JM: Today I have the pleasure of interviewing Mr. Luke Kriken. Luke, what brought you into rafting?

LK: I was just looking for a summer job in between school, and found out that I knew somebody at this company. I had worked a care-providing gig for years, and decided I wanted to get a job for myself this time; I felt like I had played my part and donated to the community, so I really wanted to do something for myself. I found out about this, and had only been rafting once when I was 17-  I’m pretty sure we were being such little jerks [on that trip] that the guide flipped the boat on purpose… but yeah, that was the one time I had rafted before this gig, and I came out here, had never even been to New Mexico; fell in love with the area and boating, and have been back every summer since.

JM: How long have you been professionally guiding?

LK: 4 seasons- 4 summers.

JM: So, what’s the most epic trip you’ve done so far?

LK: Cataract Canyon, 2015! 16 days, self-supported through the canyon, with Wendy Meyer as the awesome TL (trip leader). We just floated the first few days. I’d never ridden class IV [rapids] before. Then we had three days of class III rafting, about two and a half days of class IV. It was like, 5,000 cf/s, and I was in a Super… and I only fell out once! I thought I was going to flip- I saw the boat in front of me, I was second point- they hit this hole, and looked back at me yelling, “don’t hit it, don’t hit it!!” I couldn’t square up and hit it at an angle, and it just threw me out. I was holding onto the frame shouting, “I’m ok…” when I really wasn’t ok! But somehow I got back into the raft, and we were good. I had oar leashes, thankfully- that’s what saved me!

JM: What’s the hardest part about being a guide?

LK: The hardest part? Probably training your guests to do well in the boat. You got to set them up for success. That’s a good question. Logistics are really hard too, getting everything prepped. Then once you’re on the river, take a deep breath, because you’re on the river! [You’re] on the river finally, having done all the prep work, whether it’s a snack or lunch; but then just organizing all the other guides, trying to give them the best crew for them- once again, trying to set them up for success. So, yeah, just the logistics behind it all sometimes is really difficult. Giving another guide a seven or an eight-load, or little kids… it all falls on the trip leader, so sometimes it’s a very difficult job.

JM: And the best part about being a guide?

LK: The best part? Being on the river! Or, when you hit something you shouldn’t hit, but then you come through with all your people in the raft, and you’re like, “YES! We just did that! It wasn’t the plan, but we did it!” Like hitting Trench-Hole in Rock Garden [Rapid]. You hit it and you square up, and man, it’s a big, big hit. Somehow everyone stays in the raft, and you’re thinking “YES! I wish that was the line, but it isn’t… but we succeeded!” You won’t always have the ideal line, but you have to have plan A, B, and C under your belt, right? So, the happy accidents- the victories.

JM: What are any trips or rivers that you haven’t done yet, that are on your bucket list?

LK: The Zambezi, without a doubt! Especially since it’s supposedly going to get dammed in the next ten years, and that’s going to change it. So, that’s definitely a trip I want to do, and probably the Gauley. What’s another good one? The Futaleufu… pretty much every river I haven’t done!

JM: What is your favorite kind of boat, and why?

LK: Paddle boat guiding? I love the Sotars, they track well, they can high-side, it’s just so hard to flip them. Rowing, I really love the little “Tanager” AIRE boat we use for oar rigs. It’s got those bigger diameter tubes, when you’re rowing you can hit so much stuff. I really love rowing- I’ve fallen in love with that more over the years. Of course, I still love paddle guiding, but if I’m rowing the [Taos] Box, I’m a happy camper.

JM: Alright! One last, random question. What’s you’re favorite band?

LK: Favorite band… it’s so hard to choose. One thing I’ve been digging on lately is Bella Fleck and The Flecktones. They’re one of my favorites, for sure. I’m in a Bluegrass faze right now, so… Railroad Earth, and of course, got to love David Allan Coe. Those are the three that I’m listening to the most, at the moment.

