Grade Level and Added Adventures

Definitely [consider] how adrenaline-packed the expedition is. I look for river rafting on Grade III and IV rapids, along with whatever high octane adventures I can do alongside, such as zip-lining, mountain biking, and climbing.

Difficulty, Location, and Scenery

I like to switch it up, so I’ll consider the difficulty of the rafting as well as the views of the location. If I recently did some intense white water rafting, I’ll likely choose a calmer river for my next trip. I’ll also try to pick new places to try or at least places with different scenery than my most recent trips. This gives me an excuse to travel more and visit new places.

Seek Out Reputable Companies

Outdoor activities can seem a bit daunting if you’re not familiar with them, but water rafting is a fun way to get started. The best way to get started is to find a reputable company that offers beginner-level rafting tours.

The guides will give you all the necessary instructions and safety gear, so you don’t have to worry about anything. They’ll also provide transportation to and from the river, so all you have to do is show up and have fun. Just make sure you dress appropriately for the weather and water conditions. The guide will also go over this with you, so you are prepared to hit the water.

Research and Prepare Well for Your Adventure

If you have never been white water rafting, a thorough internet search is a good place to start. Look for reputable companies with a variety of options from beginner-friendly one-day rafting trips to multi-day rafting trips such as the Green River Gates of Lodore or Yampa River through Dinosaur National Monument – both good introductory trips for first-timers with exciting whitewater.

A local family-owned company is another good bet. They have first-hand knowledge of the area, are in touch with the entire guide staff, and quite often, a manager or owner will be on your trip. Talk with friends, family members, coworkers. Find out what type of experiences they have had with guided river trips. They may direct you to a company that they had a fabulous experience with.

Definitely ask questions of the outfitter, read the pre-trip literature they provide and follow their suggested pack list. You do not want to be out on the river for a day or four days without gear that will make your trip successful and more comfortable.

Another suggestion is to research what is available where you think you may want to go rafting. Find out what other activities are available and extend your vacation to see and do more than just the rafting trip.

Explore Attractions Closer to Home for Now

As a travel blogger and beach aficionado, the pandemic really took a toll on the activities we outdoors adventurers loved. Because of this, I want to take advantage of the fact that things are slowly starting to revert back to how they were.

To re-engage myself with the outdoors and explore, I plan to partake in a lot of camping this spring and summer. I want to book campsites close to home, but also in other states. I am still not quite ready to jump on a plane and go to other countries, but I feel safe and excited to explore my country and the little attractions each city has to offer. This will at least satisfy my need for the outside and adventure until I travel again.

Avoid Crowded Places and Observe Social Distancing

My preferred outdoor activity is running and hanging out at parks. I’m re-engaging by, most importantly, prioritizing my safety and that of other people. That is by avoiding crowds, poorly ventilated events, and observing social distance or wearing a mask around people I don’t live with, especially when enjoying parks and taking idle strolls outside. The aim is to enjoy safely; thus, I’ve gotten the vaccine jab, and maintain high hygiene levels such as always carrying a hand sanitizer, checking my temperature, and getting tested to avoid unknowingly spreading the virus.

First Aid and Job-Related Training

The most common type of training that any outdoor activity guide must go through is first aid. The exact type of first aid training can vary, but a wilderness first responder course is pretty standard.

This course gives you essential life-saving skills that can be used in the field. You learn how to dress a wound, perform CPR, deal with a spinal injury, and many other skills that can prove to be crucial in an emergency.

Other types of training will be a more likely job or activity-specific. For example, ski and snowboard instructors need to go through a course that highlights the essential skills and practices involved with learning the basics of those sports.

Instructors almost always need to have a certification of this training to get a job, and it ensures that they have the skills to help others learn how to ski or snowboard effectively.

Aside from first aid and certifications, I think experience in the outdoor activity a guide works in is equally as important as any training.

Activity Type Determines Training

The type of training might depend on the kind of activity and the location. One example is the guides for climbing, which have a more advanced level of training and knowledge because safety is paramount.

