Summer Camp for adults
River rafting for 21 friends
By Patty Brooks
If someone were to tell me that I would be spending a long weekend with 20 incredible friends rafting down the South Fork of the American River, near Sacramento, in the spring of 2008 I would say, you’re kidding. Yet, I did it. What an awesome experience.
This isn’t my first time river rafting. Several years’ back I went on a river rafting trip on the Kern River. It was a exhilarating. And, it was educational. River rafting isn’t a laid back adventure. You have to be prepared for the role of working the river, and you have to respect and take orders from the river guides whose role it is to keep you safe, yet allow you to have an amazing river experience.
This recent trip was very much an adventure, a test of my physical strength and an opportunity to bond with some very special friends. There were 21 of us on this trip. It was a birthday wish of one of the 21 to make this his special gift, for himself and his friends. That’s the kind of generous guy he is. So, it was also a party, a crazy, hysterical party.
What helped make the trip so special was the rafting company that was selected for this birthday party, Beyond Limits Adventures. We got to know the owners of the operation, Mike and Bonnie Doyle and their youngest daughter, Mollie. What we observed was a team effort, family and staff working side-by-side to help give this vacation crew of 21 an experience of a lifetime. We’ve all agreed, it was beyond memorable.
A major benefit to this trip is that we had the entire camp to ourselves. After speaking to Mike Doyle he explained that the best time of the year to secure the camp for this type of group adventure is in the spring, before Memorial Day. Our trip was the second weekend in May, which explains why it was “our” camp for the weekend.
Which meant, river rafting was also exceptional. Rather that competing for river space with two to three hundred rafts on a typical summer outing, we probably experienced around 20 rafts. That’s a significant difference.
The setting was spectacular, including the campsite, which sits along the American River. The site came with its own friendly skunk, a beautiful golden lab, and geese and ducks. We felt as if we were a world apart from our city life and comforted in this amazing nature setting.
I should emphasize that though this was a camping trip, the accommodations are first class. Each couple or individual had their own tent, with sleeping bags placed on cots, cement flooring and decks with a river view. One of the exceptional units, called the Riverview Yurt, has a queen-sized bed, dresser, chairs and a deck overlooking the river. It’s pretty darn special.
There are also shower and indoor restrooms. So you’re really not roughing it as I recalled with previous camping trips. Again, this is a first class operation, including the meals.
Meals were prepared and served by the Beyond Limits’ staff. Without doubt, the meal selection and preparation were exceptional. This is also one of the few resorts that is licensed to serve alcohol, specifically wine and beer. Our team of 21 was happy that this was a camp option. It helped precipitate some great story and joke telling during dinner and around the campfire. My side still aches from laughing.
When I think back on that adventure, which I do frequently, I recall the three teams of river rafters (seven to each raft). I recall the water fights with squirt guns and paddles, the laughter and the thrill of taking on the river and all its interesting personalities. Some of the names of the sections of the river fit it well, including Satan’s Cesspool, Deadman’s Drop and Surprise.
With names and challenges that are fitting, we were glad to have experienced river guides who knew how to manage the river and the team of 21. Mike Doyle said he is grateful to his team, who gets along great and has years of experience. Doyle has been in the business for over 26 years. His lead river guides, Patrick Schmike, Jeff Hartmann and Ivan Twiff, have combined experience of over 46 years. And, the fact that they love their jobs makes it even more rewarding for Doyle who says that he’s pleased that he was able to turn a hobby in to a successful, recreational business.
I want to mention that Patrick Schmike, who was the river guide for our rafting team, was not only someone we came to trust and respect, we also enjoyed his sense of humor, story telling and knowledge about the river and camping community.
You can obviously tell that this wasn’t just any vacation. It was a life changing experience. We all have a greater appreciation for mother nature and all that she has to offer. We also have a greater understanding and appreciation for recreational businesses such as Beyond Limits Adventures.
The result of the trip was the fact that 21 friends came back to San Diego feeling more like family than ever before. And, now we all have “little secrets and stories and jokes” that, as they say, will stay on the river.
For information on river rafting and Beyond Limits Adventures, visit www.rivertrip.com. |
