Nantahala News » Vacations

Nantahala River Rafting For Memorial Day Holiday 2010

admin — Wed, 26 May 2010 00:50:32 +0000

Rafting trips on the Nantahala River will be available from outfitters on Memorial Day weekend as we expect many visitors to the Nantahala Gorge this year. Visitors and locals will have the option of choosing from large outfitters like the Nantahala Outdoor Center or for a more personal and affordable trip, rafters may choose a company like Brookside Campground and Rafting (brooksiderafting.com or 1-800-848-RAFT).

The Nantahala is a perfect location for any group or family to enjoy the Memorial Day weekend as there are countless outdoor activities in which one can partake after finishing with the river. Many people come to camp for a few days or just stop long enough to enjoy the river for a few hours and soak in the beauty of the Nanatahala National Forest.

Make your plans today for a whitewater weekend and call an outfitter about prices and services. Rafting companies like Brookside offer drop off and pick up services for their rafters, as well as, guided trips for the inexperienced or tote-and-float rentals for rafters that want to go at their own pace.

Plan your Memorial Day weekend rafting experience now!!

Yellowstone National Park – A Must Visit for All Outdoor Enthusiasts

admin — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 04:51:09 +0000

If you are an outdoor enthusiast then one place you need to visit is Yellowstone National Park. The first time you drive into this amazing piece of American history you will be absolutely amazed. The views of the Rocky Mountains covered with wildlife is something that you will never forget. Do not be surprised if you have to avoid a few Buffalo as soon as you enter the park as they commonly walk down the road.

As you drive through Yellowstone National Park you are going to find many unique sights. If you are lucky you will have the opportunity to see a Grizzly Bear or Black Bear up close and personal. Anyone who frequents Yellowstone knows just have exciting it can be to see a Grizzly Bear for the first time. I would not suggest getting out of your car if you do happen to stumble upon a Grizzly Bear as you do not want to challenge nature.

If you enjoy rivers and fly fishing then the Yellowstone is a treat for you. Fly fishing for Cutthroat or Brown trout is plentiful throughout the park. One of the best places to catch some beautiful Cutthroat Trout is in the Lamar River Valley. When you land a 15 inch “Cutty” you will know exactly what I am talking about. Expect to see snow in Yellowstone for much of the year and do not be surprised to get a quick dusting of snow in the summer months.

Author: Jesse Wojdylo

Dragon’s Breath Flightline – The World’s Best Zip Line in Labadee, Haiti?

admin — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:42:05 +0000

The Dragon’s Breath Flightline is Haiti’s newest outdoor adventure. The 2,633 foot cable zip line allows users to take in the aerial views of Labadee’s coral reefs and amazing blue water. The video above is a depiction of what it feels like to travel down the zip line. When visiting Labadee there are several new attractions including the Dragon’s Plaza and Labadee Town Square. Both of these locations are great places for guests enjoy Haitian culture while also visiting shops and cultural shows.

Also in Labadee is the Dragon’s Tail Coaster which offers a high speed ride through 2,232 feet of rock formations and tropical flora. Make sure to hold on tight as this ride can reach high speeds that are not suitable for anyone with heart problems. All of these outdoor options are available with through Royal Carribean as Labadee is one of their many private beach destinations. Most of the enhancements to this destination have been done since 2007 so you are going to see the most up-to-date outdoor attractions and adventures.

Another option for an outdoor zip line adventure is “The Extreme” in St. Maarten. This 930 foot cable zip line suspends you 120 feet in the air with some amazing views of St. Maarten. Visits to St. Maarten can also be done through Royal Carribean but make sure to do your research online for any other options that may be available.

Author: Bob Stephens

Salt River Rafting Permits Available to Raft from March 1 to May 15

admin — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:48:52 +0000

The Salt River rafting experience is one of the most exciting and adventurous whitewater rafting trips you can take in the state of Arizona. The river is accessible to rafters from March 1st to May 15th. Private rafters have until January 15th, 2010 to apply for a permit to float a portion of the Upper Salt River. The permits cost $10 and are only sold to those who are capable of proving to be qualified for challenging class III and class IV rapids.

For more information on getting a permit to float the Salt River check out this link. The White Mountain Apache Tribe also issues permits for portions of the Salt River that runs through the Fort Apache Reservation. To get information on the permit sold by the White Mountain Apache Tribe you must call this number 1-928-338-4385. This is some of the most scenic whitewater rafting in the state of Arizona so make sure to do your research and plan your trip ahead of time.