Climbing guides must understand rock formations and weather patterns in addition to the athletic ability it takes to climb. Guides who lead children or less physically adept adults tend to have less training, but they need an understanding of emergency procedures such as first aid to assist if something goes wrong.

Outdoors guides who lead more sedentary activities have some of the least amount of training. However, they still need knowledge about the activity itself and how to be aware of possible hazards.

In the case of climbing guides, they would likely have to be trained in handling ropes and equipment, such as carabiners and safety harnesses. They also need climbing experience to know what skills are necessary for different types of climbs.

The Most Preferred Certifications

Other than the usual customer service skills such as public speaking and the ability to handle stressful situations, outdoor activity guides are required to have different certifications and licenses such as a first aid certification, the wilderness first responder certification, and wilderness first aid certification. While the certifications differ based on each job, these three are the ones that most jobs require or prefer.

Top 6 Haunted Outdoor Attractions

The thrill and excitement of being scared is a feeling we can’t resist, which is why every year people flock to these destinations. With the global pandemic limiting travel, many are looking for an in-state escape, which could explain why searches for “haunted places to visit near me” have increased by 180%.”

1. The Goatman Bridge / Old Alton Bridge

Goatman’s Bridge is a historic truss bridge connecting the Texas cities Denton and Copper Canyon. According to legend, the bridge is said to be haunted by a demonic half-man half-goat figure called Goatman. The Goatman will meet you if you cross the bridge at night without headlights, according to locals. Visitors who dared to cross the bridge have reported being touched, grabbed, and even having rocks thrown at them.

2. The Mothman of West Virginia / The Silver Bridge

On November 12, 1966, in Clendenin, West Virginia, there were reports of something strange in the area described as a “large flying man with ten-foot wings and glowing red eyes.” This figure would become known as the Mothman. After the Silver Bridge collapsed and killed 46 people, many conspiracy theorists linked the collapse with the Mothman. Since 2002, Point Pleasant has fully embraced its famous, spooky resident with an annual Mothman Festival and a 12-foot metallic statue and museum for tourists to visit.

3. New Orleans

Some might consider New Orleans the party city of the United States, but many flock to the Big Easy every year to immerse themselves in the US’s most haunted city. The city has a rich history and is known for its witchcraft and voodoo culture. Whether you choose to explore the French Quarter after dark or St Louis Cemetery, be careful after dark as the spirits of Madame LaLaurie or the Axeman just might come to say a not-so-friendly hello.

4. Area 51

Whether you believe in the paranormal [or not], visitors can’t deny the eerie feeling when they visit Area 51. Area 51 is a classified United States Air Force facility located within the Nevada Test and Training Range. The first reports of “unidentified flying objects” began in 1955 and have not stopped since. Warning signs, electronic surveillance, and armed guards keep the general population at bay, adding to the alien conspiracy claims.

5. Hoia-Baciu Forest

Interest in ghosts and ghouls has been rising, with ghost tourism being a popular activity in Bucharest. The capital of Romania is a booming horror hotspot known for its ghost sightings. Hoia-Baciu Forest is considered to be one of the most haunted forests in the world. Visitors have reported hearing voices, unexpected lights, skin burns, headaches, anxiety, or even fainting. Many consider Hoia-Bacui to be tormented by spirits that are haunting the woods. What makes this forest so spooky is the circle of land where nothing grows.

6. Pluckley Village

Pluckley might seem like a quaint village nestled in Kent, but it is considered to be one of the most haunted villages in the UK, according to the Guinness World Records. A ghost walk exploring haunted spots including the Church of St. Nicholas, Greystones, and Rose Court will be sure to make the hairs at the back of your arms stick up!

Ghost Tree at Pescadero Point

Fall is the prime season to enjoy the spectacular views at California’s Pebble Beach Resorts. The morning fog of summer gives way to clear skies along the California coastline. Not only can guests soak up those vistas from one of the resort’s legendary golf courses, but if they can bear to step away from the greens, they’ll find one of the most scenic drives in the world right at their doorstep.

