Great Expectations:
(Or, What Dreams Will Come on a Typical Adventure Vacation)

By Ken Streater

As you approach the first big rapid of the day, you hear the roar. Salmon Falls is a five-foot wave drop around car-sized rocks, and now you and your family drift toward the edge.
"Easy forward," your guide requests, as you paddle to gather momentum.
The boat surges forward. Everyone paddles together to power the raft onto the blue tongue of water that will take you to the center of the foaming froth below.
"Okay, team, here we go! Left turn!" the guide yells. The boat then spins to face dead ahead into the roller coaster maelstrom. "Looks like fun! Let’s run the drop. Forward hard!"

The raft speeds into and over several waves. Paddles fly. People whoop and holler, as you bounce up and over and through the heart of Salmon Falls. After gracefully moving through walls of white and mountains of waves you emerge, soaking wet and elated. You pat the backs of your family members and new friends, as your paddle raft team celebrates a successful run through an unbelievably fun rapid.
"We did it," you quietly whisper to yourself.

Running rapids, galloping on horseback, riding through a herd of water buffalo in an open air jeep, or looking down, down, down at the specks of people as your hot air balloon goes up, up, up, are all great examples of what you can expect from an adventure travel vacation. But there is even more! Solid planning and expertise are hallmarks of adventure travel that make these dramatic ‘highs’ possible. Exceptionally knowledgable guides, great food, stunning and peaceful outdoor settings, and hassle-free logistics are just a few of the basic features your adventure travel vacation is likely to include and ones we’ve chosen to highlight for you below.
Experienced, knowledgeable, and friendly guides are an essential part of adventure vacations. These women and men love what they do and are excited and eager to share their passion with you, their guests. Most adventure guides have years of experience leading trips or are paired with those who have led such trips in the past. In addition to technical expertise, guides have a wealth of knowledge about the regions in which they work. As a result, on adventure trips you learn much about the flora, fauna, natural history, and culture that surround you. On family trips, guides often have in their repertoire games, information sheets, books, and more specifically designed for children. The entire family learns first-hand from these skilled, accessible trip leaders, who present a wide range of information and gladly answer all of your questions.

Guides are also equipped to handle medical concerns or emergencies in the field. Virtually every professional adventure guide has certifications in First-Aid and CPR, and many have trained specifically for wilderness or emergency medical situations. Though rare, should a medical problem arise on your trip, you and your children should feel comfortable knowing that your guides are capable of effectively dealing with whatever comes their way.

Finally, adventure travel guides are resourceful and friendly. Whether they help you set up your tent, assist you in getting on and off a horse, or explain why moss grows on the north side of trees, you can feel confident that your guide genuinely enjoys being of assistance. Each guide wants you to appreciate where you are and what you are doing as much as he or she does. It is in the guide’s best interest to do so. Guides love their work and want to continue in their chosen field. They want you to come back again and again!

Fantastic food is another feature of adventure travel that is often an unexpected pleasure. Outfitters have long prided themselves on presenting healthy and filling meals with a flair. There is nothing quite like sitting around a campfire on a starry night and sinking your teeth into a deep dish of Dutch-oven lasagna or a juicy piece of barbecued boneless breast of teriyaki chicken. Accompanied by a fresh green salad and garlic bread, the evening meal is likely to be capped with a delicious piece of cake, also direct from the Dutch oven.

On most adventure trips, guides often take transportation which enables them to carry lots of food in ice chests and other containers that assure freshness. For example, rafts on a multi-day river trip typically carry thousands of pounds of food in large ice chests. On some trips cooks are part of the crew, while on others, the guides double as master chefs. Regardless of who cooks, you will be able to eat to your stomach’s content. Furthermore, most outfitters will customize meals to meet any dietary requests or needs you or your children may have.
Many people choose an adventure vacation based on the activities involved. This is an excellent way to decide which tour to take. Whether you choose a horsepacking trip, wildlife safari, wilderness river journey, or other type of adventure, activity is often the focal point of the trip, with the setting a secondary concern or interest. But the truth is no matter what tour you choose, you will be surprised at just how spectacular your surroundings are. From deep, dramatic river canyons to cloud-touching, razor back ridges, the wilderness settings of most adventure trips provide plenty of reasons in and of themselves for a vacation. These awe-inspiring spots promote relaxation, reverie, and the ability to recharge. You will be amazed at the amount of opportunities your children have to explore. Combine that with the fun and rewarding activitiy you chose in the first place and you will likely look back on your adventure vacation as the best you’ve ever had.

Last, but not least, outfitters pride themselves on creating trips that allow you to have few or no concerns other than enjoyment. Typically, once you meet your guides at the rendezvous, meals, transportation, accommodations, and more are taken care of. Before the family described above, for example, reached the brink of Salmon Falls, they had received in the mail a thorough pre-trip package of information, which included a comprehensive packing list and suggestions on how to prepare for the trip. They also had help arranging transportation to the rendezvous. Once met by their guides at the rendezvous, they were driven to the river, given a complete safety and instructional presentation, and helped with the packing of their waterproof bags. On the river, each day, every family member was made to feel welcome and comfortable, fed expansive, healthy meals, and given ideas of what to look for in terms of interesting flora and fauna, and so on. At the end of the trip, the shuttle vehicle took them where they needed to go.

An outfitter’s careful preparation and smooth operation of a trip often make families wish their vacations never end. Not having to ponder what needs to be done while on a holiday allows you to let go of worries and clear your mind. Caring guides, great meals, wonderful wilderness, and hassle-free logistics result in great family vacations that leave you with the feeling that your next adventure trip can’t come soon enough!