August 20th, 2012
Whitewater Rafting, Rocky Mountain Adventures, Fort Collins, Cache la Poudre River, The Pigeon Express, Photography, Adam, the Guide to take you through the rapids, Colorado
I am back at the Delaware Beaches, but I am remembering that last week I was getting ready for an experience; whitewater rafting. For all of you that go to Colorado on vacation, please keep this post in mind because the company we dealt with was very professional. If you would like to experience the outdoors, Rocky Mountain Adventures is the company to call. It is a full service store. Trips are offered all through Colorado; even overnight trips.
Rocky Mountain Adventures is located at 1117 N. Highway 287, Fort Collins, CO 80522. Tel. 800-858-6808 or 303-493-4005. Website? http://www.shoprma.com.
We were driving to Fort Collins from Golden where my friend, Cindi, and I were staying with my longtime friend, Marisa and her husband, Dave, on Lookout Mountain. I think the trip took about 2 hours. I had no idea what to expect. Ignorance is bliss, at times.
The first thing I noticed on the building was a sign that said Home of Pigeon Express. I figured it was a name for a FeDex office or delivery business. Put it out of my mind since we needed to check in with Rocky Mountain Express. It seemed there were about 23 people that were going to be divided into 4 rafts, for an afternoon of whitewater rafting.
Instructions were to be given, but first you needed to have proper shoes. My friend, Cindi, decided to rent one of their booties. Then, a meeting outside to go over all the precautions, warnings, proper use of life jacket, paddles, etc. etc. All I kept thinking was that I did not want to turn over and be under the raft.
From the corner of my eye, I saw a real pigeon. I said to Cindi; remind me to take a picture or to find out what the heck is going on with the pigeons. Nobody said anything about them.
Off we went on buses with the self bailing rafts in the back. It took some time to get to where we were going to start our adventure.
The Cache la Poudre River is Colorado’s first and only designated National Wild and Scenic River. The rafting takes place in a pristine and protected environment. On this particular trip, we saw the damage done by the fires a few months ago. The river had ash in it. The trout is just coming back.
I wish I had had my camera to take the first pictures of our guide, Adam. You should have seen his face. It said it all; it was going to be a challenging day. And, I am sure he was not thinking about the rapids. We were novices, what can I say? Some said they had done this or that but we were beginners in all of this.
After definite instruction in paddling, etc. etc. I remembered how to paddle, I went to summer camps and canoed till I dropped more than a few years ago. Anyway, off we went down the river with Adam. Even though he had no confidence in us at the beginning, I decided to follow his lead and do whatever he told me to do; we all felt the same way. Survival? You got it!
Adam was an awesome guide. He shouted directions, relaxed, shouted again and we did it. I think he was surprised and proud too. We did excel, and became quite a crew.
Adam was also very good in explaining the vegetation, the trees and had plenty of information on the damage done by the fires. He was also pretty funny, taking the magazine out as pictures were taken. Then, he was all business again.
It was exhilarating, beautiful, and peaceful at the same time. There were some crazy moments, but we survived them.
When we reached our destination, Adam, proceeded to tell us that he wanted us to experience what we had just gone through. We were to float with the rapids on our back. Is that so, I thought? Okay, we were already so wet, anyway. There was a hesitation, just a bit, then, we followed him. The current took us down the river floating; then, we kicked and got to the side of the river. All soaking wet and the only guide that asked its crew to do this.
Adam and the other guides were very friendly and love the outdoors. Adam Alter is from San Diego. He also is a snowboarding instructor. I will let you know where he will be this winter in case you need someone like him.
On the ride back we had watermelon, and chatted with everyone. We all had a great time.
We wanted to have pictures taken with Adam, so here he is with us.
I had to laugh because as we were going down the rapids; so wet, I remember my friend Marisa telling me to take my camera……when was I supposed to be taking pictures?
And….what is the Pigeon Express?
I thought he was kidding. I asked Adam, what is going on with the pigeons next door? The pigeons work for Rocky Mountain Adventures!! This is a photography program using homing pigeons. Using Lycra backpacks, the pigeons fly the film of the rafting tours, on the Cache La Poudre River, back to their outpost in Fort Collins. They usually travel 20 to 40 miles.
When the pigeons are released in the Poudre Canyon, they “home” in on their loft and fly back in about 20 minutes. That’s why the pictures on the river are ready when you get back.
The pigeons are reliable; fun and really hard workers. They have been raised by the staff, are friendly and like to be close to home. Isn’t that incredible?
Here is Adam holding one of them.
And, here is their loft.
Thanks, Adam….it was so much fun…the rafting, the pigeons, and most of all…meeting you!!
Tags: activities in Colorado, Adam Alter, Fort Collins' whitewater rafting, homing pigeons in Fort Collins, Rocky Mountain Adventures, The Cache la Poudre River, The Pigeon Express, The Pigeon Express Photography, What to do in Colorado, what to do in Fort Collins, whitewater rafting in Colorado, whitewater rafting in the Cache la Poudre River