For those drawn to autumn ghost stories, Ghost Tree at Pescadero Point is a must-visit. These pale, ghostly trees clustered along the coast at Pescadero Point evoke images of ghosts [with] their eerie, unusual appearance. There is a long-standing tale surrounding the most famous Ghost Tree on the Pebble Beach coast. Many drivers on the route claim to have seen a woman’s image, the “Lady in Lace,” in the middle of the road on dark, foggy nights.

Bring a Quality Rain Jacket and Dry Clothing

A quality rain jacket

The first and most important item is a high-quality raincoat. Having a jacket that will not get you soaked right away will protect you from the rain and is essential for maintaining body heat. Most importantly, ensure that it is waterproof rather than just water-resistant.

Dry Clothing

The next most important thing you should bring is dry clothing for after you’ve finished rafting. You don’t want to have to make the trip back home in soaked clothes.

Avoid this:
Cotton Clothing

After learning the hard way, I’ve realized that avoiding cotton clothing is critical. It doesn’t dry well and it can make you shivering and embarrassed.

Wear Waterproof, not Water-Resistant

What I recommend is waterproof gear or a jacket. Most people get a hooded jacket that is merely water-resistant. In the rain, this will not make a difference. The same thing goes with plastic ponchos and wetsuits.

Waterproof rain gear is far better as water will never penetrate. As such, you will not get wet. You will stay dry and a bit warm inside and you can keep your gadgetries safe from water.

Be Specific About the Details

They all sound like brilliant people, so I’m confident they’ll be impressed with your thoughtful approach to getting them out in the sunshine.

1.) Be specific about what you want them to do. Don’t just say we’re going on an adventure or doing something outdoorsy.

• Where are you going?
• What are you doing?
• What time frame will it take place in? (e.g., can they bring their dog, will they need to get anything specific?)
• Who else will be coming along, and what’s the seating arrangement when they arrive?

2.) Bring sample pictures from Google Images so they can be more interested in the outdoor activity you are planning.

Look, Everybody’s Doing It!

To motivate people, you have to focus on what they value most in life. Some people may not care that hiking or some activity will make them feel better or get them in shape. As frustrating as it is, nowadays social media is valued highly by many people, so showing them a view or photo opportunity they could post on social media could be enough of a motivation to get that person up and moving. The hope is that once the person is participating, they’ll enjoy the activity enough that the other typical motivations for doing it (such as getting in shape) will take over and become dominant.

One other important note is that if you can garner some interest from the person for the activity, you have to make the barrier of entry as small as possible. This could be as simple as organizing the entire hike and being willing to drive to the spot. Whatever requires the least amount of effort by the other person is key to get them out there the first time.

Set the Scene

I use this way to ask them for a new outdoor activity that we didn’t try before or something that we don’t do a lot:

I usually start by planning to watch a movie about [the activity], fishing for example. If it’s not available, I use YouTube videos or Facebook videos. Then, I mention some advantages of this outdoor activity and relate it to my family and what we can learn from it. Most of the time, they will ask you to do it. If they don’t, you can ask them by saying, “We should try it” or something like that.

Offer Something They Love in Return for A Little Effort

It could be an out-of-the-way restaurant or cafe at the end of a countryside walk. A bottle of wine over a lakeside sunset. A sporting or cultural event taking place that involves a walk.

The key is to not make it all sound too strenuous and to combine the “getting outside” bit with something that will interest them and make the effort seem worthwhile. To make it fun and enjoyable from their perspective, not just from the outdoor enthusiast’s view.

To an outdoorsy type just being out there is enough, the destination is unimportant. For the layman, the end has to justify the means!

Carlisle Bay in Barbados

The beaches in Barbados provide some of the best places in the Caribbean for casual swimmers to see shipwrecks or underwater relics from wrecks.

Carlisle Bay in Barbados is a top Caribbean destination for scuba divers who flock to the numerous shipwrecks. For non-divers, the bay is a well-known and popular beach for sunbathing and cooling off in the beautiful water. What many travelers don’t realize is you can swim out from shore with just goggles and easily check out plenty of the wrecks. No dive experience or gear is needed! The wrecks are in shallow, crystal-clear water and easily visible from the surface. Many are just a few yards under the surface for swimmers to explore.

