Sometimes, it’s all about speed. We’re short on time, but long on longing for adventure. We have a finite number of hours to fill, but by golly, we want those hours filled to the brim. Life is short, let’s see as much as we can. Don’t have 25 days to devote to the Grand Canyon? You can zip through it in one week. Now, we’re not absolutely knocking motor river rafting trips. Life is full, people are busy, and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities sometimes come with tight time frames. For that reason, a motor trip can fulfill your needs. But for what we think is the deepest, richest, most relaxing river raft vacation you can choose, we love river rafting powered by oars. Why? See below for our top five reasons.
1) Experience a river canyon at the pace it was meant to be experienced.
1) Experience a river canyon at the pace it was meant to be experienced.
2) Savor the quiet.
2) Savor the quiet.Jet boats are loud. Really. In a canyon, their sound echoes and amplifies the noise even more. When a raft bobs along with only the sounds of paddles slicing through the water and laughter bouncing off the rock walls, it’s simply a more serene experience.
3) Go on a hike.
3) Go on a hike.
4) Sneak up on the local wildlife rather than scare them away with motor sounds.
4) Sneak up on the local wildlife rather than scare them away with motor sounds.Most animals tend to scatter when they hear unmistakable sounds of humans nearby. A loud motor is a pretty surefire way to chase off those bighorn sheep, river otters, swooping blue herons. But cruising downstream in a raft the old-fashioned way means a less invasive approach, which means animals in or near the river are more likely to stay put. This is definitely how memories are made.
5) You earn those views.
5) You earn those views.Human-powered paddling makes you sweat a bit, right? That means you’re earning this trip! Paddling raises your happy endorphins, and—bonus!—you can slip into the river for a cooling dunk after you and your companions exert those muscles. Somehow, the sights and sounds are that much sweeter when you’ve worked for them.
Written by Julie Trevelyan.
Julie is a freelance writer and wilderness guide in southern Utah. She especially enjoys books, coffee, yoga, wild country, horses, and dark chocolate.
See more of her work at www.wildgirlwriting.com