Even though I love being in and around water, whitewater rafting is not generally my forte (something about freezing water, rocks that threaten to toss you overboard and swells that want to swallow you whole). Nevertheless, when in Oregon…
UnCruise teams up with a local company called River Drifters for a day rafting the Deschutes. The Deschutes, a major tributary of the Columbia, is a narrow, winding river which is full of several aptly named rapids. River Drifters suited us up with wetsuits and paddles and away we went in a pair of school busses to our put-in location. Once we arrived, we were sorted into groups depending on your adventure level. My husband and I jumped into the most adventurous boat (paired with several of the UnCruise guides) and pushed off into the shallows where we received some whitewater rafting 101 (hint: never take your hands off your paddle).
It was all rapids from there.
Rafting! (Haley Rowell)
Our guide steered us through rapid after rapid, commenting on the scenery and history of the area between swells. At one point, out boat was instructed to do the opposite of whitewater rafting 101 - lowering one hand (with the paddle) over the side of the boat while holding on with the other and leaning away from safety and towards the river as our boat turned up on its side to go through a particular rapid.
It was very wet. It was very fun.
At the end of our journey, UnCruise greeted us back on shore with a hot soup lunch for which we were all eternally grateful.
The Adventure Life staff, for me it's Franny, always listens to what I say about what kind of travel my wife and I want and expect. It never goes wrong. The motto at AL seems to be I will get back to you right away if not sooner. Requested changes and special requests are encouraged and acted on ASAP.
Dick Philpot
1 week ago
The trip planners at Adventure Life were very helpful and always replied to my inquiries right away. The excursions, accomodations, and local guides were excellent
Avi Argaman
1 week ago
Be sure to sign up for all the tours, otherwise you will be sitting on the boat since not all stops are moored at a dock. Some are anchored.
Gail Puryear
1 week ago
There were two best aspects to our trip:
1. The Adventure Life folks and the folks in Athens and Crete who supported our itinerary, guided us, and ran the cooking program were all superb.
2. Everything they all planned for us went without a hitch. When we needed a bit of help, they came through with really good answers.
We became aware of AL from a friend who had an excellent experience in a different location. So did we. We can recommend AL without reservation.
Tom Campbell
1 week ago
My agent Jeff did not push the sale while providing thorough information and replying quickly to my many questions.
