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Show questions and comparing prices on river stretches where they compete with each other. Just make sure the food is great and they are safe. I have spent so much money chasing my "river thing” all over the world, it's embarrassing. Luckily, you don't have to do what I have done, which is to purchase your own professional self-bailing raft with frame, canoes, inflatable kayaks, a driftboat, inflatable dinghy, and, oh yes, a sailboat to take up big rivers, float tubes ... well, let's just say my thing is-an illness, albeit a good one to have, in my view. It has allowed me to learn a lot and find the finest moments of peace I'll probably ever know—like floating down a river with my kids, staring up at the rocks and watching hawks circle overhead. What's my favorite river trip of all time? It's too hard to say, there have been so many great ones. : by the Flaming Gorge Dam, which almost went away a few weeks ago when a flood tube exploded a big leak during high runoff. It's been repaired and officials say the dam itself was never threatened. The big flows of the spring and early summer have made a few changes along the shore of the Green below the dam and that's good. It's what used to happen every year as it still does on the wild Yampa. Yet, the fact the dam is upstream allows trips to proceed all summer long because water flows are constant. The minimum run I'd recommend takes four days and it has a few thrills in some Class II and III rapids along the way. But, it's not something you need to worry about. My son made his first run through there when he was three. This portion of the Green is strictly controlled by the Interior Department. Private trips require permits and they are drawn from a‘lottery. This system allows enough camping spots along the river, so, even if all the commercial outfitters and a number of private trips are in the canyon at the same time, it's easy to feel alone. Everything brought in is hauled out, including human waste and even ashes from the firepan. The regulations have kept the area pristine. GATES OF LADORE But, after thrashing all over the globe and traveling along or fishing rivers on four continents, I am happy to report that the best family recreational raft trip I have ever enjoyed is in Utah less than three hours away. It's the Green River through the Gates of Ladore Canyon and across Dinosaur And, you do have choices on who can ‘National Monument. I'd classify the Yampa run, a wild tributary of the Green also in _ take you. At least five outfitters, including . Dinosaur Monument, as just as good, but _ Park City's Dinosaur River Expeditions, run low-water season is coming to the Yampa this section of river. It's not inexpensive, but, compared to the and trips cease after the first week of July. The Gates of Ladore run is as beautiful a amount of money I've blown running rivers stretch of smaller, yet floatable river as you over the years, it's almost free! As a baseline, not an endorsement of one can find in the lower 48 states. It's controlled outfitter over another—remember, you ask the questions and compare—here's what two of them charge and provide on a four-day trip: Dinosaur River Expeditions, 801-6498092, charges $560.00 for an adult, $380.00 for a child between 8 and 12 years old. That includes transport from Vernal, Utah to the put-in and all meals. You'll need your own sleeping bag, clothing and supplies like plenty, and I mean plenty of 100 percent DEET insect repellent for the deer fly attacks in some of the slack water stretches, sun block and so on. Dinosaur cooks good food and plenty of it. Hatch River Expeditions, Vernal, 1-800342-8243, is a long-time company on this runs...don't do it unless you have no other alternative—it's too rushed. The great attraction about the Ladore Canyon trip is the side hiking and the wildlife. You'll see deer and bighorn sheep everywhere. Eagles, hawks, falcons, kestrels and kites dart, swoop and soar above and through canyons. Other wildlife abounds— cougar, badgers, bear in higher elevations, numerous bird species, reptiles—name it. The wildflowers on some of the hikes are spectacular. There are waterfalls, creeks and streams and, if you have a fishing license, available in Vernal, there is some good fishing in some of the side creeks and even the river itself. You'll need your own gear. A part of the Green. They charge $590.00 for number five fly rod with a size 12 Adams dry an adult on their four-day Ladore run-with fly does the job on the best side creeks durtransport and all meals, but they have an ing summer at dusk. Each outfitter will regale you with stories attractive special going all summer: for every full-price rider, a second person may float for of all the great opportunities to see and learn one-half price. That reduces a two-adult trip about new things, so choose wisely. You'll by $295.00, making it even less money than hike to ancient petroglyphs and see where the kid's fare. Hatch also allows children as mountain men carved their initials in stone 150—170 years ago. young as six to go along. Both companies offer three-day continued page 10 Muna Wa se Bail ‘i EVERYTHING ELSE ee a rent ve aN He eee oo ow 2G __ letchen can produce, ‘so enjoy a small sampling of our favorit _ BREAKFAST — - way you like them, Omelettes, Blintzes, and other early morning del _ BURGERS Hand oe Listes flame broiled toperfection in a dazzling variety of preparatio os ER _ LATE ful line of Kosher S NIGHT GRILL Hungry iate? (open til2 am Fri & Sat) 3 cheese, Whitefish & Salsa, Roma & Onion, Ae hs Sy ies Ns UB MUCH MORE 1a, Angel Hair, Tortellini, Fettucine, Marinara, Meatballs, light quaking aspens lunches SILVER LAKE VILLAGE IN UPPER DEER VALLEY 3, Caesar, Chef, Mixed Green, 4 Bean, Spinach, Pasta, wild flowers twilight dinners CAM etl Park City, UT (801) 658-0999 fragrant pines from our mountain alpine deck rider $18.95 “Mountain Times” Dinner Special 3-course dinner with beverage now through October 1:30-2:30 Dinner es ee ———~ | Sunde S-oneh 11:00:00 : ¢ 2 5 JVd © SIWIL NIVINNOW en joy |