Our summer season is in full swing, and the 4th of July is right around the corner… We can’t think of a better place to celebrate our nation’s Independence Day than on the river! The water is getting warmer every day, and we have so many fun activities available this season. Let us take you rafting and camping on an overnight or multi day vacation in the gorgeous high desert setting along our rivers. Or, come hang out in the Rio Grande Gorge and explore the Dead Cholla climbing wall on one of our half-day rock climbing and rappelling excursions. This trip makes a wonderful full day adventure with our fajita lunch and scenic Orilla Verde float through the bottom of the Rio Grande Del Norte National Monument 

There are lots of things to see on the Rio Grande while out on a rafting trip. Whether up in the rowdy class IV section of the Taos Box, in the mellow waters of the Orilla Verde Float section, or through the  popular Racecourse, there’s much to behold.

The High Gorge Bridge, spanning the gorge just Northwest of the town of Taos, is exhilarating to stand on and gaze down into the gorge below. You can get a less common, very humbling perspective of this bridge from below, on a rafting trip through the Lower Taos Box.

Birds of Prey and migratory bird species are abound on the Rio Grande. We’ve got a couple different species of eagles, a couple of different species of herons, geese, and ducks, as well as many other bird species. It’s a bird-watcher’s paradise!

The heritage and ancient cultures of the Gorge still echo along the banks and into the side canyons, as those who passed through centuries ago left their stories on the rocks in Petroglyphs for us to treasure today. Some of these glyphs are easily viewed from the rafts, and knowledgeable river guides can show you just where to look!

Some other residents to encounter out on the Rio are Big Horn Sheep. Often, they can be viewed grazing along the sides of the gorge, as curious about the visitors in the Gorge as we are of them! Sometimes even the babies are out!

Stand-Up Paddle boarding is a sport that is really starting to take hold here on the Rio Grande. There’s a beautiful stretch, called the Orilla Verde, with beautiful flat water, eddy lines to catch and experiment on, and a couple of little “ripple rapids” to get the blood pumping and test your balance on. Rafting isn’t the only sport here on the river!

Here at New Mexico River Adventures we’ve decided to step it up from the standard deli lunch out on the river, and fill our guests’ bellies with something special. We want to give our guests a meal that isn’t only delicious and nutritious, but is also an authentic taste of Northern New Mexico. This year, we’ve started making our hot, fresh chicken and veggie fajita lunch, right on the river bank- and this scrumptious meal is available on all of our full day trips! New Mexico River Adventures is the only river outfitter in New Mexico that features this delectable spread along both the Rio Grande and the Rio Chama.

We start by leaving no expense spared. Our professional guides pack everything into our rafts they require to prepare a tantalizing lunch; we carry all of the fuel, stoves, pots and pans, and utensils we need to achieve perfectly grilled chicken, and the mouth-watering veggie mix of sweet bell peppers and onions that really define the authentic fajita taste. Add in our savory black beans, and don’t forget the Mexican rice!

To top it all off, our guides lay out a beautiful and inviting garnish spread, with fresh grated cheese, salsa, and green chile- the true flavor of New Mexico! Our signature fajita sauce ties all the flavors together inside of a soft flour tortilla. Let us know when you book your trip if you have any dietary restrictions, and we can tailor the meal to accommodate you and your family. Our fajita lunch will conquer your hunger and let you focus on the amazing river and scenery… instead of a growling belly.

There’s nothing quite like the ambiance of enjoying sizzling fajitas on the bank of one of the cool, refreshing rivers of Northern New Mexico. Come experience it for yourself, and your taste buds will thank you!

JM: Today I’m interviewing Brad Hooker, one of our guides here at NMRA. Brad, What brought you into rafting?

BH: What brought me into rafting? I did a Wilderness First Responder course and a lot of the people in that course had some great stories; just about things they’ve responded to out on the river, and rafting in general… and I met Wendy Meyer and Jamie Viers. The two of them were just these awesome women who had a lot of fun stories about it, and they pulled me into the rafting world.

