Every Thursday I write about a place I'd love to go. This week, I'm ready for some adventure. Western River Expeditions (westernriver.com) has new lodge-to-lodge rafting trips on Oregon's Rogue River that sound just perfect.
From the email they sent me:
With legendary Pacific Northwest appeal stemming from deep roots in river rafting lore, the Rogue River rafting trip blends wildlife (think deer and black bear) wilderness with cabin comforts and family-style meals in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, a region so remote that mail boats still deliver letters to isolated residents on waters running over 200 miles from the Cascade Mountains near Crater Lake to the Pacific.
The all-inclusive rate for three days per adult is $939, $879 for ages 5-16; for four days the rate is $1,245 adult, $1,165 ages 5-16 (plus tax). Trips begin and end at Morrison's Lodge near Merlin, 43 miles from Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport in Medford, OR.
On Day One a rapid named Grave Creek marks the congressionally designated (National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968) Wild & Scenic section of the Rogue River. Later guests walk around Ranie Falls, a notorious Class V rapid. Afternoons are spent splashing through Class II and Class III rapids before retiring to off-the-grid Black Bar Lodge that shuts down its generators after dinner.
Hikes to historic cabins are interspersed with river adventures on Day Two that ends at Marial Lodge. There's an optional evening hike through dense conifers to a nearby waterfall. Day Three brings rafters to Mule Creek Canyon, Blossom Bar and Devils Staircase, all Class IV rapids with an end in sight at Galice Resort. Those who embark on a four-day adventure spend a night at Paradise Lodge and more time exploring the Oregon canopy.
More info: Go here.

