around. We had clear skies and clear roads all the way there. Even though we left a little later than originally planned this trip was way less Stressful.
We want to thank all the Scouts and the Scout Leaders that came by our booth on Saturday, March 6. The Boy Scout store had the booth next to us this year and we enjoyed talking with Adam and Andrew. We asked a lot of questions about the new National Jamboree and the location in Mt. Hope. Everyone seemed very excited about the Jamboree and what all it will bring to the scouts. The day could not have been any better. Good weather and good people always make for good times. We made new friends and met with some long time friends that have been rafting with us for a number of years. Look forward to seeing everyone on the River in 2010. SG
Tags: boy scouts, national jamboree, rafting, whitewater adventures
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March 4th, 2010
After record snow falls this year, today we are finally getting a break in the monotony of shoveling our way out just to go anywhere. It is March and Spring is just around the corner (despite what it may look like outside). So we are starting the processes to get our basecamp up and ready for everyone to come visit us. We have new construction going on for our cabins, as we speak. We are trying our best to listen to the customers, and give YOU what you want. So I am looking forward to seeing the finished product. We have been meeting with our t-shirt vendors and ordering new apparel to stock our Outfitters’ Store. Not to mention, we will have changes in the Red Dog this year. So there is a light at the end of our snow tunnel. Spring is ALMOST HERE! So let the adventure begin…see you on the river!
Tags: deluxe cabins, luxury cabins, new construction, outfitters store, red dog river saloon
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February 26th, 2010
We have been busy at work this morning and getting ready for the weekend. I don’t think I need to check the weather forecast to see what it is going to be like out—MORE snow showers, blowing & drifting, windy & COLD! Hopefully not enough snow to cancel the 4th Annual Central WV Hunting and Fishing Show this weekend Feb 27-28 at the Summersville Armory. A lot of the younger kids and older “grown up” kids are looking forward to getting out, especially with so much cabin fever this month.
Speaking of shows – Sue and I will be heading back out next Friday to North Canton, OH for the Buckeye Council Boy Scouts of America Show March 6 at the Kent State Stark Campus. Hopefully this trip will be better than the last and no major blizzards are planned to hit. If you are in the area please stop by and see us. We are so excited about The Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve in Fayette County. We are looking forward to meeting a lot of scouts next weekend and inviting them to stop by River Expeditions this summer to earn their whitewater merit badge.
To everyone that has cabin fever and is tired of all the snow, storms and winter in general, there are only 23 days until SPRING. – SS
Tags: Boy Scouts of America, cabin fever, fayette county, rafting merit badge, spring whitewater
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February 15th, 2010
Recently my friend related this story I thought was worth sharing. His son has been teaching kids to snow ski for the past several years. This young ski instructor told his dad he has discovered why some kids don’t make much progress in developing skills while skiing.
He said there is one factor above all else that prevents them from developing like the other kids seem to develop. The kids who don’t develop their skills are afraid of falling. Their goal while skiing is, “I don’t want to fall.” The kids who develop very quickly are the ones who are not afraid of falling. They try the techniques that are being taught, they ski hard and yes, they fall at times because everything is new.
The more they keep working hard at the techniques, the more they fall. The more they fall, the better they become and of course, they eventually fall less frequently. That is the formula for success. Everyone has a choice. Fear stops progress, but being willing to fail while learning creates skills which of course turn into success. It’s a choice! What fears will you conquer this year? Hjo
Tags: fear of failure, learning new skills, snow skiing, stay motivated
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February 12th, 2010
Well, what else is there to say but “When will Spring be Here?”. For the first time that I know of the Boy Scout show in Ohio was cancelled due to bad weather. Our trip to Ohio was an eventful one to say the least. The four hour trip took us over seven hours. The snow and cold temperatures made the roadways nearly impossible to travel. But with determination, luck and a lot of prayer as we travelled mile after mile, we finally made it to the hotel. This was an exhausting trip that put my driving skills to the test. We passed many vehicles in the ditch or in the median facing the wrong direction.
As we made our way to dinner it was apparent that this was going to be an adventurous weekend no matter what the weather. The snow was about 6 inches deep and still falling with winds that were very strong and bone chilling. After dinner we made our way back to the hotel to only find out there was more snow to come and much colder temperatures on the way. We could hear the snow blowers working hard outside our window trying to clear a path for travelers. At a glance this did not seem to be a good sign for the morning ahead. The snow blowers were being bogged down due to the large amount of snow on the ground.
Once up and about and not really wanting to look out the window, we discovered that there was about a foot or more of snow on the ground. This led to a plan of action that meant getting ready and then attempting to clean of the vehicle with the snow still coming down. The vehicle was hidden under a blanket of snow and ice. It took us a few minutes to get to the vehicle due to the snow being about shin high and then to get the door opened. It was difficult enough to get the vehicle door opened and the vehicle started and now we have try and remove the snow. It is amazing the amount of snow that fell over night. Once this task was accomplished we returned to the hotel to warm up and get some warm drinks. Now, we have the task of making our way to the Kent State Stark Campus and unloading the show items.
