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Russian River Canoe Trip Ideal for Families
People of all ages will enjoy a gentle canoe trip down the Russian River, one of the most beautiful bodies of California water.
The Russian River flows through famous Wine Country destinations as Geyserville and Healdsburg before its way to the sea through gentle hills covered with dense forests and Redwood Teaming with rare birds and other wild animals. Over a 10-mile stretch of the river from Forestville to Guerneville is ideal for calm water canoeing or kayaking and a local company called Burke's Canoe trips helps even easier by providing canoes, kayaks and shuttle service back to your car in the near Forestville.
The Russian River, in this case, is not exactly the "Rushin 'River. If you are looking for a lot of fast water and river rapids, there are other California rivers that will fill that bill, but not this. In fact, the water is so tame that it is really not all that good for inner city tube because Some parts you can not keep enough forward motion without much paddling. Therefore, canoes and kayaks - which seem to glide over the water with little effort - are ideal.
It is not that you do not get a few thrills. As people from Burkes' Canoes told us, there is just enough fast water to make things interesting. There are a few points in the river where channels of current can carry you into tree branches along the coast, or your canoe turned over in a whirl if you do not guide your canoe to the right space. But the good news is that, even if you cover, the water is relatively warm, not very deep and you'll be transferred to a quiet neighborhood in literally seconds.
We opted for a canoe on our trip through the river and was advised to our cameras or anything that could damage water in a waterproof plastic bag to keep safe. We were also told to wear our swimming suits, and had to wear lightweight life naturalists. Looking at the calm water near the launch area, it seemed almost silly to worry about flipping over and we were wondering why so much emphasis on the wet preparation.
We have a cooler full of drinks and sanwiches in our canoe and settled somewhat cautious in our journey. Canoes are inherently unstable - at least not if you are to them for a while - and it took us a few minutes to get comfortable with our balance and to get some confidence we could maneuver belong. But alas, our Boy Scout training soon kicked in fine, although it was decades - and probably a 20 percent weight gain - since we had last put paddle in the water.
Inside, about two minutes for us our first challenge - avoiding a fairly fast river current pushing everything onto the wooded shore. We aim our canoe to the left, quickly grew and managed the coordination of our front and rear paddles just enough to avoid the danger. It was not a perfect approach, but it was a confidence builder. We looked forward to honing our paddling skills as we face new challenges in the river below.
Soon we were in a quiet piece of water, hardly move, but only a gentle paddle to keep making good forward progress. That was when we really started to take in the natural beauty of the river - the thick forests of giant trees and the continuous ballet performed by the birds of the Russian River, including the Great Blue Heron and osprey. Along the way we might see turtles and deer also. We also enjoyed paddling by the charming vacation cabins high above the river in many strategic locations along the route from the Russian. Spectacular bridges span the river at various points, though most of this float was away from the highway, making it feel even more remote than it really is.
We spent the next four hours or so alternating negotiate some of the stronger currents - or what you might call a very small rapids - and quietly paddle on a beautiful blue sky spring day. We stopped only for a few minutes for a sandwich on a spectacular sandy beach - although most people told us the stabbing on these beaches for swimming, sunbathing and just hanging out with their fellow travelers for hours.
After mastering perhaps a dozen current problems quickly and with less than a few to one hundred meters to our finishing, we were feeling very confident that we had back in the canoe might of our youth. And then the unthinkable happened: we flipped. We were running aground in shallow water and some have forgotten that you do not dislodge a canoe by shift your weight. Yes, we have a little wet, but we were not really cold on this sunny day and we were able to retrieve our belongings in short order.
Our pride is injured. But we felt better later when Burke's Canoe people told us that fully one half of their customers flip at some point along this seemingly calm and idyllic part River.
Nearby accommodations
Back in our car, we drove the 10 miles back to Guerneville where we would sleep. With parks and trails and Redwood landscapes all only minutes from downtown, Guerneville is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and lovers of the charm of colorful small towns. Guerneville has a quiet Main Street - much busier on weekends - that a number of crafts shops and hometown restaurants. We enjoyed taking a few stations outside the city to places like Armstrong Woods with its trails through deep redwood forests. Many visitors drive just a few miles to Jenner where the Russian River meets the Pacific Ocean.
We spent the night on the West Sonoma Inn and Spa, a stylish group of buildings on the edge of Guerneville where the resort makes use of the natural landscape and the nearby Redwood vineyard views. The Irish inn here have gone the extra mile in providing a lot of features for guests not often found in small town lodging facilities - plush beds, fireplaces, granite counter tops, wet bars, private decks and mini-kitchens. Our unit was unusually spacious and, due to a more spread-out configuration, each unit seemed very private and very quiet. Considerations were richly landscaped and maintained.
A light breakfast is offered on the West Coast Inn Sonoma that gourmet organic coffee, juice, pastries and fresh fruit contains. Prices in the inn start at less than $ 100, today, is a bargain in a highly desirable tourist area. This is especially true when you realize that the inn is widely regarded as one of the best and most luxurious lodging options in Guerneville.
AT A GLANCE
WHERE: The Russian River in Sonoma County and the put-in point for Burke's canoe trips is about 70 miles northwest of San Francisco.
WHAT: Burke's Canoe trips are popular with couples and groups of different sizes for decades and are self-guided tours of a path 10 miles long from the Russian River. The company supplies the canoes and safety gear and then picks you up in their shuttle bus to the end of your trip, near Guerneville.
WHEN: The trips begin each year at the end of May and continue throughout the summer. The weather is generally sunny and in the 80.
WHY: Russian River canoe trips are a great way to see the river in a spectacular landscape of California, which serves both Redwood forests and abundant wildlife will enjoy. It is also a social experience because many people do the walk in groups.
HOW: For more information on Russian River canoe trips, phone 707-887-1222 or visit www.burkescanoetrips.com. Burke's Canoes cost $ 58 per canoe for the use of canoes, gear and pick-up on the company shuttle. For more information about West Sonoma Coast Inn, phone 1-800-551-1881 or visit www.westsonomainn.com.
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