Posts Tagged ‘family vacations’

Songer Whitewater’s New Basecamp

Sunday, May 15th, 2011

From our humble beginnings in 1978 in a small cottage along the banks of the New River, to becoming one of West Virginia’s leading whitewater outfitters, Songer Whitewater has strived to share our love for the river. It’s been our lifestyle, our vocation but mostly importantly, our passion. That passion has driven us to share our culture with you.

2011 has been and will be a year of exciting change for Songer Whitewater. We’ve joined Adventures on The Gorge. Our new home is a world-class Adventure Resort located on the rim of the New River Gorge. You may wonder, “Just what is an Adventure Resort?” It’s where adventure and comfort join to form life-long memories. “All the adventure you can dream of-All the comforts you could desire”.

Our new home boasts 4 restaurants, 3 bars, a wide range of lodging options from rustic camping to deluxe vacation rentals, top-notch facilities and plenty of adventure. Our Adventure Resort is your personal playground, near Fayetteville, voted “Coolest Small Town in America” by Budget Travel Magazine. Our “On the Gorge” campus is nestled in the heart of everything that’s great about the New River Gorge.

We will be located next to TreeTops Canopy Tour, named one of the top 10 places to zip by USA Today and Gravity Ziplines, one of the fastest and longest zip line courses in the East. As part of our move, we also have on-site mountain biking and paintball. Nearby you can enjoy rock climbing & rappelling, kayaking, fishing and ATV tours.

The biggest change for 2011 is that we’ll start all of our trips at our Adventures on the Gorge headquarters on Ames Heights Road in Lansing, WV, just 2 miles from the New River Gorge Bridge. You will continue to see your favorite guides, staff and purple rafts when you raft with Songer Whitewater.

Our commitment to personalized service and to our relationships with you, our guest, will never change. These principles have been critical to our success over the last 25 years. We look forward to your visit to our new home at “Adventures on the Gorge”. We think you’ll be as excited as we are to see how much has changed and how much has stayed the same.

Call us at 877-237-3492 or email us at raft@songerwhitewater.com then get ready for your

 “Adventure on the Gorge”.

(Just tell them Len sent you!)

Len Hanger

Vice President

Songer Whitewater

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Posted in Area Information, Behind the Scenes, cabin vacations, Gauley River Rafting, mountain biking, New River Rafting, rock climbing, Things to Do, Uncategorized | No Comments »

How to Have the Best 4th of July in the History of the Earth

Monday, June 28th, 2010

So how do you have the best 4th of July in the history of the world? You spend the weekend with us!

Lawn chairs and snow cones. Scavenger hunt and cotton candy. Families and candy apples. Some things go hand in hand. Songer and fireworks have been a great combination for the last 7 years. We take perfecting our Independence Day celebration very seriously.

The lawn at Songer is turned into a play ground for the day: inflatable games, dunking booth, door prizes, scavenger hunt and music all afternoon and evening Saturday, July 3rd. (yeah, we know it’s a day early but Saturday is the best day to pack in all the fun. You can rest on the 4th).

Independence Day Celebration at Songer Whitewater

Independence Day Celebration at Songer Whitewater

So in addition to all the games and fun, we are still hitting the river, watching trip videos & chowing down on a southern style cookout. Watermelon anyone?

It's not complete until you have a slice of watermelon!

It's not complete until you have a slice of watermelon!

One of the key characters to the weekend is DJ Judd. Not only does he bring all the games and the cotton candy machine, but he MC’s the afternoon keeping all the activities rolling right up until the fireworks show.

The evening will lead into two fabulous, well known, local bands tearing up the High Water Lounge. Don’t be surprised if they dance barefoot.

So we have some whitewater, we have some games, we have some prizes to just give away (all you have to do is sit there) and we hope to have you!

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A Family Vacation Whitewater Rafting While Looking for Bald Eagles

Monday, June 7th, 2010

West Virginia is seeing a fast growing population of Bald Eagles.  I just saw one on a recent raft trip in the New River Gorge and it make me want to go and read about the newest addition to the Bald Eagle population.  With a 1,000 ft gorge, home to cliff top after cliff top, it’s the perfect environment for the All-American bird.

There have been almost daily sightings on the Middle New River section where we raft with our family trips.  This is a float section with class 2 whitewater and is perfect for ages 6 and up (making you the coolest parents around when you book it, BTW).

