Meet Me at the River Raft and Kayak Passport Series

“I was  - enchanted—overwhelmed—with the beauty and grandeur of everything I saw. It lay just as nature had made it, with nothing to mar its virgin glory.”James Glover 1873, upon first seeing the Spokane River.

Things are a bit different now with 7 dams and countless signs of industry along the 111-mile Spokane River, but the beauty and grandeur still remain. And for that, we celebrate its existance every chance we get, never forgetting the importance it plays in this region.

This summer, your opportunity to celebrate is easier than ever, with the 2009 “Meet Me At the River Raft and Kayak Passport Series” presented by the Spokane River Forum.
Last July, the Spokane River Forum organized a rafting and paddling adventure covering the entire length of the Spokane River over two long weekends.  It was a great opporunity to get people excited about their river, and to raise awareness for issues related to recreation and the health and safety of the river.  This year, you have 21 opportunities to experience that.

Spokane River Forum offers

Meet Me at the River Raft and Kayak Expeditions

SPOKANE — This summer you can experience the wet, wild and scenic sides of the Spokane River as few have ever experienced it before. From June 6, to October 3, 2009, the public has 21 opportunities to kayak or raft different stretches of the river. You can travel the full length of the 111 mile long river, from North Idaho College to the confluence of the Upper Columbia.

The Spokane River Forum is hosting Meet Me at the River to introduce people to the wonders of this incredible local asset. Says Executive Director Andy Dunau with the Spokane River Forum, “People take care of what they know. What we found, though, is that this wonderful resource outside our back door is largely a mystery to folks.”

Last summer, the Forum decided to try to crack the mystery. Ninety-three people got their feet wet over two long weekends of raft and kayak trips in July. A few hearty souls traveled the entire distance. It changed lives.

Jeannette Murphy was one of those people. She joined every trip, leading her and her husband Jim to buy their own kayaks. It’s their new passion, right down to already upgrading their equipment.

Jeannette has her favorite parts, of course. She especially appreciated the five-mile stretch between Long Lake Dam and Little Falls Dam.

“That part of the river had a real secluded and wild feel to it,” Jeannette said. “We saw lots of critters, like an eagle and a heron. We loved that. We also enjoyed the Upriver Dam to SIRTI stretch where we watched a beaver pull down a branch right in front of us.”

With this year’s program, there is something for everyone. Family days, opportunities to paddle under the stars and camping are just some of the options. Special eco-tours are woven throughout. Volunteers from the Audubon Society, the Lands Council, natural resource agencies, tribes and others will act as tutors to help you understand our natural wonders and how they fit into this unique rural and urban landscape.

“We’re not interested in preaching to people or telling them how to act,” said Dunau. “It’s about having fun and learning the mysteries of this local treasure. And one thing we’re really proud of is you don’t need to know what you’re doing. We have equipment and expert instructors for those who need it. ”

The trips begin on June 6, 2009, and end for the season with an Indian summer kayak paddle on Oct. 3. For people looking to stay closer to home this summer, it’s the inexpensive way to have an adventure.

Tonilee Hanson, who is coordinating these events, encourages families, couples and people on their own to encourage other like-minded adventurers to come along.

“Most people didn’t know each other before the trip last year,” Hanson said. “By discovering the river together, they created great friendships and stories.”

The Spokane River Forum is a non-profit organization with a goal of bringing to the public timely, understandable, easy-to-access and consistent information about the river. In January the Forum presented a two-day conference to give scientists, government officials, environmental advocates and the general public a chance to discuss the latest developments in the efforts to enhance and protect the river. The Forum’s web site, publications, signs and other materials are all part of raising public awareness and devotion to the Spokane River.

This year’s Meet Me at the River program is made possible by grants from the Inland Northwest Community Foundation and the Bullitt Foundation. Partnerships with Spokane Parks and Recreation and the Northwest Whitewater Association have made it possible to secure equipment and guides. Volunteers from a host of organizations are coming forth to help out.

The Spokane River Forum’s website is where to go to get details and sign up for the Meet Me at the River float trips. Go to www.spokaneriver.net / meetmeattheriver Choose the section or sections of the 111 mile river you’d like to experience. By becoming a River Forum member for $20, the cost for each day of participation is only $10. Plan it right and you can float the whole river for $100.

For more information, call 509-535-7084 or e-mail info@spokaneriver.net .

Go to www.spokaneriver.net/ meetmeattheriver/email.html for the Meet Me at the River flyer.