Blue Heron Whitewater

You may have read about all the changes we’ve been making around here at Blue Heron in preparation for our big move over to the new location. While we have a long way to go before things are finished, we’re so excited about the place we can’t help but want to share our new vistas with everyone…and what better way to celebrate a new home than with a little mountain music in the evening? On August 5, 2009, at our future outpost on Little Pine Road, Blue Heron Whitewater will host the up and coming bluegrass outfit Three Penny Acre in an outdoor acoustic concert on the lawn.
Three Penny Acre hails from the Ozark hills of Arkansas where they were recently awarded a Northwest Arkansas Music Award for Best New Band. Featuring multi-instrumentalists, vocalists, and award-winning songwriters Shannon Wurst, Bayard Blain, Bernice Hembree and Bryan Hembree, Three Penny Acre plays an inspired mix of traditional bluegrass, old-time, and gospel favorites in addition to a suite of original songs.  Band member Shannon Wurst is a former resident of Boone, North Carolina where she was awarded a Northwest North Carolina Regional Artist Grant and began recording her album Sunday Pie. The concert, which kicks off the Three Penny Acre east coast tour, will begin at 7:30 for a suggested donation of  5 $. All funds will go toward the recording of the second 3PA album. Bring your chairs, blankets, family, and friends, and join us for an exciting evening of quality tunes on the new grounds of Blue Heron Whitewater! For more information about Three Penny Acre or Shannon Wurst, go to shannonwurst.com, or www.myspace.com/3pennyacre.

We're talking about the rafters we took out of the old tobacco barn here, not, necessarily certain members of the Blue Heron Whitewater staff. We are using the old rafters to frame walls in our new raft barn. Well, the raft barn is upstairs in an old chicken house, but it's new for us, and oh so spacious. Mostly it's just gratifying to know that an old rafter can still find itself useful as a stud.
Stay tuned as we reinvent our new property and turn it into a white water rafting outpost. Visit our website at www.BlueHeronWhitewater.com or call and chat at 888-426-7238 (H2O-Raft)

White water rafting on North Carolina's French Broad River with Blue Heron Whitewater is sure to bring out the kid in anybody. Buckle up your pfd (personal floatation device), strap on your helmet and push off shore for some adventure on the river. Leave your every day life on shore and enjoy the beauty and exhilaration of river-time. Float through the forrest under a Carolina sky. Laugh your way through the fun rapids of the French Broad River. Add a new layer of connection with friends or family. Join us for a classic river trip of adventure, fun and memories. Only 20 minutes from Asheville, but a world away. Blue Heron Whitewater on the French Broad River.
www.BlueHeronWhitewater.com
888-426-7238 (H2O-Raft)

The multi-talented Spring Rose Wood that is. Spring has returned to her North Carolina friends and rivers from her home state of Arkansas. After getting some higher education she is back for some river time. Whether she is guiding your raft, driving your bus, or taking your photo, Spring's charm and wit will surely add an extra smile to an already great day. Welcome  back Spring, we're glad you're here.

You may find this hard to believe, but the only thing that might be better then white water rafting on the French Broad River on a hot summer's day, is rafting in the rain.  Our rafting trips here at Blue Heron Whitewater go rain or shine. You are going to get wet anyway and the mist rising off the river and up into the mountains has a pre-historic beauty that is breath taking and completely different then the shimmering light of summer day.
So don't let the chance of rain dissuade you. We have wet weather gear you can use at no extra cost and you might find yourself pleasantly surprised at the beauty and fun of a white water rafting trip on the French Broad River in the rain. And if you are stuck with beautiful sunny day, well, thats no so bad either.
Lets go rafting: www.BlueHeronWhitewater.com or give us a call at 888-426-7238 (H20)-Raft

Blue Heron Whitewater and a local Boy Scout troop teamed up for a French Broad River clean-up trip. Although the water quality of the French Broad River is good, any time it rains we can get some trash floating downstream and littering the river banks. Thanks to the efforts of the river outfitters and organizations such as the Scouts and RiverLink in Asheville, we are making a dent in river-side litter. It is, however, a constant battle .