The New River Gorge is 1,000 ft deep with cliff outcroppings along the way.

The New River Gorge is 1,000 ft deep with cliff outcroppings along the way.

Binoculars are a must!

The most abundant kind of wildlife you see on a whitewater rafting trip are the birds: swallows dipping in front of the raft and zipping away, the sound of woodpeckers pounding away in the distance, vultures soaring around the top of the gorge, cardinals (the WV state bird), hawks & ospreys looking for the next fish dinner.

I see a field trip in your kids’ future.  What a great “summer-school” activity.

Good luck birding on your trip!

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5 Questions You Need To Ask When You Take Your Family Rafting

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

“I’m sooo bored!”

Guess what, parents? You can totally shock the h*ll out of  your kids on summer vacation with three words: white water rafting.  (I know that’s kind of a strong way to put it, but it’s true).

Also, the word bored is outlawed here. No whining.

Surf west virginia, y'all!

Surf west virginia, y'all!

And when I’m talking about those three words,”white water rafting”, you know I don’t mean the lazy river kind.  It’s very cool for families, kids love it, and, well, so do we.

Here are 5 common questions we get from folks booking:

1. Which river and section is right for my family?

Kids 6 to 12—The Middle New River.  Fun splashy rapids, great scenery, lots of wildlife (we saw 2 bald eagles this week), as well as creepy crawly things kids love. Do it in a raft or do it in a duckie.   Kids 12 and older—The Lower New River. Great for first timers and experienced folks. The Lower is a wide part of the river at the beginning, but the canyon walls crowd in later on. The gradient of the river gets steeper, making this a fun ride of roller coaster rapids and whitewater waves.  It’s where the big kids play.

2. How do I get there from here (because if I hear “are we there yet” one more time I’m going to [insert your own version of insanity here])?

We’re actually the easiest place to get to in West Virginia.  Seriously. We are within 8 hours or less of most of the eastern U.S.  Just don’t confuse us with Virginia; we’re a bit touchy about that.  Amtrak goes right through the New River Gorge, and if you like, we can pick you up at one of the stations next to the river. In a hurry? Fly to Yeager Airport in Charleston WV (CRW) and rent a car from Enterprise (we have a deal w’ them- call us about it).

3. Where do we stay?

Got you covered. We have it all, from camping to deluxe cabins at Cabins on Miller Ridge, to B&B’s and hotels.  We take the “staying” part seriously; the lodging totally makes (or breaks) the vacation.  You get the idea.

4. What else is there to do in your area?

Here? Well, we have a National Park and 2 State Parks within 20 minutes. We go rock climbing, horseback riding, and ATV riding, just to name a few (and they pick you up—no driving). We have Tamarac, a beautiful juried arts center.  Theatre West Virginia, an outdoor ampitheater.  And lots more, of course.  And hey, didn’t I say no whining??

5. What’s the fun factor?

Pretty high for the kids.  Like, off the charts, talk about it for the rest of the year, can’t wait to go back levels of fun.  No-brainer fun.  Pry the smile off your face with a crowbar fun.  You will be the guaranteed hero in your family for setting up this vacation.

Just don’t tell them how easy it was.

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Summer Season Kick Off: Memorial Day in West Virginia

Monday, May 31st, 2010

Spring is rolling into Summer, quickly.  Memorial Day is here and starts the summer season, and our country honors those service men and women who have fallen by celebrating our freedoms.  Because of their sacrifice, we get to relax and enjoy living in the most wonderful country ever created.

So, what are doing for Memorial Day? Vegging on the couch? Watching the grass grow? Does not sound like much fun to me. You either? Get out have some fun! Enjoy the outdoors!

New River Gorge National River

New River Gorge National River

Where can you go to have some early summer fun? The New River Gorge offers lots of options. Rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking in the national park, bass fishing and whitewater rafting are just some the activities you have in West Virginia. Why the New River Gorge? Here’s why I like to utilize the park.

Rock Climbing has beginner routes for a true novice like me. Yes, I am a true goober at climbing. Each time I have tried climbing the guides have shown me how to get to the top of the wall. Coaching me on hand and foot holds every inch of the way. Once on top, I have been known to shout, “I am King of the World!” Well, not really, but that is how I felt.

