After waffling back and forth, I chose Western River Expeditions 4-Day Green River Rafting Trip. There were two main determining factors:

- The date of the trip: July 9 which fit everyone’s schedule but another grandson who we have to leave behind (sorry, Jordan); and

- What Western River included: the cots and sleeping bags. Almost all the operators provide tents but some charge extra for the sleeping bags, and the costs were mounting up. I also thought that a first camping experience would be nice on cots rather than sleeping on the ground.

Other considerations: the Green River is warmer than the Colorado River; the Grand Canyon trip was too long, difficult and expensive; there is a short, easy hike to outlaw hideouts that sounds like fun; Western carries 2-person inflatable kayaks; and the rapids are considered Class II-III – Moderate.

Air? “ex-Marine,” additional Dad and four (4) grandchildren will fly from Chicago to Salt Lake City. Two grandchildren live in Edmond, Oklahoma which means I will do an air-shuttle service, fly to OKC the night before, and fly with THEM to Salt Lake City. Are we getting complicated enough? Then, to really throw a monkey-wrench into the equation, I booked flights into Salt Lake City at 7:30pm thinking it read 7:30AM! (Space Cadet!) This ranks right up there with one of the biggest travel mistakes I’ve ever made…and you don’t think United will let me change them…not without a $100/person AND the additional amount that the fares went up… There was no choice but to leave the flights as scheduled.

Hotels? Need a hotel/motel in Moab, Utah for before Rafting starts. Moab, Utah Visitor Information has a wonderful site that will answer all your questions. Not only about Moab lodging, but everything around the area. This was a “no-brainer.”

Transport to and from Moab? More difficult. Didn’t want to rent a car for the four-hour drive from Salt Lake City; commuter air was too expensive; AMTRAK and Greyhound schedules didn’t work. This meant hiring a private “limo” (private van) service to go both ways.

What else?Everything else was included: All meals (they do all the cooking); scenic flight from Moab to the put-in on the river; cots (very nice for 1st time campers), tents, sleeping bags, chairs and water-resistant bags.

Travel Insurance?Extremely necessary for 9 persons. In case of accident and for cancellation purposes in case someone becomes ill before the trip. ……
Packing lists and departure information arrived from Western River and we were ready to go…