River Currents Blog

River Currents is a blog open to many voices that have had a connection with the river and our trips. You’ll hear the voice of veteran river-runner and Holiday founder Dee Holladay, the voice of guides whose lives have been shaped by their time on the river, and guests who bring the perspectives that remind us why we’re still making these trips happen 45 plus years later. You’ll also hear from our regular blog contributors, Peta Owens-Liston, Joe Ballent, Derek Farr & Julie Trevelyan.

Category Archives: White Water Rafting in Utah

River Currents Blog: Falling in Love and Renewing Love While Keeping Your Head Above Water

Keeping Love Afloat By Peta Owens-Liston “A lot of the superficiality falls away, and you get to see the ‘real’ person and get to know each other much more quickly,” explains river trip guide Jen Davison, in regards to why people seem to fall in love, or absolutely not, on the river. She speaks from … Read more

River Currents Blog: Early Spring on the Colorado River

This blog post was originally published in June of 2009 just after John returned from his early season May Cataract Canyon trip.  As you begin to make your plans for the 2013 season, it’s a great reminder to consider the early season.  High water, fewer folks on the river, warm days and cooler nights.  The … Read more

River Healing and the Strength of Spirit

By Noel Gugliotta I had the incredible opportunity to be a guide for a touching trip that Holiday helps sponsor every year called Burn Camp. In partnership with the University of Utah Burn Center, Holiday River Expeditions escorts a group of teenagers that have experienced severe burns to their bodies on a 6- day trip … Read more

River Currents Blog: Profiles Brin Finnigan

“Hey, Susan!” I smile, already rolling my eyes; I know what’s coming next. “Quit playing with your dinghy!!” Meet Brin Finnigan, everyone. Company leader, expert boatman, smart aleck. This is the rote greeting I receive every time I meet Brin and his group of rafts on Lake Powell at the end of their Cataract Canyon … Read more

River Currents Blog: Profiles Tim Gaylord

“Hello, this is Tim.” “Yeah, hi, Tim, this is Susan – ” “Wellll, not really. But leave a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.” Foiled again! I can hear him grinning through the recording as he imagines flustering another caller. Guiding for Holiday at age 19, leading trips at … Read more

River Currents Blog: New Series, The People behind the Scenes

Tune into the River Currents Blog tomorrow for the first in a series of personal profiles about the people who keep us all “Going with the Flow” at Holiday River Expeditions. Holiday River Expeditions has remarkably little turnover in its guide staff. Guides who have worked for ten, fifteen, twenty years continue to come back. … Read more

Inspiring Youth Groups with River Adventure

by Joe Ballent ~ Holiday River Expeditions Guide “Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit.” Edward Abbey, champion of the American Southwest, conveyed this and many other thoughts through his evocative writing. This quote embodies the heart and soul of Holiday River Expeditions. Every time I hear the words of … Read more

River Currents Blog ~ A Message from Founders Dee & Sue Holladay

The canyons we float and ride through have been here long before Holiday River Expeditions, but in our humblest way we are celebrating our 46th year of river running, hiking and just being in the presence of such grand places and people. It’s been interesting to observe the changes in ourselves, our company, our industry, … Read more

River Currents Blog ~ Wild and Scenic Green River

Originally posted in 2008, now June 2012 and the Green River has been listed as one of the top 10 Endangered rivers, #2 in fact. Please join us, Utah Rivers Council and America Rivers to help protect the Green River If you have taken a trip with us in the last four years on the … Read more

Wild Places & Renewal to the Human Spirit

A comment we’ve had on our rafting trips came from a guest from England, reinforcing ourcommitment to staying green, promoting the preservation of wild places, keeping our staff well trained and the equipment in perfect condition. “We came from the UK to spend 2 weeks in Utah. We spent a week in Zion and then … Read more