Do you ever get a good case of 35 year old deja vu? Well that is where I was yesterday. Over the last few days, we had the pleasure of a visit from rafting expert, Peter Grubb. Not only is Peter a good friend and partner in Trusted Adventures, but Peter is also a legend in the rafting industry and I don’t say that lightly. Peter has been leading rafting trips and adventures throughout the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountains for 32 years. I think you could throw in a few International destinations like Ecuador as well.

So when Austin-Lehman Adventures wanted to create a family rafting trip on the Salmon River in Idaho, who else could we possibly choose to work with than Peter?  No one knows the waters of the Salmon River better then Peter. We worked closely with him to identify the perfect white water adventure for families of all ages. All sorts of extra’s thrown in to truly make it a memorable family adventure.

So how is this deja vu for me?  Rafting is where I got my start in the adventure travel industry. I started out as a raft guide and then a small rafting company owner navigating the waters of the West in 1974 (did I just date myself?).

As we enjoyed Peter’s slide show yesterday, it seemed like just yesterday I was setting up camp on the banks of the Snake, Salmon, Deschutes, Rouge and more. When we looked at the images of the gourmet riverside meals, I could not help but fondly remember the efforts each and every week to outdo the previous weeks menu.

I could almost smell the fireside coffee on the sandy beaches of the Salmon River…watching the kids play in the rapids in the rubber duckies, told me things haven’t changed much in 35 years. And I am so very glad they haven’t. Okay, there have been a few small changes. Peter and I shared a laugh as we recalled guiding some 30 years ago when helmets were nonexistent and life jackets an option. Nowadays river safety is everyone’s #1 priority.

Watching those images on the screen only made me hanker to get behind the oars again and share few days of floating, camping and all around river fun with my family.  Hey, that reminds me, we are scheduled for a family rafting trip on the Colorado River in May…more on that soon…

My favorite place in the winter is in my mind on the shores of Lake Yellowstone at Storm Point in Yellowstone National Park…watching the waves and seasons toss and turn and come and go. I can only imagine the bitter wind blowing off the lake right now but I’d love to see it myself. I know that spot well without the brutal snow I’m sure its battling right now.

I love taking guests out there and letting them experience the power of that place for themselves. I try not to talk about it too much before we get there so they can form their own opinions and that seems to work out well. From the shores of the lake I often drift to the Tetons and all its many wonders. Sometimes I go to the corners of those National Parks I haven’t explored yet and plot my days ahead on the nooks and crannies I’m sure they have set for me to discover.

I miss guiding when the season is over. It is my absolute joy to help give people the vacation of a lifetime…to make sure they “play.” I truly love meeting everyone for the first time and getting to know their favorites and dislikes and finding ways to make everything fall into place.

This year marked my 4th season with ALA. And as always I am looking forward to next year. The best part of the winter is knowing that those places in my mind are awaiting me to show to Austin-Lehman guests next season. Ahh the winter…it leaves me dreaming of sunshine and summer rain but I must go play today for this too shall pass and I don’t want to miss a minute!

Blair Peck is a North American guide for Austin-Lehman Adventures and has been guiding trips for ALA for 4 years (going on 5).

Location: Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, British Columbia We hiked up three lakes to Middle and Upper Joffre Lake. It was a rough, rocky and steep (3 mile) mountain route. The elevation gain to Upper Joffre Lake from trailhead is approximately 400 meters. We hiked through old growth forests of hemlock and spruce on the lower elevations. As we climbed up and fianally arrived at Upper Joffre Lake we were at nearly 9000 feet. There are incredible views of rugged peaks, icefields and cold, rushing streams beneath the Matier Glacier. It was a long challenging hike. We then all took a very quick dip in the lake itself, at a temperature of just above freezing it was unbeleiveably cold but it was an amazing refresher. Then the icing on the cake, our guides Buzz and Jazz disappeared for a few minutes and returned with a silver tray full of fresh blueberries, brownies and othe treats. An amazing day.

Standing on the rocky shore of Fernandina island, snapping photos of a family of sunning sea lions, I’m amazed at how seemingly unaware these sleek mammals are of my presence. As I turn to continue on my way, I notice a pup – he must have been only a month or two old – staring at me with big, brown eyes. “Hi!” I whisper, delighted that the cutest of the lot has decided to give me his attention. The pup bobs his head and then, to my amazement, waddles towards me. I freeze, remembering our guide Pablo’s words: “Don’t touch the wildlife, let the wildlife touch you.” Should I move? Will he bite? He doesn’t look mean. I decide to stand perfectly still.

When the pup reaches my feet, he sniffs, his whiskers tickling my ankles – and then grabs hold of my shoelace between his tiny teeth! I laugh as he entertains himself with his new toy, whipping his head back and forth like a puppy playing tug of war. Luckily he’s not strong enough to pull me over, but he does manage to untie both of my sneakers. As my uncle snaps photos from a nearby ledge, Pablo joins us on our perch.“Curious little fellas, aren’t they?” he says with a smile. When the game gets old, the pup sidles his way into the surf where he splashes playfully before flopping his way back up to dry rock to resume his nap.

A favorite travel moment was arriving at lunch in a small Tuscany hill town after biking up the switchbacks. The ride was a real challenge, the views were incredible, and lunch was marvelous! Imagine arriving in this small town, on a bicycle, and finding, in the middle of a side street, your lunch set up on a table for 20! The ride offered stunning views of the surrounding countryside — fields being worked, cows grazing, and grapes growing. The lunch of local specialites, served by the cook and her husband, was the crowning touch to the morning’s climb.