Don’t leave your goggles at the hotel when you go to other beaches on the island! Swimmers can stumble upon pieces of shipwrecks in waist-deep water in the areas surrounding dozens of the local beaches. Pop on your goggles when you’re swimming around and keep an eye out for intact canons or anchors that litter the rocky shallows, often mere feet from the shore!

Shipwreck in the Red Sea

The Red Sea in Egypt is a popular water adventure spot for tourists and divers. If you’re looking to explore the remains of The SS Thistlegorm shipwreck, which was a British cargo ship that sunk in 1941 after a German air attack, then Egypt is the place to go.

Russian River Falls

Just a one-hour drive from the City of Kenai, the largest and oldest city on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula, is the prospect of wild salmon leaping a waterfall right in front of you. Russian River Falls is a 5.1-mile trail good for all skill levels.

The best time to go is April-October, when you can catch thousands of sockeye salmon attempting to leap the falls to reach spawning grounds upstream. You can also catch a plethora of other wildlife, including bears, harlequin ducks, eagles, moose, and more!

3 Simple Questions

When someone is comparing kayaking and water rafting, I always ask them three simple questions to narrow down their decision.

• How adventurous are they feeling?
• How many people are they planning on going with?
• How well do they work in a team?

With these three questions, they almost always make the right decision. If they are adventurous, they choose kayaks, and if they are going with a large group, they choose rafts. Every once in a while, you will get someone in a group who is adventurous and doesn’t work well in a team. They always choose kayaks.

Know Your Abilities

Kayaking is often done on lakes and calmer rivers. Kayaking is often the best place to start. You have control over your vessel and will be in water you can handle.

River rafting, while it can be a calm float down a river, more often includes some rapids. Often, river rafting is done in a group on a shared raft. If considering river rafting, how comfortable are you with the possibility of falling out? Can you swim well? Will you be rattled if you fall out? Lastly, you must determine the severity of the rapids on the river. What level is it, and can you handle it? I am experienced, and a level 3 is enough for me and might be too much for a beginner.

Alone or with friends?

There isn’t much of a difference between the two activities because they both require muscle work. However, one involves teamwork, whereas the other involves solo paddling.

If you enjoy spending time with your friends and working together to achieve a goal, then water rafting is the activity for you. However, if you enjoy working alone, accomplishing things on your own, and having your own time, kayaking is the activity for you.

Otherwise, there isn’t much of a difference between the two. They both have similar benefits and are enjoyable outdoor activities.

Are You Seeking Adventure?

If you like to take it easy, then flatwater kayaking is the perfect choice for you because the water is calm, and you are in control of things like speed on the water. If you prefer a bit of adventure, then rafting is the optimal choice for you.

I think rafts are slightly harder to control, and they tend to be used on fast-moving water, which makes each time rafting an exciting, new experience. Of course, keep in mind that rafting isn’t really a solo activity. If you’re on your own, then you’ll need to stick with kayaking. Just keep in mind that you can spice up your kayaking adventures by taking the kayak out on faster moving waterways.

Plan Ahead

Before exploring white river rafting, contact the adventure company to check what the person with disabilities can and cannot do. Know that white river rafting is possible for individuals with a wide range of disabilities. Call the company ahead of booking the trip so that they can accommodate your needs perfectly.

Important information to keep in mind:

All Rafters must pass the float test while wearing a life jacket.

The adventure company will be able to advise disabled individuals on the degree of difficulty they should begin with.

If the individual is on any medications, they must ensure that they have their medication with them while they are on the water.

Rafting Is Risky

I think all you have to do is to enjoy and don’t forget to bring protective gear and also your medical maintenance if in case of emergency.

Rafting, even with a reputable company, is inherently dangerous. Accidents happen, so make sure you listen during the safety briefs and make sure your 14-year-old understands that people have died doing exactly what you all are doing. It’s not a scare tactic, it’s just real talk. Southern West Virginia whitewater is legit.