Recreation. Rogue River Style.

Just went to the Oregon coast and we were kibitzing with a volunteer Park Ranger at Cape Perpetua. When he found out that we were in the recreation business he asked us something that we'd long forgotten. "Do you know the meaning of the word recreation?" he said to both of us. We looked at each other--blank stares--and then back to him. Dead silence. "Well," he began, "the definition is this: an activity that refreshes and recreates; an activity that renews your health and spirits by enjoyment and relaxation. So you guys are really in the business to recreate an enjoyable outdoor experience for your guests."

Couldn't have said it better. Sometimes it's these chance encounters in life--like with a Park Ranger--that make you think about how you fit into the "bigger" picture of life. Thanks, Mr. Park Ranger!

For more information, check out our recreation website: Whitewater Warehouse

Signs of the Rogue River

Ever think about how important signs are--both informationally and historically? This Rogue River video shows myriad river signs that help Oregon visitors and vacationers understand the uniqueness of the Oregon Rogue River Canyon.

Crater Lake Park Named Top Awe-inspiring Vacation Destination

This just in...the folks at MSNBC Travel named southern Oregon's Crater Lake National Park as one of the TOP 15 awe-inspiring vacation destinations in America and its territories.

We couldn't agree more. The Park is stunning for its natural beauty and for the gorgeous, lovingly restored Crater Lake Lodge that sits high above the lake--giving vacationers exquisite views of Crater Lake (the world's deepest lake) and the Park that extends beyond the Lake.

Southern Oregon Celebrates the Chinese New Year!

Celebrating the Chinese New Year...in southern Oregon! The Southern Oregon Chinese Cultural Association is co-sponsoring a lecture and demonstration by internationally acclaimed Ghaffar Pourazar, the Director of the International Center for the Beijing Opera. Mr. Pourazar will talk about the Beijing Opera and demonstrate the fundamentals of this classic and ancient art from. The presentation is free and will take place at the Music Recital Hall of Southern Oregon University on Saturday, January 22 at 7:30 p.m.

Jacksonville, located in southern Oregon is a culturally rich and diverse town. In honor of the town's Chinese heritage, the town's citizens are planning a New Year celebration that will happen on Saturday, February 12.

The fun begins at 8 a.m. with a 5K "Rabbit Hop Fun Run."

At 10:30 a.m. an old-fashioned Dragon and Lion Dance Parade kicks off the downtown Jacksonville festivities. It will be followed by books talks, Chinese history lectures, calligraphy presentations, tai-chi and kungfu demonstrations, children's activities and a Chinese cooking show, noon at the McCully House. The Main Event Variety Show at Bigham Knoll Campus begins at 2 p.m.

Free lectures and demonstrations include: "What grandmother told me about tea, herbs, and melon seeds." and "Chinese New Year - Tai Chi - Two Person Drill."
Tickets for the Chinese Cooking Show and the Main Event Variety Show are $5 each and available at the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. All other activities are free.

About the Author: Joy Henkle owns and operates White Water Warehouse (WWW) with her husband, Bob Meister. Ever-interested in making their Oregon Rogue River rafting, kayaking, and hiking trips part of a very special Oregon vacation experience for their guests, Joy writes this blog to educate and inform WWW guests and readers about southern Oregon's fascinating people, places, foods, and festivals. Questions? Joy can be reached at 1-800-214-0579 or fun@whitewaterwarehouse.com Or visit Whitewater Warehouse's FaceBook page.

Southern Oregon Wineries

These last couple months we've had lots of inquiries about Rogue River rafting and hiking trips and during our phone conversations with folks, we've also had a lot of interest in southern Oregon's burgeoning wine industry. Over the last two decades, southern Oregon's wine industry has exploded--culminating with Sunset Magazine (among other national publications) calling out the area as "the next big wine country" last year.

If you are interested in knowing more about the southern Oregon region that is producing some world-class wines, there are several resources available. We've complied a list of southern Oregon wineries, with links to their websites.

Other wine and vineyard resources include: the Oregon Wine and Farm tour, Southern Oregon Wineries Association, and the Southern Oregon Wine Blog.