Whitewater rafting on the French Broad River with Blue Heron Whitewater is more then just a water-park ride. You are out in the Blue Ridge Mountains, away from cities, away from roads. You are on an adventure. You are part of a team and the better your team the more you will get out your time spent in the mountains and on the river. The rapids are great fun. Enjoy the comraderie and the laughter, and when you have a moment, take the time to look around. The flowers of summer are in bloom.
For more information about the river adventures offered by Blue Heron Whitewater log on to our web site at www.BlueHeronWhitewater.com or give us a call at 888-426-7238 (H2O-Raft)

Blue Heron Whitewater has found a fantastic piece of property to use as its permanent outpost for it's North Carolina white water rafting trips on the French Broad River. We are in the process of reclaiming the beautiful siding and tin roof from an old tobacco barn and in the next few weeks hope to move from our present location. The new spot is just a few miles down the road toward Hot Springs, NC on the corner of Hwy. 25/70 and Little Pine Rd. We are very excited about this opportunity to develop some roots and we hope you will join us, and help us as our little white water rafting company grows. Stay in touch for more progress updates. For information on our rafting trips check out our website at www.BlueHeronWhitewater.com or give us a call at 888-426-7238 (H2O-Raft)

There is no better way to cool off a hot summer day than hitting the waves of a class III rapid on North Carolina's famous French Broad River. Blue Heron Whitewater is running morning river trips, afternoon river trips, and all day river trips on this free-flowing, beautiful old river.
Conveniently located right on highway 25/70 bypass near Marshall NC, Blue Heron Whitewater is the closest outfitter to the city of Asheville NC, and has a variety of boats to make sure we can squeeze the most fun out of your day on the French Broad River.
Only twenty minutes from downtown Asheville, a rafting trip on North Carolina's French Broad River is a great way to spend part of your day floating down an ancient river through the oldest mountain chain in the world. I you have a full plate of activities planned, a morning or afternoon trip can fit nicely into your schedule. If you have the time, a full day trip lets you fully immerse yourself into the flow and lore of these wise old mountains.
So please join us for a North Carolina rafting classic. Family-friendly moderate rapids, swim-friendly water temperatures, and fun-friendly experienced guides will make your time with us on the French Broad River memorable and possibly addictive. Give us a call at 888-426-7238 (H2O-Raft) or check out our website at www.BlueHeronWhitewater.com.

Asheville North Carolina's French Broad River is a great NC rafting river for groups of just about any type. Corporate, church, school, scout, and family. All these group types and more can benefit from a NC rafting trip on the French Broad River. Only 20 minutes from Asheville, NC, Blue Heron Whitewater is the closest outfitter for this stretch of the French Broad River. You can spend a half day on river, or a full day and still be back in Asheville for other activities.
Rafting with Blue Heron Whitewater is an amazing way to get out into these ancient mountains of western North Carolina, and has the added benefit, for groups, of providing a natural format for team building, cooperation, and just plain fun.
Rafting through North Carolina's majestic Blue Ridge Mountains is a tradition for many families. Many folks tell us that they are bringing their families rafting because they have such positive memories of their own childhood rafting trips in North Carolina. Many even incorporate a rafting trip into wedding and family reunion plans. A family rafting trip on the French Broad River can be a long-lasting and even a profound bonding experience for families. The minimum age for Blue Heron Whitewater's standard whitewater trip is 8 years. If you have children as young as 4, or you just want river float trip,  that kind of trip is an option for you as well.
Among the traits that make the French Broad River ideal for groups is the moderate nature of its rapids. Not too scary for the inexperienced, but plenty of action for those who have been rafting before. Another group-friendly trait for a group rafting trip on the French Broad River is the variety of boats you have to choose from. The variety of boat types means that a group that has different experience levels can still go down the river together as a team. If some members of your group have more rafting experience an inflatable kayak or a self-guided raft might be an option. If everyone in your group wants to stay together in guided rafts that is up to you. A raft with a guide is always one of your options. (The French Broad River is a free-flowing river so water levels can affect the boat choices available.)
So if you are looking for a group activity that is fun, unique, and educational consider a group rafting trip down the French Broad River. We are proud to say that we have 20+ years of experience with group rafting trips and can accommadate groups of just about any size. From two to two hundred (or more), a group rafting trip down the French Broad River will be a fun and memorable time for all.
For more information please give us a call at 888-426-7238 (H20-Raft), and check out our web site at www.BlueHeronWhitewater.com.

High on the hillsides along the French Broad River the Mountain Laurel is blooming. Highlights of pinkish white nestled in the rocks surrounded by the verdant green of what has been a luscious May. Look up between rapids while rafting one of North Carolinas great rivers and you might be lucky enough to spot the blazing orange of a flame azalea. Closer to the edge of the French Broad River you can find fire pinks, fringe trees, trillium, pink lady slippers, and the hard to spot, green violet.
The rapids and the river environment of North Carolina's  French Broad River are beautiful and fascinating with the added bonus of a diverse plant ecosystem  that thrives along the river and is visible on the hillsides of the river valley. Another example of what makes N.C. rafting some of the best in the world. The combination of the scenic beauty of the souther Appalachian Mountains and the fun and excitement of French Broad River's moderate rapids make a trip down the river with Blue Heron Whitewater a memorable and fulfilling experience. Get more info about the French Broad River and Blue Heron Whitewater at our website, www.blueheronwhitewater.com or call and talk to us at 888-426-7238 (H2O-Raft)

