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.