To our surprise the parking lot is just now being plowed and there are no lights on in the building. There are only a few cars in the parking lot and no one is unloading. A gentleman with the scouts came to the door and informs us that the show has been cancelled. What a bummer that we have made it all this way through the snow and treacherous roads and now no show! So, we make the decision to head back to West Virginia due to radio announcement that there is more snow on the way. West Virginia here we come ready or not. During the trip home we can only hope that the roads are better across the state line and wishing for a break in the weather. SG
Tags: bad weather, Boy Scouts of America, travel show, West Virginia travel, whitewater rafting
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February 4th, 2010
This week we are busy running around getting ready for two travel shows. Ensuring not only one van is loaded with show stuff, but two vans our loaded. We will be attending the The Buckeye Counsel Boy Scouts of America Show in North Canton, OH, as well as the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show in Harrisburg, PA. We will be at the Kent State Professional Education & Conference Center, Stark Campus, Canton OH, Saturday, February 6, 2010. The Harrisburg, PA, show runs from Saturday, February 6, 2010 to Sunday, February 14, 2010, at the State Farm Show Complex.
If you are in or near these areas please stop by. Meeting us at shows are a great way of having one on one contact to ask questions for those who have never rafted before or been to our area. We have a picture slideshow and rafting video for you to view so you see exactly the adventure we offer. We also offer special rates and offers to those who stop by and visit us at the shows. So take advantage of these special offers while you can.
Tags: boy scouts of american, eastern sports and outdoors show, travel shows, whitewater specials
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January 29th, 2010
It’s hard to believe it’s the end of January already. Time seems to be flying by. I’m sure if I blink a few more times it will be spring (which I know everyone is looking forward to). After watching and reading the news this morning, it looks like winter continues here in West Virginia and across the country. I’m sure most of you can’t wait to wake up in the morning to see what Mother Nature will bring tonight. It seems like this winter has been a little harder than we’re used to. It is definitely going to help me enjoy the fun that the sun and summer will bring later! Until then, I hope most of the storms will go around us so we can get in some high school basketball games! SS
Tags: high school basketball, snow skiing, summer sun, west virginia rafting, winter storm
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January 22nd, 2010
As cabin fever is in full swing this winter, don’t put off planning your vacation because you’re worried about the financial aspects of getting away for some well deserved FUN. You can still have fun on a limited budget. It just takes some know-how.
The current economy has yielded one positive: plenty of travel deals! You can save on everything from airfare, car rentals, hotels, restaurants, attractions and yes, even rafting. River Expeditions is proud to announce that we will not increase our rafting rates in 2010, despite rising operating costs. And the earlier you book your trip, the more money you can save.
Visit tourism websites for the states and cities that interest you and look for valuable money-saving information, coupons and even a list of FREE activities. Happy Travels and Happy Bargain Hunting!
Here are FIVE THINGS YOU CAN GET FOR FREE at River Expeditions:
- FREE trip with every 15 people paid
- FREE continental breakfast for full day rafters
- FREE beverages after full day rafting
- FREE use of our Outdoor Pool & Hot Tub for campers/rafters
- FREE wireless access
Tags: budget travel, cabin fever, no rate increase, vacation deals
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January 16th, 2010
Are my eyes deceiving me?? Is that the Sun? I am so glad to see the sun shining today. It seems as though the only thing everyone around here has been able to see the past few weeks was snow and darkness. The past few weeks have been trying times for everyone with all the power outages and no water due to the freezing temperatures. These are times when friends, families and neighbors pull together to make sure that everyone has heat and supplies. It was a lot of hard work getting some of our friends and family dug out of the snow in order to pass along much needed supplies or even moving them to warmer conditions. Even though these times make you very tired and weary at the same time your heart is warmed with the love and heartfelt ‘thank you’ received in return.
Hopefully, these sunny days and warmer temperatures will continue for a few more days and help melt away the ice/snow and give us time to restock and get everyone settled. These sunny days warm the heart and soul of everyone who has been under the weather and shut in. We all look forward to Spring and the sunny days ahead. Seeing the sun in the mornings is definitely a good way to start the day.
On a much grander scale, everyone needs to send their heartfelt thoughts and prayers out to the victims of the Haiti earthquake. Also, we need to remember relief workers and the military personnel that are working in Haiti during this crisis. Let the Lord be with them during this trying time. SG
Tags: family and friends, snowstorm, southern West Virginia, spring whitewater
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January 8th, 2010
So here in southern West Virginia we are trying our best to stay warm in the frigid cold temperatures, and trying to keep our heads above the snow drifts. Before Christmas we received around 3 feet of snow in certain areas. Thankfully, that melted away only to prepare us for another 20 inches to fall this week. We are expected to have 14 more inches by Saturday. Weathermen are reporting this is already the worst winter in the last 25 years. Not to mention, the school kids haven’t been to school since December 18, 2009.
As I sit here and watch the snow fall I’ve finally decided at the age of 34 just exactly what I want to be when I grow up. I want to be a teenager! Do you remember the days when they announced that school was closed? The immediate reaction was “Waaa Hoooo!” It was certainly not the reaction as an adult which is, “What?! Get these kids out of my house and out of my hair!” All we knew was we had a full day to play outside in the snow. The only stress was making sure you had enough clothes on to withstand the hours spent outside building snowmen, tubing and sleigh riding. No worries of making it safely to and from work. No worries of having enough food to survive being stranded for your entire family. No worries of losing power and keeping your family warm. As a teenager, losing power, that just meant board games and cards were played by all. So the excitement never ended. **big sigh** those were the days! So until I can enjoy all of this snow fall with the huge whitewater it will bring this spring for our icebreaker and college weekends, I will continue to worry about having enough food, safety on the roads, losing power and heat as I am trying to stay warm, and trying to entertain these kids that are driving me crazy. So as an adult hoping for no more snow days…I do have enjoyment reminiscing in the eyes of a child. From our family to yours ~ I hope you are safe and warm!
Tags: snow days, southern West Virginia, spring rafting, winter
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