There are many whitewater rafting opportunities in the Western part of the United States but do not miss out on some of the “less challenging” rivers. Most east coasters only think about the Colorado and other big rivers but hitting class III and class IV rapids like the Salt River can prove to be a fun family vacation.

Author: Aaron White

Mountain Fly Fishing – Yellowstone River Near Livingston Montana

admin — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 19:55:56 +0000

If you are interested in mountain fly fishing then one location that is a must visit is Montana. One of the best rivers to fly fish in Montana is the Yellowstone River near Livingston, Montana. If you have seen the movie A River Runs Through It then you have seen the town of Livingston, Montana. Although not all of the fly fishing scenes were filmed on the Yellowstone River this is still a good depiction of what the area looks like.

If you plan on going fly fishing on the Yellowstone then you will probably want to take a float trip. The river is extremely wide and is not wade able. You can definitely fly fish from the banks but this will limit the amount of water you can fish on the famous Yellowstone. By going on a float trip you can easily fish 15 to 20 miles in one day. Having access to much more of the river gives you a better chance to hook that big Yellowstone Cutthroat trout.

The trout that you are going to catch in the Yellowstone River include rainbow, brown and cutthroat. Expect to catch many more brown and cutthroat than rainbows. If you do not want to take a float trip there are some feeder streams that are wade able and will allow you to hon your role casting skills. Most of these streams can be accessed from gravels roads so you should not have to hike too far.

There are many fly shops in the Livingston, Montana area should you should have very little trouble getting some advice. It is also a good idea to stop by the Fly Fishing Discovery Center to check out some of the history of fly fishing. If you do take a trip to Livingston, Montana you must grab a bit to eat at the Pickle Barrel, it is the best sandwich in the United States!

Author: Aaron White

North Carolina and Virginia Mountain Snow – Ski Resorts Open

admin — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 19:34:58 +0000

The first weekend of December has brought snow to the mountains of North Carolina and Virginia. Some areas received as much as six inches and the snow continues to fall late into Saturday evening. Many ski resorts in the area have already opened and you can expect to see many more open if the snow continues to fall throughout the weekend. The weather outlook calls for more snow so getting an early season skiing trip in is a possibility for many tourists.

If skiing is not your interest there are many other outdoor opportunities in the mountains of North Carolina and Virginia. At the present time you could see some of very amazing snow capped mountain views. The roads might not be in great shape after the snowfall but if you have a four wheel drive vehicle then you should have no problem accessing some of the more populated outdoor areas. Make sure to call ahead if you plan on taking any roads that are in the more remote parts of the mountain regions.

If the snow continues you can expect that the Blue Ridge Parkway will be closed in the higher elevation areas. If you hope to drive this scenic road you will definitely want to check ahead because there are often many sections of this parkway that closes when winter weather hits the area. For more information on the Blue Ridge Parkway make sure to check out this link. Some of the views on this parkway cold be absolutely amazing if you get to see the snow capped mountains.

Author: Lewis Issakson

Christmas at Biltmore Hits Stride in Early December

admin — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 00:13:56 +0000

Each year the Biltmore Estate celebrates Christmas in an extravagant way. Each room of the Biltmore House has a unique Christmas tree and there are lights throughout the property. The Biltmore Estate is open Christmas and New Year’s Day for those looking for a fun holiday adventure. For more information on the hours of operation of the Biltmore Estate over the Holidays check out this link.

The Biltmore Estate celebrates the Christmas holiday from November 6th, 2009 to January 3rd, 2010. Even if you have visited the Biltmore House in the past it might be an enjoyable experience to check out the property when it is celebrating for Christmas. Please understand that tickets for admission vary by time and date. It is best to go to the Biltmore Estate website to get all the pricing details.

There are many other outdoor activities in and around the Asheville area so if you are planning a vacation keeping yourself busy should not be difficult. Some outdoor activities include whitewater rafting, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, sightseeing and camping. By doing some research on each of these activities you are likely to find many opportunities for you and your family. One of the main attractions of the area during this time of year is skiing and the slopes are open very early this year so you might want to look into taking a skiing trip early in the ski season.

Author: Jesse Wojdylo