Sheri's trip to New Orleans

In following with the sprit that helped Sheri establish her river rafting company Sheri traveled to New Orleans after hurricane Katrina hit. Here is her account of what she saw and her attempts to help.

I had been to Bourbon Street a couple times-my entire Louisiana experience. And now, here I was on Canal Street dressed in knee-high irrigation boots, elbow-length rubber gloves, a respirator and safety goggles Just a few days prior, I was glued to the TV set as Katrina blew out levees and devastated lives, all in real time. As the havoc tore apart families and the rescuers gave it their all, I couldn't watch it anymore. I jumped online and volunteered with the Red Cross and the Humane Society of the U.S. I offered our river rafting boats, trailers and trucks. The Humane Society called me back first, and I packed up and drove 2,000 miles to New Orleans.

And there I stood. I have spent many years in search & rescue, am an old EMT, and Veterinary Technician. I've taught Red Cross First Aid for 25 years but nothing prepared me for the sights, sounds & smells. The silence of this abandoned city resembled a science fiction movie. Boats cruised the flooded streets, calling and listening for a response. Where the flooding was receding, it left abandoned boats stranded in the mud and National Guard Hummers veering around fallen trees and upside down cars. Then there were the homes. We had lists from people who had called the number on the TV screen begging someone to save their 4-legged family members, giving permission to break-in any way we could. And we did.

Click here for the rest of the story and more pictures.

Gates of Lodore Canyon History

Gates of Lodore Facts

• River: The Green River
• Rapid Rating: Class II-IV
• Put in: The Gates of Lodore Ranger Station in the Dinosaur National Monument, 3 hours north from Vernal, Utah and about 1 hour from Maybell, Colorado.
• Take-out: Split Mountain boat ramp, 45 minutes from Vernal, Utah.
• River Miles: 45
• Number of rapids: 11 named rapids along with many other smaller un-named rapids
• First to run The Gates of Lodore: Fur trapper, General William Ashley in 1825

In 1869 Andrew Hall, a member of John Wesley Powell's expedition, named The Gates of Lodore after a poem called, "The Cataract of Lodore," by Robert Southey. The Canyon of Lodore lies in the upper end of the Dinosaur National Monument. The Monument was created in 1915 by President Woodrow Wilson, and in 1938 was enlarged to include this incredible canyon as well as the Yampa Canyon. Lodore has an exciting history which includes trappers, river runners, and outlaws who were traveling on their way to a nearby hideout at Browns Park. For more information click here.

Super Guide Highlight~ Rob Ho

This year Rob was voted as the "Best Overall Guide" by his fellow Sheri Griffith Expeditions' guides. Rob has been with SGE for more than 8 years and guiding for 14. Rob's amazing charm, knowledge, and athletic ability make him one of the most requested guides in our company.

He is an Animated Whitewater Junkie. After running the rivers in the southwest all summer, he heads to West Virginia for "Gauley Season." During the winter months, Rob can be found at one of Salt Lake's ski resorts playing in his second favorite kind of precipitation-snow.

Of course, during the summer months he will most often be found on SGE's 4-day Cataract Canyon trips on the Colorado River. Rob is the top J-Rig driver at SGE, but also has the ability to run any river stretch with any craft we can throw at him.

• Rob's Favorite River Meal: Grilled Steak with Rob's Secret Potatoes
• Rob's Favorite Hike:Indian Creek in Cataract Canyon
• Rob's Favorite River Stretch: 4-day Cataract Canyon at 50,000 CFS or higher
  • Why: There is nothing like Cataract at it's peak-BIG WATER!.
• Rob's River Talent:Everything-you name it, he is an expert on it!
• Rob's Nickname: Ho

2006 Brochures are in!

Call now to get your free copy of the 2006 River Journeys brochure. See new pictures, trips, prices, launches dates and more.

Quotes

"From Cathy, Karen & Brenda at the office to our guides, Jose, Arlo, Ho, Lor & Chris on the river, our first rafting trip to Utah will always be memorable, and not our last! If we were to have only one wish, it would be to someday be able to return to the hospitality and friendship that was offered to us…" ~ Patty & Mike Poupart, Cataract Canyon, May 28, 2005

"Everything about the trip was great and memorable…the flight to the put-in, the Green River during a nice high flow period, the scenery, the inflatable kayak "duckies", the food, and most of all our guides from your staff. Trip leader Laura obviously took her responsibilities seriously and made sure we all had a fun and safe trip. John was very impressive in his graciousness and knowledge of the ecology of the canyon, and Faye was simply utterly charming in every respect. All of our guides participated in a wonderfully positive way with our trip, and were able to not merely respect our wishes for special spiritual moments and ceremonies, but to join in and add immensely to our experience. I can't praise them enough!" ~ John "Zeb" Norris, Desolation Canyon, June 19, 2005