JAMES HENRY RIVER JOURNEYS CELEBRATES 37th SEASON ON THE ROGUE RIVER

Mozart, Merlot and California Gourmet Cuisine

         BOLINAS, CA — For those adventurers, who are young at heart and looking to explore one of the first Federally enacted “Wild and Scenic Rivers” wilderness rivers of Southern Oregon travellers need search no further than this West Marin County family-run company. James Henry River Journeys is revving up to begin its 37th season of action-packed vacations interwoven with the themes of wine tasting, gourmet wilderness cuisine, classical, Celtic music and/or natural history. These four and five-day river trips, operated in late May through September on Oregon’s lush and frothy Rogue are ideal for first-timers as well as veteran river runners. Singles, couples, and families are welcome and there are nine
departures planned for 2009.

        OREGON — The 4 & 5-day Rogue River trips travel through the richly forested Siskiyou Mountains of southern Oregon, alternating quiet stretches with challenging, yet safe, whitewater rapids. One of the original National Wild Rivers protected by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the Rogue is an enchanting haunt. This is river touring at its best. Rafters spend four-five days on the water, bedding down for the night at peaceful, scenic riverside campsites.  The adjacent Rogue River trail provides inspiration for hikers and runners alike. Whether it’s the verdant fir and madrone forests, the abundance of wildlife along the shore, or the frolicksome nature of its rapids, the Rogue offers something for everyone.

ROGUE RIVER

         JHRJ kicks off their Rogue season with one Four-day Camping Adventure, May 30-June 4  with the veteran crew providing their culinary and story-telling talents. You’ll run exciting rapids by day, gaze at stars, observe the flight of raptors, eat wild edibles and hear some Indian tales around the campfire. Adults, $845; Youths 17 and under, $635.
         On our all new Rogue Hiking, Rafting and Photography Trip on June 6-10, photo instructor, Jimmy Katz will instruct participants in landscape, outdoor portraiture and adventure sports photography. Additional time is planned for exploring side creeks, intimate grottos, and keynote rapids. Photographers working in all medium (film or digital) are welcome. There will be a review session at the end of the trip. Warm days and mild evenings make this a terrific time to be journeying down the Rogue. With the river uncrowded and wildflowers carpeting the hillsides, this is the best time to be on the Rogue. The trip fare is: $860 for adults and $760 for youths.

“There is no greater magic than the blending of classical music and exquisite wines and cuisine with the sound of the river.” On June 12-15, you can join a Baroque Music and Gourmet California Cusine Trip ideal for the whole family. After a challenging day running the rapids, violinist Shira Kammen and her guitar/recorder accompanist Jim Oakden will entertain river travelers with a spirited medley of Irish folk tunes, Renaissance and Baroque pieces. While we sit on the river’s edge, we’ll go on a wine-tasting adventure from the fresh whites of the Loire Valley, through the exotic reds of the Rhône and Languedoc, and finally to the lovely structured wines of Bordeaux. Winemaker, Michael Havens will facilitate the event and turn trip participants onto his favorite artisan French wineries. The trip fare is $895 for adults and $765 for youths.

        On June 19-22, JHRJ will host its annual 4-day Classical Music, Wine Tasting,
Gourmet California Cuisine and Natural History Trip. A lively duet of versatile instrumentalists— flautist Rachel Streeter and harp accompanist, Laura Zaerr— will warm your evenings along the Rogue with concerts featuring Baroque melodies and Celtic tunes. Oregon’s acclaimed winemaker, Steve Doerner of Oregon’s Cristom Vineyards will present his elegant and subtle Pinot Noirs, refreshing Pinot Gris, rich and balanced Syrahs, and intriguing Viogniers to complement the robust cuisine. Trip participants can go for walks with naturalist John Kipping and learn about the native usages of plants, the art of tracking animals, and the behavior of black bears, eagles, osprey, great blue herons and a host of other critters that inhabit this remarkable canyon. The cost is $895 for adults and $795 for youths.

        Adventurers, who missed out on the May-June offerings, will have additional opportunities to float the Rogue when the River Journeys’ crew returns from Alaska. On the August 28-31, you Rogue Summer Romp, you can join Jimmy Katz and his veteran crew and soak in the heat of the Oregon summer. On these August days, immersing oneself in the river or swimming when one gets to camp is one of the great joys of river travel. This is a perfect date to squeak in a family summer vacation with family and friends. Adult fare is $845; Youth, $745.

         Designed for travelers with just a little more time to experience the Rogue, our
Winetasting and Elegant Cuisine departure on September 9-13, ($975/$830) features a layover day so that trip participants can spend a bit more time doing some off-river exploring of the enchanting trail and side creeks. We’ll have some unique dining fare for this trip and carefully pare our varietals with our entrées. A September 10-13, 4-day excursion runs concurrently with the trip that begins a day earlier. The cost of the 4-day trip is $875 for adults and $775 for youths.

        On September 16-20 James Henry’s annual Mozart and Merlot and Gourmet California Cuisine Trip is offered. Trip participants can listen to the spirited melodies of guest violinist Shira Kammen while we dine on wild salmon, chicken fajitas, pasta primavera, and Lamb Tagine. River sojourners will enjoy the gutsy Zinfandels, toasty Chardonnays, voluptuous Cabernet Sauvignons of Sonoma County’s Ravenswood Winery. This is also a great opportunity to take advantage of the of the inspiring Rogue River trail (for hikers or runners) as the days a bit cooler for hiking. The Cost is $975 for adults and youths.

        The season finale ends with a our Fall Rafting Journey scheduled for September 23-26 ($845/$745). When the leaves are getting tawny and the salmon are running, it’s time to join the JHRJ crew a final fall run down the enchanting Rogue. A true celebration of fall!

        The price of these Rogue River trips include all on-river gourmet meals, services of professional guides, musicians, winemakers, oar, paddle rafts, inflatable kayaks, and transportation from Galice, Oregon and return.
         For further information and a free color 2009 brochure contact James Henry River
Journeys, Box 807-PR, Bolinas, CA 94924; or 1 (800) 786-1830 or (415) 868-1836.
E-Mail: jhrj@riverjourneys.com <mailto:jhrj@riverjourneys.com>  Y
ou may also visit their website at: www.riverjourneys.com <http://www.riverjourneys.com> .

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