New Mexico River Adventures

By: Seth Smith After days of endless gloomy skies and rain, the clouds parted and the sun came out to shine. It was almost as if the powers above knew that it was about time for the 62nd annual Mothers Day Race to begin! I walked swiftly back to my hut in the staff campground behind New Mexico River Adventures to get my boating gear on. In my hut, I slid into a cool wet suit that was still a little damp from the previous use, slipped on my wool socks and sandals, put chums on my eyeglasses, and grabbed my synthetic shorts and hoodie. Back at the boatyard, we had already picked out our boat for the race, an NRS Osprey, it was all loaded on the trailer, river ready. My team was supposed to consist of three other staff members from NMRA, Jacob, Tony, and Auston. Ten minutes before leaving for the race we realized none of us had seen or heard from Auston the entire day.  In a frantic panic, we called his phone and found out that he was sick and sleeping in his van, unable to compete in the race.  We scrambled around the boatyard […]

Everyone loves to have fun right? It’s a way we bring happiness into our lives. It’s a good thing. However, some fun things are a little more expensive than others; like a cruise, for example. But, having fun does not have to be expensive. There are many ways you can have fun without breaking the bank. And today, we want to show you one of those ways. We are going to be showing you why a Rio Grande rafting trip is better than a cruise. Time Limits! While a cruise is a fun first-time experience, the truth is that if you want to see spend more time in the place you arrive at, you won’t get the chance to. Most cruise ships port for about 10 hours, which is barely enough time to get off, get some food, maybe buy a souvenir and get back on. With a Rio Grande rafting trip, however, you’ll have plenty of time, before or after the trip, to go exploring the surrounding areas. So, when it comes to time limits, a ride down the Rio Grande has the upper hand. Not on time? You’re left behind! If you’ve gone on a cruise a few times, […]

For each state in the US, there are always some kind of “hidden secrets” that most people don’t know about. New Mexico is no different. Now, if you are a native to New Mexico, you may know more than the average person, however, chances are, there are still some things you’ve never heard of. Today, we are going to unmask some of the top hidden secrets of New Mexico. So, with that, read on and become an honorary New Mexico Local. Gilman Tunnels. First up is the Gilman Tunnels. Located in the Jemez Mountains of New Mexico, these tunnels are tucked away just above where the Guadalupe River flows. Named after William H. Gilman, the Gilman Tunnels were built in the 1920’s for the Santa Fe North Western Railroad to transport lumber and coal *through* the Guadalupe Box Canyon, rather than over it. And while these tunnels are hidden away from most eyes, the beautiful red-hue of the surrounding rocks never made it past the trained eyes of certain movie location scouts for movies such as “3:10 to Yuma” and “The Scorch Trials.” Earthships! One of the most trending things online right now for younger couples is having self-sustaining homes. […]

Every spring and summer, thousands of people flock to the popular rivers around the world to see the beauty, experience adventure and make memories with loved ones. And while most rivers have many commonalities like water, rapids and fun, they are all, each of them, unique. This year is special in that a lot of the rivers have more flow than usual, making them perfect for your  fun experience. That said, we are going to show you a list of rivers which we think is perfect for your 2019 river rafting Bucket list. With that, read on and enjoy! Rivers and Brews on the Rio Chama! Of course, when creating a bucket list, you have to include a bucket of beer. That’s why this trip is the perfect start to any bucket list. Not only do you experience the wonders of the Rio Chama, you get to experience it with an ice cold beer in hand. Now, while you won’t actually be going down the river with a mug of beer in your hand, your trip will be taking a small detour off the rapids to have a quick swig before getting back on the raft. Man, what an experience! […]

When you think of river rafting, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Adrenaline junkies, drowning, boring guides, or even the fact that every river is the same. These are just some of the “myths” we intend to cover in this article. Because while most people are aware of the myths surrounding river rafting, they somehow miss the truth, which, we all know is super important in order to properly enjoy your new river adventure. So, with that, read on and allow us to bring to light these myths. Myth 1: It’s only for “Adventurers” or “adrenaline junkies.” I’m sure you’ve seen those crazy videos, or pictures, of people sliding off waterfalls into the water below, or other crazy stunts. But, here’s the thing; not all river rafters are as crazy as the people in the videos you see. Some rafters like to take things slow and easy. Which is why there are trips like the “Gourmet Wine Pairing” trip, which is slow and steady, like sipping a glass of full-bodied red wine. Myth 2: You need to be a good swimmer. Of course, knowing how to swim is a plus when you are going down the rapids […]

Do you remember the last time you went camping, hiking, or mountain biking? Remember getting that feeling of excitement thinking “oh wow, this is super fun, I should get outdoors more often?” It’s true. Getting out of the office, out of the house, and back outdoors, out in nature, is addicting. It’s like a drug, but the good kind. Well, whitewater rafting is the same. It’s addicting. the wild rapids, the unexpected twists and turns, the screams of excitement. It’s thrilling! So, today, we are going to try and answer the age old question, “why is whitewater rafting so fun?” You ready for another adventure? Read on! It’s a Unique Experience. In life, and all around the world, there are thousands of unique opportunities to have fun. Traveling to another country, cliff diving, eating foreign cuisine, and many others. For whitewater rafting, it is the same. While it is not as popular as going to the beach or visiting a theme park, it still has a cult following, making it one of the most unique experiences you could try. Spending Quality Time with Loved Ones. We all know how busy life can get. And because of this, it’s always hard […]

Most people know how much fun White water rafting can be, but, truth be told, that’s not the only great thing about it. There are actually studies on river rafting, and on activities in the outdoors, which show that not only are these things fun, there are thousands of health benefits as well. Today, we want to share with you, what we think, are the top 5 of those health benefits. Enjoy! The thrill of adventure!(a.k.a adrenaline rush) Of course, we have to start with the most obvious health benefit. Which is providing you with an adrenaline rush. Going through each turn of the river and battling through every rapid boosts your adrenaline. And this is needed to enjoy a more healthy, long life. Which is why, the thrill of the adventure, or adrenaline rush, is the first health benefit on our list. The Outdoors & Fresh Air = Reduced Stress. When people are getting tired of their jobs or just tired in general, one way they can reduce their stress is by going outdoors. Now, studies show that being outdoors in fresh air, and not cooped up in your office, is far more beneficial to your mental health and […]

7 Things You Can Strike Off Your Bucket List By Visiting New Mexico    New Mexico is the 5th largest state in the United States, and its diverse geography and climate mean that it’s a great place to tick some items off your bucket list. Rose coloured deserts, broken mesas, and snow-capped peaks which brush against the sky mean it’s a great place for adventure. The foothills off the Rocky Mountains start here, meaning that it’s possible to ski and rock climb. Although there’s not a lot of surface water in New Mexico, it’s home to the 4th longest river, the Rio Grande, perfect for kayaking and rafting. So, let’s look at the top 7 activities to strike off your bucket list in the Land of Enchantment.   Become one with nature by horseback riding  The perfect family activity – horseback riding is easy, relaxing, and the kids will love it. There are a number of beautiful trails across the state perfect for taking horses, including Angel Fire, the heart of the Red River, the Enchanted Circle, and Carson National Forest. Riding in Carson National Forest will give you a great opportunity to see the wildlife that calls New Mexico home, […]