The New River Gorge has been home to mining, timbering, and railroading for over a hundred years. Now it is protected as a great natural resource for future generations. Roads left behind from these activities make cool mountain bike trails. My personal favorite trail is from Cunard to Thurmond. Old mining ghost towns of a bygone era offer a glimpse of long abandoned homes and businesses. As I travel along this trail, the New River slides by on its journey to the sea. I like to take time to stop at Surprise Rapid to watch the rafts blast the big waves and listen to the shouts of excitement. Taking a fishing pole along to catch a bass or two has produced a dinner of fresh fish (you have to know how to cook ‘em). Don’t forget a license.

Over 30 years ago, I discovered whitewater rafting on the New.  I’d been canoeing for years on the Upper New on the easy parts. When I got to Thurmond, we were told you can’t take a canoe past here. “So what do you do?” Have to take a raft. “Ok, cool. Uh, where do you get one of those?” Well, found one of those and after one trip… hooked!

After all these years, I still love the New. I really like big waves and holes. No bigger water than the New River. Surprise, the Keeneys, Dudleys Dip and Fayette Station always get me pumped.

So you hanging on the couch this Memorial Day? Watching the grass grow? Not me, I will be somewhere in the New River Gorge. Hope to see you there!

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Mother’s Day White Water Rafting? Yup.

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010

Moms rock.

They also raft.  On white water.  In West Virginia.  Like, on the New River Gorge.  So that whole image of Mom being kind of, um, not too exciting?  Wrong.

Butterflies? Flowers? Must be Mother's Day in the New River Gorge!

Butterflies? Flowers? Must be Mother's Day in the New River Gorge!

Moms go rafting like anyone else.  Think of replacing the idea of soccer mom with the idea of adventure mom, and you’re on the right track.  Here are some mom-type facts and opinions about white water rafting that you might not know…

  • Songer Whitewater?  It’s co-owned by a mom.
  • We have at least 5 moms working on the Gauley River, the most difficult section of whitewater we run.
  • Mother’s Day is traditionally one of our best days on the water.  Lots of guests, and springtime at its height in the gorge.
  • Rafting makes people happy.  And to quote an old phrase, “When mama’s happy, everybody’s happy!”
  • The woman who started Grandparent’s Day is from Oak Hill, WV, just over the new river gorge bridge and down the road from Songer.  (Okay, that technically doesn’t have anything to do with Mother’s Day, but c’mon.)
  • A good Mother’s Day gift is any one that makes mom feel alive.  A little adventure vacation fits that bill.
  • Moms are great paddlers; most of them practiced on y’all!  Ha!  LOL.
  • There’s a great surf spot on the Gauley called Hungry Mother.
  • If you take mom rafting, you still have to do all the dishes on mother’s day (hint: use paper plates!  It’s not the greenest way to go, but they make plates that you can compost.

And there you have it.  Plenty of reasons why moms make great rafters.  Stay tuned for the Father’s Day version, coming up in a month or so.

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Confessions Of A Raft Company Owner

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

Our family has been rafting together for 29 years.  Holy.  Moly.

Over the years, we’ve met great people, good times, family memories (we have a pic of Melanie and Brian bouncing on Green River rafts in their underwear).  When we started rafting in West Virginia, there were four “big rafting companies” and a few small ones.  Songer was definitely small.

We used to call it “Susie’s Home for Wayward Boys”.  Now our guide and support staff have evolved into a mix of male and female, coming from all walks of life and all over the world.  They look like the old guys, they even sound like them, but times do change.  What doesn’t change EVER is it’s still “Susie’s Home for Everyone”.  Songer was, is, and always will be a family vibe.

Recently, here in the New River and Gauley River area, most of the outfitters have merged together/been taken over to form larger companies.  In a way it sounds very nice—they’re offering restaurants and other amenities.  And, while the New River Gorge is big, this is still a small-ish place.  We all know one another, and even though these are some really big changes, it’s nice to see our friends (who are our competitors, too) getting along together.  Seriously.

But here’s something I really feel strongly about people knowing:  Songer is not part of a merger.  We’re still “small”.

Why is that cool?

Well, I think it’s because everyone knows everyone. (Some of them by smell.  Kidding!).  Walking around here is like walking through a family album.  And I know the difference when I show up somewhere and it’s a family, and when I show up somewhere and I’m lost in the shuffle.  Frankly, it sucks- just my opinion.  There’s more stuff at a bigger place, but I’ll take the personal, little places every time.

It’s not for everyone, I know.  Which is fine.  It takes all kinds in this world, and there are some people who want the big place, and always will.  If you want a gourmet meal with your rafting trip when you come to the New River Gorge, you can get it.  But we’re not that.