 

JM: So, how long have you been professionally guiding?

BH: About 5 years now. A good 4 seasons out on the Rio Grande, and 1 season out on the Gauley River in West Virginia.

JM: What’s the most epic trip you’ve done?

BH: I did a 16 day Cataract Canyon trip; that was pretty epic, in terms of being really long, and out in the wilderness, it was just wonderful. It makes me excited to get out there more… It’s between that and the first Class V paddling I ever did, it was up at the Burnt Ranch Gorge in California, on the Trinity River. That was pretty scary- I was swimming away from walls as fast as I could, with water charging underneath them, I was getting saved by safety kayakers

JM: Wow! What do you consider to be the hardest part about being a guide?

BH: Well, learning to be adaptable. You have to adapt to situations changing out on the river, logistics changing all the time- before the trip even starts- the amount of people on the trip changes… Yeah. There’s all these variables and you have to keep your head on a swivel to be able to make it all work.

JM: And the best part of guiding, for you?

BH: The best part of guiding is the little giggles I get when I hit a wave with a raft full of people, and it splashes over them, and we all start laughing together. Just enjoying those little moments.

JM: What are any trips or rivers you haven’t done that are on your “bucket list?”

BH: Definitely the Grand Canyon. I really want to do a Grand Canyon trip, it hasn’t come up for me yet. Yeah, I want to get out and see as many rivers as I can, so really any river that’s runnable, but definitely the Grand Canyon.

 

JM: Alright, last question… What’s your favorite kind of boat, and why?

BH: My favorite kind of boat is one that has air in it, and is coming into a giant wave- actually it’s just come through a giant wave; and is filled up with water like a bath tub, and a bunch of happy, laughing human beings.

JM: Wonderful. Thank you very much for your time, and I hope you have a great trip out on the Taos Box today!

BH: Thank you!

Here in our sleepy, mountain town of Rinconada, one would think it to be just a town to pass through (or to meet and go rafting!), but it’s so much more. Rich with eateries, galleries, and local watering holes that offer locally-made craft beer and wines, Rinconada and it’s surrounding neighborhoods hold a treasure trove of places to visit and explore after your day on the river.

Nearby tasting rooms and breweries are the first stop! Starting closest to NMRA’s headquarters (conveniently located across the street), The Blue Heron Brewery not only has their finest beers on draft- including their homemade root beer, they also serve fantastic local wine as well. They hold “Trivia Night” on Friday evenings for those who love a friendly competition of the minds, and live, local music on Saturday evenings. A little over a mile South on Highway 68 is Vivac Winery, who also host live music on Saturday nights in conjunction with their Happy Hour. Known for their award-winning wines, they also serve local beers on tap; for the chocolate connoisseur, a decadent array of fresh, handmade chocolates and truffles to pair wines with. La Chiripada Winery is Northern New Mexico’s oldest winery, and their tasting room and vineyard is located in the heart of Dixon, just off of State road 75, and open every day. The Black Mesa Winery is seated at the very bottom of the Rio Grande Gorge in Velarde, NM and is open for tasting every day except for Wednesday. Stop in at Black Mesa and ask to taste their Black Beauty!

Galleries and showrooms are scattered throughout the local neighborhoods, perfect to stop in and peruse the inspiration provoked by the beauty of the river, landscape, and unique culture of the area. Manifestation is right next door to our headquarters. Featuring studio art jewelry, custom furniture, salvage art, and antiques, they welcome visitors every day except Sunday and Monday. Just a half mile North on Highway 68, you will find The Rift Gallery, Southwest Stoneworks, and Sax Stone-Carving Workshops. Stephen Kilbourn Pottery is located in Pilar, just off of Hwy 68 on St Rd 570. At the corner of Hwy 68 and St Rd 75, right next to Vivac Winery, is an amazing little gallery called Joya Escondida, and every first Friday of the month, they hold a show that features local artists and live music. Heading up St. Rd. 75 into the center of Dixon, the beautiful Le Metier Gallery also offers local artists’ wares.

