Colorado is a premier whitewater rafting destination. The tumbling waters of the Arkansas, Poudre, San Juan, Eagle, Blue, Crystal, Colorado and Roaring Fork Rivers are all stuff campfire stories are made of. But it’s not all whitewater.

There are many stretches of riffling river throughout the state to enjoy, as well. Day trips, overnights and multi-day runs ideal for ordinary river rats who want to pilot their own craft and immerse themselves in the great outdoors for relaxation instead of an adreline rush.

Nothing beats drifting through sky-high canyons with a cold drink, an old dog and a good friend. My favorite trip is one close to home. A 2-3 hour float I can take on a moment’s notice and shoehorn in between work and sundown on hot summer afternoons.

Grizzly to Two Rivers, aka Grizz, is the town run for Glenwood Springs - a 6 mile section of the Colorado River that winds through lower Glenwood Canyon. The put in is at the Grizzly Creek Recreation Area and the take out at Two Rivers Park. Both ends offer water, restrooms, parking and launches.

The river can be pretty scary for water wimps during the run-off, but if you don’t mind getting splashed, the icy wave trains are a thrill. By mid-June, it’s mostly riffles that can be negotiated in a PFD and an inner tube. Beaches and swimming holes abound and natural hot springs seep into the river as you approach Glenwood Springs.

Grizzly draws everyone with something that floats on scorching summer weekends, it’s heavily used by the many commercial rafting companies from Aspen to Vail, and it’s sandwiched between a busy Interstate highway and a railroad track. But don’t let any of that deter you. As soon as you hit the water, your attitude will ease, your stress will soften and you’ll feel like one of the lucky ones. Raft on!

See Colorado River Rafting in Grand Junction, too.

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Off the beaten path, yet civilized, LaPaz is a the largest city on the Baja Peninsula of Mexico. With about 200,000 residents, including a healthy population of Americans, this genteel metropolis is one of those rare places where the citizens generally seem content and happy to be there.

Although public works projects suffer somewhat from a manana state of mind, the sections of town where travelers are entertained are clean and well kept. The people are generally friendly and welcoming and many know enough English to enable language-deficient gringos, like me, to communicate with them.

La Paz is the kind of place where middle-class Mexicans take their families on vacation. While nothing is cheap, it is reasonably priced compared to more popular beach resorts. There’s enough nightlife and good dining to keep you entertained after the sun goes down and the malecon (seaside walkway) fills with pedestrians of all persuasions.

During the day, enjoy perfect, crescent, white sand beaches. Surf in crystal waters. Swim with sea lions at the Los Islotes Sanctuary. Snorkel with creatures you’ve only seen in aquariums. Sea kayak among dolphins and through natural arches. Fish for the big ones in the fairytale Sea of Cortez.

La Paz isn’t the place you think of when you dream of a trip to Baja, but maybe it should be. Learn more about La Paz here.

If you dream of outdoor adventure, but don’t really want to rough it or wing it, then check out Nichols Expeditions. Don’t let the fact that they are based out of Moab, Utah deter you from thinking they don’t know about bicycling in Turkey or trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

Chuck and Judy Nichols are adventurers themselves and lead many of their own trips. This is how they can give such accurate information about all of their tours on their website. Nearly every detail of the expedition I enjoyed, The Baja Islands Odyssey, was exactly as they described it.

The office staff quickly and confidently answered all my questions and helped with arrangements. Our guide, Carlos, and his crew were genuinely nice people who anticipated individual needs and took care of every little thing. Their knowledge and professionalism inspired confidence, even when the angry tail of an out-of-season hurricane whipped through.

The itinerary provided one “wow” experience after another - things I never would have done on my own, like snorkeling with sea lions and sea-kayaking at night. The food was outstanding and plentiful. I know I’m gushing, but that really is how incredible my experience was.

Join a group or organize your own posse. This travel outfit offers so many dreamy, soft adventure vacations that I still can’t decide where I want to go next, but I do know I’ll go with Nichols!

Grizzlies and Wolves Safari 2007
Choose from Four night Packages:
April 21-25, April 25-29, April 29-May 3, May 3-7, May 7-11, 2007
Choose From Three night Packages:
May 11-14, May 14-17, May 17-20, May 21-24, May 24-27, 2007
The Rusty Parrot Lodge and Spa, in conjunction with the non-profit Teton Science School, presents exclusive packages to explore Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks and the abundance of springtime wildlife.

Guests will arrive in Jackson for a night’s stay at the Rusty Parrot Lodge and Spa, before departing for Yellowstone National Park’s grizzly and wolf territory. Accompanied by Wildlife Expeditions biologists, adventurers can observe predator such as grizzlies, black bears and wolves roaming in the park’s evergreen forests and rolling meadows. See baby elk and bison frolic at their mothers’ sides while bald eagles soar overhead and trumpeter swans and white pelicans nest near sparkling lakes. The small groups (8 per naturalist) will travel in custom safari vehicles, most with opening roof hatches.

Package includes two nights lodging at the Rusty Parrot Lodge and Spa, one or two night’s lodging in Cooke City, Montana (three and four night plans, respectively), expertise of a biologist/guide, specified meals on the expedition, snacks, beverages, dinner gratuities, round trip transportation from Jackson in the safari vans, use of optics, park entrance fees, and dinner for two at the Four Diamond Wild Sage restaurant upon returning from Yellowstone

$925 per person, three night plan
$1,275 per person, four night plan

Based on double occupancy, first floor king or double queen room.
Plus tax and resort fee.
Fireplace, King-Fireplace-Jacuzzi rooms, and extra nights available

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a Traveler’s Health section that can be a great resource in planning your vacation. There are tips on traveling with children, travel for the disabled, airline travel, traveling with pets, etc. If staying healthy while on the move is a concern, then check this website out before you go.