Frank Bell's rapid is an easy, fun and exciting class IV rapid on North Carolina's French Broad River. This rapid is named for the whitewater pioneer, educator, and camp director Frank Bell. Also known as "Chief", Frank Bell encountered this rapid in the 1920's on a canoe trip from western North Carolina to the Gulf of Mexico. He survived the rapid, but his wood and canvas canoe did not. Not deterred, he bought another canoe and continued on his journey. His name, however, stayed with the rapid.
After paddling the class II and III white water of the half-day section of river and the beautiful and scenic windy flats, thoughts and talk turn to Frank Bell's rapid. The biggest rapid of the day on Blue Heron Whitewater's full day raft trip produces a good bit of anticipation and a little apprehension. You come around a bend in the river and you can hear it. The roar of the rapid is up ahead. You can't see anything but mist yet, but you can sure hear it. And it's getting closer. Everyone in the raft is silent. The guide is focused, reminding everyone of their roles and what to do if they end up in the river. You get to the edge of the drop, you look down into what looks like liquid mayhem. Then you are in it. Big waves, lots of splash, the guide calls out: "back left!, all forward!, back right!, all forward! Then, before you know it, you're through. At the bottom, in a calm pool. You suddenly realize that you've made it. Smiles and laughter erupt in the raft. Paddle high-five. Lets watch the rest of the trip, maybe one of them will flip.
To learn more about the raft trips offered by Blue Heron Whitewater check out our website at BlueHeronWhitewater.com or call us at 888-426-7238 (H2O-RAFT).

Being a white water rafting guide on the French Broad River, near Asheville, NC has some pretty nice perks when it comes to family vacations. You see, my family, parents, sisters, brothers-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews often visit me, knowing we’ll get to spend a fun day rafting together on a beautiful river. Blue Heron Whitewater on the French Broad River provides the closest, family-friendly, whitewater rafting trips to Asheville, NC. It’s wonderful to live in such a place, with so many cool things to do, that family wants to visit! Check out our website www.blueheronwhitewater.com or call 888-426-7238 (H2O-Raft).

Last Saturday a group of 10 friends, who’d met at college some 15 years ago, reunited on a French Broad River rafting trip with Blue Heron Whitewater.  The guys came from all over the country, to base their reunion adventure out of Asheville, NC.  The French Broad River was prime!  Taking advantage of all the recent rain, the class IV Frank Bells Rapid delivered a big ride, for the grand finale of the trip. Good fun was had by all! There is talk of a return trip in 2010…
Give us a call at 888-426-7238 (H2O-RAFT) or check out our website at www.blueheronwhitewater.com.

North Carolina rafting is some of the nations best. Western North Carolina is home to a variety of whitewater opportunities. From experts-only steep creeks to mellow, meandering water ways. Smack dab in the middle of this range of river trips is the French Broad River. Born in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Smoky Mountain National Park, the French Broad River flows north and west toward the Mississippi and the Gulf of Mexico. The stretch of river just outside Asheville, NC and near Marshall and Hot Springs, NC has a wonderful stretch of moderate white water. This North Carolina rafting river is a free-flowing river. Never a worry about the water being shut off by power companies and dam operators. Thats how we like it here at Blue Heron Whitewater. The free flowing aspect means the river is never the same twice. One day the water is up and we take bigger rafts, then the water drops a bit and we get to try out inflatable kayaks (aka: ducks). We also appreciate the historic and natural aspects of this river trip. There are no roads along this stretch of the river giving river runners on this North Carolina river the feel of a true wilderness river experience. Blue Heron Whitewater is now running both half-day and full-day rafting trips on the French Broad River here in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina. This is the perfect river trip for families, couples, youth groups, corporate groups, and just about anyone who loves to get out in nature for a unique view of the world we live on. The moderate nature of the rapids combined with the variety of boat choices we have available means that the French Broad River and Blue Heron Whitewater can satisfy the whitewater desires of both the beginner and those with more experience. So if you live in North Carolina, or you plan to visit come rafting with Blue Heron Whitewater on a great North Carolina river. You can reserve online at www.BlueHeronWhitewater or call us at 888-H2O-RAFT (866-246-7238).

It is time. Time to shake off winter and get outside. Get out on the French Broad River and enjoy the rapids and views of the mountains. If you are in the Asheville NC area head to the white water of the French Broad River. Only 20 minutes from Asheville, Blue Heron Whitewater is the closest rafting outfitter running half-day and full-day rafting trips on the mighty French Broad. The French Broad River is wide and warm with moderate rapids that are fun and sure to make you smile. Between rapids the spectacular spring scenery will have you in awe of the natural beauty of the hills and mountains of Western North Carolina. As you float down this ancient river your guide will regale you with stories of the natural and human history of the area. Until, that is, the next rapid. Then it's time for your group or family to focus, work together and navigate the rapid. That's how it is rafting on this river. Fun and excitement one minute, then the sudden realization that you are floating on a river through the oldest mountain range on the planet. Rafting North Carolina's French Broad River. Come join us.
Check out our website at www.BlueHeronWhitewater.com or give us a call at 888-426-7238(H2O-Raft).