On your way back to Santa Fe, we love to recommend Sugar’s Burgers in Embudo on Hwy 68. They have the best burgers, hotdogs, and barbecue. If you’re headed up to Dixon, stop in at Zuly’s Cafe and enjoy some tacos or ice cream! They serve breakfast and lunch, and Saturdays they stay open later to serve dinner as well. The Dixon Market has a deli with scrumptious wraps, salads, and organic foods, and they serve pizza too! It’s a great place to stop for groceries if you’re camping up in Pilar, but don’t pass up the Pilar Yacht Club, located at the corner of Hwy 68 and St Rd 570- a perfect spot to get a breakfast burrito or cup of espresso.

Camping in Pilar is one of the most popular choices, with campsites ranging from very primitive, to ones with showers and shelters. Or, you can rent an 18′ Airbnb Tipi, nestled on the bank of the Rio Grande in Pilar. In Dixon, we have the historic Embudo Mission, which offers rooms and casitas. No matter your choice, it’s sure to be a night to remember… a perfect end to a perfect day!

Every year since it was founded in the 1950’s by a LANL employee and Los Alamos paddle boater Jim “Stretch” Fretwell, a spectacular whitewater festival draws private and professional boaters to the Rio Grande on Mother’s Day. Held on a 5 mile stretch of rapids that runs along Highway 68, known as The Racecourse, whitewater enthusiasts flock to the roadside to see the competitors in the various races, or compete themselves.  Early on in the event’s history, it was supported by organizations such as Los Alamos’ Explorer Post 20, the Los Alamos Fire Department, and The Atomic City Citizens Band Radio Club. Eventually, the festival was taken over by the Adobe Whitewater Club, who oversaw it for better than 30 years. The Adobe Whitewater Club passed it to NMROA in 2008.

The festival lasts through Mother’s Day weekend, finishing on Sunday with the main event- the races! Though, there are so many great events to participate in throughout the festival, with camping, Dutch Oven cook-offs, a River Guide Rendezvous, and, a geology float featuring New Mexico’s top geologist, Paul Bauer.

Here’s the event schedule for Sunday, May 14th:

-8:00 – 10:00 AM General Race Registration. $15 for the First Race,
$5 for each race after, $45 per team of four, Rafting Race. First 75
entrants get a Festival T-Shirt

-10:00 AM  – Downriver Race (meet at Quartzite)
Men’s and Women’s Division Kayak, SUP and Canoe

-12:00 PM – 2:00 PM – Geology Float with Paul Bauer, prize-winning author of the Guidebook to the Rio Grande published by NM Bureau of Geology, will lead a floating interpretive workshop on the Racecourse. Paul will be joined by several experts in archaeological and natural history topics. If geologists could be rock stars, Bauer would be the boss. His annual river trip is perennially popular with river guides and outfitters, who provide all the rafting equipment and navigational expertise. A limited number of spaces are available for members of the general public so register early.

-3:30PM – 4:00PM – Kid and Mom Tandem Race (meet at Souse Hole)
starts at Souse Hole and finishes at County Line. (Ik’s, Kayaks, SUP, Raft’s)

-5PM – 6PM Raft R-4 Downriver Race (four paddlers per boat) –
Quartzite to County Line

-6:30PM Après Race Awards & Party: Just down road from races on right
at Blue Heron Brewery.

The prices and fees are:

$15 per person for the first event (includes an event T-Shirt to first 75) $5 Each additional Event.
$45 Per Raft of 4 (R-4) for the Raft Downriver Race.

For More Information Email: info@newmexicoriveradventures.com.

You can also check out the Facebook page for updates, developments, to connect with the NMROA whitewater community, and to check out winners of previous years here: https://www.facebook.com/mdrgwf/

New Mexico River Adventures is a proud member of NMROA, a proud competitor in the races, and we hope to see you on the Rio Grande Racecourse on Sunday, May 14th for Mother’s Day!

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