ACE Adventure Blog

Great people having a great time
in the GREAT outdoors!

Tag >> Whitewater Rafting

I have been guiding now for 10 years and have had many memorable guests in my boat. However, one particular crew wandered into my boat and my life. You may have noted their names on the ACE blog before (New Jersey Likes Rafting?). We affectionately refer to them as the "Russian Girls" (they are actually from Kazakhstan). In no particular order, Naira, Alla and Yuliya (Julia) first came to ACE with a bunch of friends to do the New River, got addicted as people do and came back to do a whole weekend during Gauley Season.

They ended up staying four days, doing an Overnight, a Double Upper and a Marathon. I just happened to be river boarding on their third day on the river and they stopped and talked to me that day. Not thinking much of it, I got a good night's rest before the Marathon the next day.

I was trip leading that day and what appears before my eyes at 6 a.m. at check-in but the Russians. They wanted to be in my boat. Thinking to myself, three small women, oh yeah, and they can't swim very well, on a Marathon - this should be interesting.


alt

Lately, I have been overcome with the news.  This all began in December with the endless snow. I felt like Jack Nicholson in The Shining; all of the snow was driving me over the edge.  And that was topic one on everyone's mind.  Have you checked the weather?  When was the last time you checked the weather?

First of all, I am not Willard Scott.  Secondly, the only 100th birthday I celebrate will be my own.  Smuckers or not.  Why is everyone obsessed with milk and bread when it snows? I am concerned with Little Debbie cakes and Coronas.  Obviously, my priorities took a U-turn.


After spending almost a decade at ACE Adventure Resort as a  
guide, I have recently transitioned to become the Director of Group  
Sales here at ACE.  This new position has afforded me the opportunity  
to reflect on the many experiences I've had here in beautiful  
southeastern West Virginia over the past 9 years.

When I moved here many moons ago, I was single and in college at  
Northern Arizona University.  I've always loved being around water  
and being active, so I thought that maybe working as a guide would be  
a good fit for me.  I never expected to be here nine years later  
married with two kids and a mortgage.


One of my favorite things in the world is people watching. That is why an airport is like a feast for the eyes.  It is sensory overload.

I returned from vacation recently, and this is the story.


I'm often asked by customers, "Who owns ACE?" and I smile because I remember when I was a customer asking that very same question.  Not sure why exactly I wondered, other than I couldn't believe I was having so much fun each and every time I went down the river.

As I described in an earlier blog, I was very impressed with everything I experienced as a customer.  Our guide, Leah, laughed when asked who was the genius that masterminded such a fantastic resort.  I was staring at her partly due to some of her previous stories, and that devilish laugh of hers, when she said there were three owners and then called "Forward!"

I wanted to know more about who made all of this stuff happen from the busses to all the activities. Who were these folks?


Gauley season is in full swing and it's a good time to remind family and friends why I will be unable to attend all weekend events for the next few weeks.

I'm usually the first in line for a wedding, football game (or tailgating at least), family picnic, or class reunion.  But I'm confident in saying that NONE of these activities can compete with running the rapids on the Gauley River.

Please don't be offended.  I love you all and miss you terribly, but you simply don't understand your competition.  Why spend a sunny afternoon in high heels and a dress when I could put on a splash top, P.F.D., and helmet?


I can't think of any better way to capture your trip memories than on video.  Now don't get me wrong, I always bought the pictures from our trips, but I also bought our DVD videos, too.

It was the videos that actually helped us through the long winter months as we endured that most painful time of what we call river withdrawals.  Each and every time we'd watch a video from one of our trips, we'd laugh and get all hyped up again as if we'd taken another trip only this time staying dry.


<< Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 Next > End >>

Latest Posts