About the Author: Joy Henkle owns and operates White Water Warehouse (WWW) with her husband, Bob Meister. Ever-interested in making their Oregon Rogue River rafting, kayaking, and hiking trips part of a very special Oregon vacation experience for their guests, Joy writes this blog to educate and inform WWW guests and readers about southern Oregon’s fascinating people, places, foods, and festivals. Questions? Joy can be reached at 1-800-214-0579 or fun@whitewaterwarehouse.com  Or visit Whitewater Warehouse's FaceBook page.

Rogue River Rafting and Kayaking Trips

This video shows expert, 28-year veteran White Water Warehouse Rogue River guide, Brian, and a guest kayaker making their way through the Rogue River's Mule Creek Canyon. The video is shot from the Rogue River hiking trail which is located high above the river. It gives you an idea of the fun whitewater the Rogue River has to offer. This video has been one of triple "W's" most watched on YouTube.

Rogue River Wildflowers

The Rogue River canyon offers hikers, rafters, and kayakers a gorgeous wild flower show in May and June. By early July, the heat in the canyon has wilted most of the wildflowers so the best "views" of the canyon are really from the water.

The folks at White Water Warehouse just put together a video that show the beauty of these spectacular spring Oregon wildflowers. These photos were shot by a triple "W" hiking guest in early June of 2010. Enjoy!

Oregon Tub Springs Wayside

First of all, we wondered, "What's a Wayside?" Well, the word's definition is this: Situated at or near the side of a road, way, path, or highway...and that's exactly where Oregon's Tub Springs is located. Literally, Tub Springs Wayside is one of the stopping points before you head down the mountain pass into Ashland, Oregon. The spot became an important resting point for pioneers like Jesse Applegate who traversed southern Oregon in 1846 along what would become known as the Applegate Trail.
This rest stop is named for its crystal clear, spring water. In the 1930s, tubs were installed to provide fresh water for travelers. Since that time the tubs have been renovated and are still functional today. The same springs that provided the early settlers with liquid refreshments quench modern-day travelers' thirsts.

Visitors to Tub Springs should take a moment to enjoy the towering firs that surround this Wayside and imagine what the early settlers saw over 150 years ago. The trees, the water, and the fresh mountain air all hint at why these early pioneers sought respite here. An interpretive panel at the Wayside describes the difficulties faced by the pioneers who traveled the Applegate Trail in search of an easier life.
About the Author: Joy Henkle owns and operates White Water Warehouse (WWW) with her husband, Bob Meister. Ever-interested in making their Oregon Rogue River rafting, kayaking, and hiking trips part of a very special Oregon vacation experience for their guests, Joy writes this blog to educate and inform WWW guests and readers about southern Oregon's fascinating people, places, foods, and festivals. Questions? Joy can be reached at 1-800-214-0579 or fun@whitewaterwarehouse.com Or visit Whitewater Warehouse's FaceBook page.

Zane Grey's West Society

Just found an interesting website--Zane Grey's West Society. The purpose of this organization "is to promote interest in knowledge of the eminent American author, Zane Grey and his works; to revive interest in the writings of Zane Grey and preserve the sites of his writings so that future generations may realize the contributions made by Zane Grey toward the development of the adventure story in American literature."

Zane Grey pulled much of his story materials from his time fishing and exploring Oregon's wild & scenic Rogue River. His cabin still exists along the banks of the Rogue River.

Through the efforts of many organizations and individuals, Grey's cabin where he penned many of his most famous novels can be viewed by Rogue River rafters, hikers and kayakers today. The hose that you see running down the side of the cabin is there to protect the cabin from the Rogue River canyon summer's heat.


About the Author: Joy Henkle owns and operates White Water Warehouse (WWW) with her husband, Bob Meister. Ever-interested in making their Oregon Rogue River rafting, kayaking, and hiking trips part of a very special Oregon vacation experience for their guests, Joy writes this blog to educate and inform WWW guests and readers about southern Oregon's fascinating people, places, foods, and festivals. Questions? Joy can be reached at 1-800-214-0579 or fun@whitewaterwarehouse.com Or visit Whitewater Warehouse's FaceBook page.