We’re the backyard barbecue.  Friends, family, good times, whitewater.  A simple recipe, really.  We don’t want to be the biggest.  We’re just us.

Like I said, it’s not for everyone.  I’m O.K. with that.

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21 cool things about taking a vacation to a cabin in the New River Gorge

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009

Just off the top of my head…

  • Sunsets viewed from a cabin porch
  • Exploring the New River Gorge National Park
  • Cookout!
  • Walking out of the door and into the woods
  • Being close to so much to do
  • Relax and take it slow
  • Party!
  • Soaking in the hot tub ahhhhhhhhhhh
  • Walking from the hot outdoors into the cool AC
  • Picnic lunches with lots of good stuff that you never really get to eat at home
  • Raft trip!
  • Seeing the kids run in to choose their bed for the vacation
  • Breakfast at the crack of noon
  • Seeing about a trillion stars at night
  • Nap!
  • Letting the sounds of the forest wake you up in the morning
  • Playing card games, board games, or doing puzzles in the living room
  • Having a cold beer on the porch
  • Ghost stories!
  • Staying up late (or turning in early- your choice)
  • Blowing off everything to stay another day

Can you think of any more?  Leave a reply with something we left out.

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Examples of how one phone call, one reservationist, one outfitter can arrange it all. . .

Monday, May 18th, 2009
Lower Railroad Rapid

Lower Railroad Rapid

New River Rafting with Add-Adventure Package 

Mike wanted to bring his 2 children (aged 17 & 22) with a friend of theirs.  He wanted a rafting trip with an extra half day adventure. They needed a hotel and wanted to be close to the adventure center check-in spot.   While Mike had rafted before, the children had not.  

Trip arrangement: The group arrived in the area on a Wednesday night and stayed at a local hotel.  The next morning, they arrived at Songer 45 minutes before their trip time for their full day raft trip on the Lower New River.  The trip which included lunch, lasted about 5 hours on the river with their guide, who showed them all of the skills needed to have a fun trip. 

Mike and his family were a small group, so to fill the boat, another couple joined them. Cool, new friends!  A standard raft trip is an 8 person boat plus your guide. All of our New River Gorge trips includes a guide who fills you in on the history of the area, once a booming coal mining community. Some of the ruins of these long abandoned towns can be seen from the river.

After the raft trip, many exciting stories were exchanged. All true? Maybe!?! Next up, Dinner! The group had dinner scheduled at the Songer outdoor pavilion: BBQ Chicken, corn on the cob, baked potato, salad, drinks & dessert. Food always tastes better sitting on a picnic table. Don’t you think so? 

Every family is concerned about their budget, to help with this, they reserved one of the Rustic Cabins on the campground for the second night. Comfy lodging where you bring your own linens but located near the bathhouse.  This easy access to the adventure center worked very well, as day two was an ATV ride on the Hatfield & McCoy Trails. After a hearty full  Country Breakfast Buffet, it is off to the trail ride. Happy Trails ATV Rides picked them up and shuttled them to the trailhead. Their half day trip through the area home to the famous feud was quite the adventure. Once they arrived back at Songer Whitewater, they still had time for an easy drive home.

New River Camping Package

A young adult group that vacations with us every year loves to camp. Sitting around a campfire exchanging stories is the catalyst for a fun evening. Their weekend is to have a relaxing day to see the local area, whitewater rafting on day two & a day to drive home.  The Camping Package is ideal for this group.

Arriving on Thursday night for camping through the weekend, Friday is spent lounging around camp, then going to Summersville Lake for an afternoon swim, everyone chips to cook on Friday night. Saturday morning is a hearty breakfast before the full day New River Gorge raft trip with lunch. Dinner tonight is at the Songer Outdoor Pavilion, no cooking after a big water day on the river. Yeah!!  The time spent after the river trip and dinner is watching the video of the days trip, reliving and laughing about the days spills and thrills! Saturday night is an active one with cold drinks and live music at the High Water Lounge, located on the Songer Whitewater Basecamp. Sunday is the day to head for home and back to the real world.

Both groups had one thing in common, everything arranged in one phone call! Their reservationist setup all of these activities saving everyone lots of headaches. Do you have vacation time but aren’t sure how to setup a multi-day adventure?  Contact us, we have over 30 years planning vacations for people like you!!

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