Family Rafting s

Among Sheri Griffith Expeditions' favorite and most popular trips are the Family-Only Vacations through Desolation Canyon on the Green River, and Fisher Towers on the Colorado River. SGE was one of the first companies to start running Family-Only Vacations almost 25 years ago. SGE hires family-friendly guides, many of whom were 'kids' on some of our earlier trips. Kids generally love rafting, and it's one of few guaranteed vacation hits for teens.

Desolation Canyon has something for everyone in your family. The canyon offers excellent inflatable kayaking for adventurous teens and adults. For the younger ones, the gigantic sandy beaches are enormous playgrounds complete with a personal sandbox-and don't forget the water games. Parents and grandparents will enjoy both of the above as well as some private time while the guides entertain the kids with a variety of fun games.

Desolation also offers unique hikes and opportunities to learn about natural and human history. The entire family will be awed by the 5000 foot cliffs and spectacular canyon walls. You will get a chance to learn about some of the famous past residents of the canyon including Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Desolation Canyon offers the perfect blend of savoring laughs with good friends & family and sharing quiet moments.

2005 Family Only Trips

• June 12, 19, 26
• July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
• August 7, 14

• June 15, 22, 29
• July 6, 13, 20, 27
• August 3, 10, 17

Skinny Tire Festival

Sheri Griffith Expeditions is a proud sponsor of the Skinny Tire Festival in Moab, Utah. The Skinny Tire Festival is an annual fundraiser to benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation. This year's event is March 4-7, 2005.

Many cyclists know about Moab. They know it as the home of the Slickrock Trail, the Mecca of mountain bikers. What many don't realize is that Moab has some of the best road biking in the world. There are hundreds of miles of paved roads in and out of the world-class scenery that is known by every adventure seeker globally.

The four rides of the Festival highlight Moab's different riding opportunities. The first two days follow the mighty Colorado River corridor, both up-stream and downstream. The next two days leave the valley and climb the beautiful canyon roads into Redrock country.

"Lor's knowledge of hang-gliders, calcium deposit pressure lines and hoodoos was very extensive." -John Helenek, August Cataract Canyon trip

Super Guide Highlight~

Taylor 'Lor' Lawrence

The "Super Guide" this month is Lor, Sheri Griffith Expeditions' always mellow, life-loving river sage. Lor has been with SGE for 4 years and guiding for 7. His unique humor and constant positive attitude make him one of the most personable and attentive guides on the river. Lor's amazing story telling ability is always on full display as he fills his river guests with a variety of stories from his never-ending world travels.

Lor is one of SGE's Super Guides because he will keep you constantly guessing & laughing and always having a good time. Lor can be found most weeks on the 5 day Cataract Canyon trip, but will venture off to Westwater and Desolation Canyons every now and then.

• Lor's Favorite River Food: His famous cottage cheese dip with horseradish and secret spices, served with crackers
• Lor's Favorite Hike: The Anasazi ruins at Lathrop in Cataract Canyon
• Lor's Favorite River Stretch: 5 days in Cataract Canyon
  • Why: The serenity of rowing a boat through Canyonlands
• Nickname: "Lor" - short for Taylor
• Lor's Most Famous River Talent: Juggling Sticks (a MUST see!)

Pay for Your River Trip with Your Airline Savings! Delta Airlines has increased its services to Salt Lake City. In doing so it has lowered the cost of most flights to Salt Lake from the East Coast. Book your Delta flights now and use your savings towards your Sheri Griffith Expeditions rafting adventure!

"The Cataract Canyon trip is an experience we will always remember. You guys are certainly top notch and Sheri should be proud to have you as members of her team. Brenda, our leader (heat to you), Lor the story teller (was it really petrified ice), and Nima, an amazing guide from Nepal teaching us American history.

Thanks to all three of you for making our trip one we will never forget, one that will remain at the top of our life's experiences. Incidentally, now whenever I'm in the canyons of New York City I look up and am taken back to those amazing days floating on the Colorado." -The Comunale Family, July Cataract Canyon trip