Russian River canoe trip ideal for families
People of all ages will enjoy a canoe trip down the river Sweet Russia, one of the most spectacular bodies California's water.
The Russian River flows through these famous destinations like Healdsburg and Geyserville Wine Country before making its exit to the sea through gentle hills covered with thick redwood forests and teaming with rare birds and other wildlife. On a stretch of 10 kilometers of the river from Forestville to Guerneville is ideal for calm water canoeing or kayaking and a local company called Burke's Canoe Trips helps make it even easier and providing canoes, kayaks and a shuttle to take you to your car near Forestville.
The Russian River, in this case, is not exactly the "Rushin 'River. If you is looking for a lot of fast water and rapids of the river, there are other California rivers that will fill that bill, but not this one. In fact, water here are so tame that it is not really as good for inside the pipe because in some parts can not keep enough forward motion without a lot of paddling. For that reason, canoes and kayaks – which seem to glide over the water with little effort – are ideal.
Not that there will be a few emotions. As the canoe people Burkes "he said, is not quick enough water to make things interesting. There are some points of the river where the stream channel can carry on tree branches along the coast, or get your canoe is turned into a whirlwind if not guide your canoe into the correct area. But the good news is that even if you throw the water relatively hot, not too deep and will be moved to a quiet area, literally just seconds.
We opted for a canoe on our trip down the river and is advised keep all of our cameras or anything that could be damaged by water in a plastic bag of water-proof security. It is also said to use our bathing suit, and were forced to wear lightweight jackets. As for the calm waters near the launch area, it almost seemed silly to worry about moving from one Flip over and wondered why there was so much emphasis on preparing to get wet.
We put a cooler full of drinks and sandwiches in our canoe and went a little tentatively on our trip. Canoes are inherently unstable – at least if you have not been around for a while – and we took a few minutes feel comfortable with our balance and get some confidence that could maneuver properly. But alas, our Boy Scout training soon kicked in well even though it had been decades – and probably an increase of 20 percent of weight – and we have always had the last paddle in the water.
Within about two minutes we face our first challenge – avoiding a fairly fast river current pushing all forested right bank. The goal was to canoe on the left bank, paddled quickly and managed to coordinate our front and rear paddles just enough to avoid danger. It was not a perfect approach, but it was a confidence builder. We expected forward to improve our skills as they face new challenges paddling down river.
Soon we were on a quiet stretch of water, barely moving, but only requires a gentle paddle to keep making good forward progress. This was when I really started to enjoy the natural beauty river – the thick forests of giant trees and the ballet, performed by the Russian river birds such as great blue heron and osprey. Along the way would be to see turtles and deer as well. We also enjoyed paddling by the charming vacation cabins that are perched above the river in many strategic locations along this stretch of the Russian Federation. Spectacular bridges span the river at various points, although most of this float was away from the road, that makes them feel even more remote than it really is.
We spent the next four hours or so alternating between negotiating some of the streams stronger – or what we might call a very small rapids – and quietly paddling on a beautiful spring day of blue sky. We stopped only for a few minutes a snack in a spectacular sandy beach – although we were told most people stay on these beaches to swim, sunbathe and hang out with peers travel for hours and hours.
After dominating perhaps a dozen current bottlenecks faster and with less than a few hundred meters to go to our goal, we felt supremely confident that he had regained the canoeing prowess of our youth. And then came the unthinkable: he turned. We had run aground on some shallow water and for a moment forgot that you do not dislodge a canoe by the change in weight. Yes, we got a little wet, but we were not really cold in this sunny day and we retrieve our belongings in the short term.
Our pride was injured. But I felt better afterwards, when the people of canoeing Burke told us that half of customers at some point pull along this seemingly calm and idyllic stretch of river.
Nearby accommodation
Back in our car, now driving the 10 miles back to Guerneville where we would spend the night. With parks and trails and landscapes all only minutes from downtown redwood, Guerneville is a destination popular for outdoor enthusiasts and those who love the charm of small towns in colors. Guerneville has a quiet Main Street – much busier weekends – that offers a number of craft shops and hometown restaurants. We enjoyed taking a couple of units out of town to places like Armstrong Woods, with its trails in the deep redwood forests. Many of the visitors to only a few miles from Jenner where the Russian River meets the Pacific Ocean.
Overnight in the West Sonoma Inn and Spa, a stylish group of buildings of the edge of Guerneville, where the resort takes advantage of natural landscapes and views of nearby Sequoia vineyard. The innkeepers here have gone further in providing a lot of extras for guests that often are not in the accommodation Village – luxurious beds, fireplaces, granite countertops, wet bars, private decks and mini kitchen. Our unit was unusually large and, for a configuration dispersed, each unit seemed very private and very quiet. Grounds were richly landscaped and maintenance.
A light breakfast is offered in European Western Inn on Sonoma Coast, which includes gourmet organic coffee, juice, fresh fruit and pastries. Prices start in the inn of less than $ 100, which today is a bargain in a highly desirable tourist area. This is especially true when you realize that the inn is considered by many to be one of the best and most luxurious accommodations in Guerneville.
AT A GLANCE
WHERE: The Russian River is in Sonoma County and placed at the point of Burke's Canoe trips is about 70 kilometers northwest of San Francisco.
WHAT: Burke Canoe trips have been popular with couples and groups of all sizes for decades and are self-guided tours a 10-mile stretch of river in Russia. The company provides the boat and safety equipment, and then picks up in their shuttle bus at the end of his journey, near Guerneville.
WHEN: Tours begin every year in late May and continue throughout the summer. The weather is generally sunny and 80.
WHY: river canoe trips in Russia are a good way to see a river landscape in a spectacular area of California, where you can enjoy both redwood forests and abundant wildlife. It is also a social experience, since many people do travel in groups.
HOW: For more information on travel Russian River canoe, telephone 707-887-1222 or visit www.burkescanoetrips.com. Canoas Burke charges $ 58 per canoe for use of the canoe, safety gear and pick up on the shuttle of the company. For more information about West Sonoma Coast Inn, phone 1-800-551-1881 or visit www.westsonomainn.com.
About the Author
Cary Ordway is president of Getaway Media Corp which publishes websites focused on regional travel. Among the sites offered by GMC are http://www.californiaweekend.com, covering California beach vacations and http://www.northwesttraveladvisor.com, featuring Oregon travel and other locations in the Pacific Northwest.