Many thanks to Gary Peeples at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for organizing this fascinating seminar about the French Broad River. The seminar included speakers and experts involved with stream and river quality and monitoring at RiverLink in Asheville, NC, as well as experts in the fields of invasive species, stream entomology, native plant ID, and fish ecology and identification. Add to that, instruction on the art of interpretation, and we had a fun, educational, and enlightening day. Sort of like being on a whitewater rafting trip. So the next time you are on a whitewater rafting trip with Blue Heron Whitewater don't be surprised if you see your guides turning over river rocks looking for hellgrammites to show the kids, or talking about the effects of sediment on river quality. Now when you ask your guide the name of that tree, or what kind of fish are in the French Broad River, you might actually be getting accurate information.   

Whitewater rafting companies simply have to have certain items to run rafting trips. Rafts are helpful. PFD's, helmets, splash jackets, wet suits, paddles, all come in handy. And then there is the ubiquitous old school bus. Often older then many of the guides, these buses are work horses. Tough and durable? Certainly. Pretty? Not so much. Until now. Thanks to the artistic talents of Julie Ross, Blue Heron Whitewater is now the proud owner of the most gorgeous rafting bus you are likely to ever see. Julie did a great job of incorporating elements of the logo Sandy designed into the design on the bus. She is a renaissance woman. Artist, raft guide, warrior. Check out her web site at www.juliekross.com. Thanks Julie, it looks great. One bus down, two to go. There are more photos of the bus and the painting process at the Blue Heron Whitewater Facebook page.

Now that the Sarvis berry blooms have come and gone, it is time for the Dogwood to strut it's stuff. The best possible way to view North Carolina's state flower is, of course, to go on a white water rafting trip on the French Broad River with Blue Heron Whitewater. Heck, bring the entire family rafting. Rafting is great for groups and kids love messing around in boats. And at this time of year the dogwoods are putting on a spectacular show.
You might be asking, why is this tree called a dogwood? One idea is that it was once called a dagwood tree because the very hard wood of the stems made excellent daggers or skewers. (Nothing to do with sandwiches or cartoon characters). Another thought is that when two dogwood limbs rub against each other the sound is like that of a barking dog. Or maybe it's because dogs used to be washed with soap made from the tree's bark. And, did you know,  the fruit can be know as dog berries. And, last little fun-fact, a spring-time cold snap can be known as a dogwood winter.

There is also a Christian legend about the dogwood tree being changed by Jesus after the crucifixion. What was once a large and strong tree was changed into a small tree with twisted limbs so that it could never again be used to make crosses for crucifixions. The four white petals of the flower represent the four corners of the cross with the red indentations on the tips of the petals being the nail marks, the red stamens of the flower represent the crown of thorns, and the red fruit represent His blood.

Please join us for a wonderful and informative rafting trip down the French Broad River near Marshall, NC. Our outpost is only a 20 minute drive from Asheville, NC. We are the closest outfitter to Asheville that runs whitewater rafting trips this stretch of river. The rapids are fun and floating down the river is a great way to experience the spectacular spring foliage.

A common question asked of river guides is "what do you do when you aren't rafting on the French Broad River"?. Many guides go back to their real jobs as teachers  in Asheville, NC, some return to school, and some move out West for a winter to work in the ski industry. Back in the day we called ourselves migrant sports workers and at the end of the rafting season we would pack up all of our worldly possessions (which would conveniently fit into a small car) and head west to Colorado, trading a life revolving around flowing water for one revolving around frozen water. Jobs, once again, dependent on precipitation.  
One of the destinations these days is Mammoth Lakes California. Located in the Eastern Sierras, Mammoth Mountain gets lots of snow but has moderate temperatures. White water rafting guides who used upper body muscles all summer now have a chance to get those legs in shape.
Two of our guides, Jon and Dana worked and lived in Mammoth this past winter. Jon drove buses and was a dispatcher for the town transit system and Dana was a cross-country ski instructor and yoga teacher. Unfortunately for us Jon has decided to stay in California and explore the Sierras this summer, and Dana has decided to go back to school and study physical therapy. An interest prompted by a couple of skiing accidents perhaps? In any case they will be sorely missed. We wish them the best of luck of course and thank them again for their positive energy and hard work. Their invaluable help and input made our first season fun and successful. Fortunately, the family of whitewater rafting guides forms a tight circle and we are confident that we will be paddling with Jon and Dana again soon. Hopefully we will not be in need of Dana's skills as a physical therapist.