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Skilled
guides take White Water Warehouse guests through the
exciting Blossom Bar section of the wild and scenic
Rogue River.
Photos courtesy Richard Spray
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White
Water Warehouse
The
company is headquartered in Corvallis, but don't be
confused. All the excitement and enjoyment takes place
on the wild and scenic Rogue River in Southern Oregon.
Owners/Operators:
Bob Meister and Joy Henkle; Joyce "Renee"
and Bill Hays
Trips:
- Three trips a week from later May through early
October
- Up to 20 people per trip
- Camp trips run Saturdays through Mondays; Sundays
through Tuesdays
- Lodge trips run Wednesdays through Saturdays
Contact
Information
Phone: 541-758-3150
Toll free: 1-800-214-0579
Fax: 541-757-0479
Click
here to E-mail
Click
here for the Web Site
Lodging
on Your Way to the Rogue River
Click
here for Southern Oregon lodging
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Wild
and Scenic Rogue provides perfect setting for exciting rafting experience
White Water
Warehouse's 3- and 4-day trips make the ride unique for everyone
By
DAN SHRYOCK
Oregon.com
Imagine a vacation
where teen-agers find excitement and action while parents choose a less
strenuous idea. Imagine being able to spend a vacation together while enjoying
different experiences.
And then imagine spending time together doing it all.
Sound impossible? It's reality on the wild and scenic Rogue River, thanks
to White Water Warehouse.
White Water Warehouse, or "WWW" as the owner/operators like to call it,
provides three- and four-day rafting trips down the wild and scenic section
of Southern Oregon's Rogue River. Three-day excursions feature the river
by day and lodging accommodations by night. Four-day trips include camping
by the river's side.
Both offer the same amount of water time and the same overall river experience.
And if my conversation with owners (and twin sisters) Renee Hays and Joy
Henkle is any indication, there will be plenty of laughs as well. These
two enjoy what they do and, along with their husbands - Bill Hays and Bob
Meister, are dedicated to making sure their customers enjoy the river experience
as well.
"This is our niche," Joy says. "We only go down the wild and scenic portion
of the Rogue (River).
"It's the perfect family vacation because you each have your space but you're
all doing it together."
How can that be? Joy and Renee explain that several boats take part in each
trip. Mom and Dad, for example, may choose to be on a larger group raft
while a teen-ager may choose to use a one-person inflatable kayak.
"At the end of the day, you've each been on the same river but you all have
had different experiences and different stories to tell," Renee says. "It's
a great way to be with a teen-ager and have that family time."
Dining on
the River
Whether on the
river or at a lodge, good food awaits you at each meal.
"We have organic foods that we grow in our own gardens," Joy says. "We cook
Oregon salmon and other food we pack in. These are definitely high-end meals.
We even offer Oregon wines."
"It's like going on a cruise," Renee adds. "We take care of you. You don't
have to worry about anything. We have the food, beverages, equipment, lodging
and shuttle."
For those seeking a soft bed at night, WWW has business partnerships with
lodges along the Rogue. This gives river riders the option of luxury over
classic camping at night. Dinner menus are controlled by each lodge.
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A
raft enters the Blossom Bar area of the Rogue River.
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The Famous
Rogue Whitewater
The star of
this experience is the Rogue River itself, with is variety of rushing currents
and calm pools. Joy is quick to point out there's nothing to fear on the
ride.
For starters, everyone receives safety training before hitting the water.
Then, trained guides keep close watch to maker sure everyone is enjoying
the river in a safe manner.
"The Rogue is not a Class 5 river," she says noting that a "Class 5" rapid
is the most difficult. "You're going to experience Class 2 or 3 (rapids)
right away. That's when we see how you're doing. Our guides then determine
where to best place you based on your abilities."
"This is a 'pool and drop' river," Renee explains. "There's a rapid and
then there's quiet time - another rapid and then more quiet time."
"It's our roller coaster ride," Joy says. "You can hear the whitewater and
you don't know what's going to happen until you see it.
"We only have one "5" and we go around that. Even our guides will go around
it," she adds. "Our Class 4s happen at the end of the trip. Everyone knows
how to handle the raft or kayak before they get there."
Watching Nature
When not watching
the water there's plenty of other sights to see, especially the wildlife.
The sisters quickly recall the area's inhabitants - bear, otter, heron,
river fowl, deer and even bald eagles.
"That's part of the experience, too," Joy says. "It's a safari on the water.
You're getting a lot of history and nature information as you go. You see
bears that come down to eat salmon. Bald eagles and osprey catching fish,
fighting over a fish in mid air.
"It's Disneyland without standing in line."
"This is all protected land," Renee says. "When you go through Blossom Bar
and Mule Creek Canyon, you'll never forget it."
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