I am only going to say this once. O.K, I may say it again next year to remind you. . . The first Monday of Fall Gauley Season (first Mon. after Labor Day) is THE absolute BEST time to take a Songer Whitewater Upper Gauley trip. And it’s for 3 reasons:
1. Some of the most amazing, experienced rafting guests hit the parking lot at Summersville Dam on this day.
2. It’s early enough in the season to skip the wetsuit and sunbathe (or watch those sunbathing) at Sweet's Falls.
3. It's a secret. It's not crowded. We get a relaxed river pace and take some extra time for lunch at Sweet's!
This past weekend was the first of 7 Gauley River rafting weekends. Friday and Saturday we hosted many long-time guests such as Chris Brubeck, likely to be voted “Songer's #1 Rafting Guest,” to help bring in the new season. He was a big help to me on Saturday with a group of 4 that had never been rafting before (we recommend some rafting experience before you take on the Upper Gauley). With Chris as the 5th paddler, we had an awesome trip and hopefully got some folks hooked on the rafting hobby.
I finished the weekend with a belly full or Rump Roast that was smoked all day while we were out on the river. Danny, Joe, Keith and their virgin rafter, Ricky, provided a cookout for their guides and other rafting guests. This was their 13th year and they have had all the senior guides at some point or another. I was super pleased to be taking these guys out that day. Thanks again fellas for a great Upper Gauley run!!
Each weekend Songer has a contest for the best Pillow Rock Rapid run. This weekend’s winner is still to be determined and I will let you know just as soon as I know. I had a moment of great appreciation for where I work this past Monday. As we watched our raft trip video following the trip, a call came into the office from a guest that weekend asking who had won the Pillow Rock contest! How cool is that.
Is there a masseuse in the house?
Melanie
Senior guide
