White Water Rafting on the Rogue
My daughter and I ready to raft.
White Water Rafting Plan on getting wet and having an exciting time while riding the rapids on a raft. My daughter and I tried out white water rafting on the Rogue River. It was my daughter’s first time on white water, and my first time on a raft.
We chose Noah’s Rafting out of Ashland in southern Oregon. They’ve been in operation since 1974 and they offered pickup at your hotel. They offer several different trips on the Rogue and Klamath Rivers. I chose their introduction to whitewater rafting trip. Which provides lessons plus put us over some exciting rapids.
We were picked up right on time by two Eriks; the driver and the guide. The driver was a retired long haul truck driver, a very amiable fellow. I was continually amazed at how he maneuvered the van in and out of traffic while pulling the raft on a trailer. The guide was also very outgoing and friendly, sharing with us his 20 years of rafting experience.
Our Guide Erik
Once on the water, the guide talked to us about safety, describing different scenarios and how to react such as what to do if you fall out of the boat. We then learned about paddling through demonstrations and hands on training. Synchronization was the key. We were all supposed to paddle together. We got pretty good on the flat river, but once into the rapids, our synchronization was way off.
It was time to head down the river. As we moved along, he described the rapids we would be encountering. The rapids are ranked based on difficulty on a classification scale of I-VI; I being mellow and VI being unrunnable (as he described it only those with a death wish would try). Our trip would include class I-IV rapids.
Class IV rapids.
The guide did most of the paddling. We went through a couple of mellow rapid sections before getting to a class III, which we paddled through. A few more mellow sections, then we got to a class IV. It was here we were required to wear our helmets. We were asked to paddle getting into the rapid, and then we just hung on while the guide got us through the biggest part of the rapids. Yee Haw! Being flexible, the raft rode the water like a bucking bronco. It was a little scary seeing the drop you were about to go over, but you were into it so fast, you didn’t have time to get really scared. We all came out smiling.
A short distance later, we pulled out of the water for our snack break. The food was great! The driver has set everything up while we were on the river. The spread consisted of fresh vegetables; hummus, spinach dip, chips, toast and homemade cookies along with water, lemonade and iced tea.
As we were eating, another raft came through the same class IV rapids we just made it through. They weren’t so lucky. The raft got turned sideways and two people rolled out of the raft. They shot down the river, showing the sheer power of the water. Our guide told us earlier that rafting is fun and exciting, but it’s not Disneyland. It must be taken seriously, proven by what we just witnessed.
Back on the water, we went through a couple of mellow rapids, then another class IV. All too soon, our ride was over. We pulled out of the water and were driven back to our hotel. Our guide described Noah’s all day trip on the Klamath as having much more exciting rapids. We are definitely planning on that trip for next year.
I would highly recommend Noah’s for your river adventures. If you go, be sure to ask for Erik for your guide.
1. Trains – The Brooks Railroad Depot offers displays showing the power of trains and how they advanced shipping of goods. The Oregon Electric Railway Museum shows off most everything related to electric street cars and buses including an operating streetcar which travels through the community. The Pacific Northwest Chapter of Railway Historical Society has a collection of railroad cars, locomotives and railroading memorabilia. Don’t forget model railroading. The goal of the Willamette Valley Model Railroad Club is to build a replica train station with an operating railroad to show the history of transportation and agriculture in Oregon.
2. Cars, Trucks and Motorcycles – The Northwest Vintage Car and Motorcycle Museum aims to educate the community about automobiles and motorcycles over twenty-five years old. They currently have a rare Kaiser automobile along with many other vintage cars. The Pacific Northwest Truck Museum houses about 75 restored trucks dating as far back as 1900.
3. Fire trucks – As well as many restored fire trucks, the Oregon Fire Museum also offers educational tours. Pictured here is a steam powered fire truck.
5. Tractors – The largest museum is the Antique Caterpillar and Machinery Museum. It’s reputed to be the only museum of its kind in the world. Along with the displays, they offer educational videos, guided tours and a gift shop for all you tractor lovers.
6. Engines – If you are just into big engines, don’t miss the Large Engine Building. See the first engine that powered Timberline Lodge Ski Resort or the engine that still operates after having pumped water for 50 years. Most of these old engines still operate. Each offers a lesson in history. 
8. Steam Sawmill – With no electricity, sawmills used to operate using steam power. During events, see live demonstrations.
In 1975 a group of railroad enthusiasts decided to build a large scale model railroad. Big enough that you can actually sit on it and go for a ride. They wanted to provide a historical account of what early steam and diesel railroading was all about. They started with just 600 feet of track on the site of 
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