Nature Lore River Safaris
Wild Rivers
The Wapiti Way
Gary & Barb Lane. My wife and I co-own this river company and will be your hosts on most whitewater, fishing, or chukar hunting trips that we offer. Our trips are highly personalized, small group adventures. With us, you can get away from the crowds, not join another one on the river. Our emphasis is placed on first-hand experiences enjoying nature in an unfettered style.
The Wapiti Way. We take you to the edge. Not the edge between life and death, but the area where fish and wildlife critters spend most of their time. In ecological terms, it is called the "edge effect." Consequently, to find fish and game, you must go where they go. With us, you will find yourself there, at the edge, where all the action is.
In human terms, it is the edge between your inner and outer landscape. It helps define our place in the web of life. Each feeds the other and is all part of a great magic created by the world of natural mystery.
Do we have the best guides in the world? How can we, when most of our competitors already seem to have them all? Besides, perhaps a better question is: would you rather travel with a 25 year old guide, or a guide with over 25 years of professional experience?
While my wife runs the more administrative functions to help keep me out on the water, I am grateful, as it allows me to do what I have been doing for nearly 30 years, now. Yikes! That's the bad thing about having too much fun...it makes time fly way too fast. Fortunately, for me, it is a full time, year round service of story making fun. It has been my lifetime priviledge to share many natural wonders with interesting people, like you.
The additional guides we hire on a need-be basis are also skilled outdoor veterans with vast experiences and interesting backgrounds. They have a level of expertise and maturity that only extensive time can build and also enjoy people as much as nature.
But what we say matters little, compared to what others say:
"Gary, that trip was one of the best trips in my life. A big part of it was your personality and knowledge of the area and fishing. I'll be back."
Brad Cleaves - Phoenix, AZ (2005)
For more guest comments, see People Say.
Our goal: enjoy nature, help preserve and pass it on. (Seventh generation philosophy).
Our specialty: is having fun while learning more about the amazing mysteries everywhere around us. These days far too many people have lost their touch with nature, especially kids. Many people have become addicted to computers, high tech gadgetry, and the demands of a fast pace modern life. So, our goal is to help remedy that state of nature-disconnect by taking people to the source for recharging their spirit.
Natural history is our forte and our "informative fun" trips will add a ton of interesting excitement to your experience.
By keeping our group size small enough, we can tailor every trip to your special interest. We focus on family adventures and trips that are educational, yet more fun than might be legal. While most companies tend to maximize group size, we aim to maximize personal experience.
How you see the world makes a huge difference in your understanding and appreciation of nature. While learning a few names of plants and animals can be fun, it is all the intricacies and relationships that make interpreting natures story more fascinating. Seeing new things, or old things with new eyes, offers a fresh perspective. It is not the bars that contain the tiger, it is the space between them.
Ecological personal history. Having an educational background in wildlife ecology, and living outside, year round, for more than 40 years has allowed me to gain a ton of hands-on knowledge. But, book learning can be boring and reading about the river is not the same as being on it. Simply put, you must get in the game to enjoy the fun. Go, to know.
"River Experience"- what is it? A wild river often conjures up images of raging whitewater and exciting adventure. Thrilling, drenching, exhilarating fun, yes. But, it is far more than simply braving huge rapids. A river trip is more like stepping through the looking glass of Alice in Wonderland and being inside nature's kaliedoscope. For in each twisting turn the view and experience is ever changing, yet always beautiful. To many, the river's medicine is that powerful. It is a place to enrich your body, mind, and spirit, and more likely, greatly change your life. Forever.
Fun or survival? While our philosophy is more about keeping things simple and elemental, that does not mean sacrificing quality. Knowing how to tour comfortably in the outdoors need not be complicated, nor require gear over-kill. But, it does require understanding the true essence of what constitutes actual comfort and applying those measures. This, we know very well.
Learn some of nature's best kept secrets. One giant leap may get you across the creek, but two small steps will allow you to feel the water. Paying attention to subtleties may seem insignificant, but it is in the nuances of detail that defines the difference between ordinary and extra-ordinary experiences. With us, you will hear not only natures song, but will appreciate more fully all the notes.
Where we take you. Our ecology based river safaris take place in some of the most rugged and grand canyonlands to be found anywhere on the planet. If you love remote country, wilderness areas, prisitine environments, and raw wild river settings, then come with us. Rather than spreading ourselves too thin, we aim all of our attention to three main rivers: Idaho's Lower Salmon River, and Oregon's Owyhee River and Grande Ronde River.
About the places we tour. Rivers we tour were selected because each one has such a strong sense of character. Dynamic events always happen when we go to these special rivers. While the natural beauty of each river is merit enough to be worthy of a visit, the unseen powers of place you will feel there, is as forceful as can be found anywhere else in the world.
Our ecotours include pristine wilderness, remote backcountry, and outrageous whitewater adventure. They are journeys enhanced with the peace and quiet that are felt in such great expanses. You can enjoy trout, salmon, and steelhead fishing , chukar hunting , wolf trips , or a simple pause to just enjoy pure natural beauty. The rivers we tour in Idaho and Oregon range from class II to V and provide mild to wild journeys of outdoor adventure.
No phones. Just a call from the wilderness. But you do need a phone to reach us, so we can help you answer that call of the wild. "Oh what a wonderful 5 days of family celebration! Thank you for the sincere, generous, warm, and real atmosphere in which to relax and refresh our souls. Everyone was 100% enthusiastic and filled with river joy as we enter civilization."
Betty Woolsey - Peoria, IL (2000)
For authentic nature inspired river trips:
Call : 800-488-9872
Gary & Barb,
We had a blast on the river trip - was most likely one of the most thrilling events in our almost 45 years of marriage!! Thanks so very much. It was especially meaningful for me as I am scared of water and don't know how to swim. But I figure that one has to push the envelope and get out of your comfort zone cause life is short!! The lunch you provided was just right, and how you knew our favorite kind of cookies I don't know!! Thanks again for the wonderful adventure.
Millie Hoyd - Boise, ID (2005)
personal note:
from Gary & Barb
"Nothing ever moves until something happens." - EinsteinEvery tour on Idaho's Salmon River and Oregon's Grande Ronde River and Owyhee River is customized and fitted to your precise interests. Rather you enjoy whitewater, fishing, or both, we emphasize your personalized attention on each wilderness river adventure. Dates and rates are sculptured exactly for each river, person, and group. Relax or participate? Its your vacation. You decide. Do as little, or as much, as you wish. Sit back and let us row, or grab a paddle and reach for a wave. Kick back in camp, or go for a hike. That's the beauty of leisure time. You make the choice and we will make the alignments.
