Re: Lake Tahoe rafting trip

[Freeman Huang 黄宇飞]

Hi again.

In order to avoid the peak time, we are changing the rafting date to Sunday July 6th.

Due to lack of interest, we no longer consider the overnight option. It will be one day trip only.

More detail to come.

Thanks.

Freeman

On Wed, May 28, 2014 at 6:16 PM, Freeman Huang 黄宇飞 <freem...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi folks,

Rafting season has started since Memorial Day!

We are again calling for a rafting trip to Lake Tahoe.

Tentative plan:

What: same day trip for Truckee River rafting ( http://www.truckeeriverrafting.com ) and picnic lunch.

When: we will pick one day between July 4th-6th (tentatively, July 4th)

           Please do let me know if you are planning to join us, 

           with your date preference, phone#, and number of adults/kids.

We will layout more details as time being.

For those who did not try it before, Truckee River rafting is mild, allowing kids as young as 2 year old.

Water is calm most of the time, except the last ~50 meters. The raft company provides life-vest for free.

It is NOT white-water rafting, not like the ones you would find along American River.

We have been enjoying it as our group activity each year for several years.

Look forward to your reply.

Thanks.

Freeman

[Freeman Huang 黄宇飞]

Hi folks,

Here comes the final plan of the Lake Tahoe rafting trip.

Please continue to sign up if you have not done so.

Send me the number of adults and kids(2-12 yrs) and a phone# that can reach you during the trip.

Now please read carefully and thoroughly.

What: Rafting at Truckee River, then drive to Kings Beach for picnic lunch and beach play.

When: Sunday July 6th, 2014.

           Schedule:

           meet at raft launch by 10am;

           finish rafting around 1pm, drive to Kings Beach;

           picnic lunch and beach play from about 1:40pm.

Rafting Location: 

            Truckee River Rafting Company (we first meet here)

            175 River Road,Tahoe City,CA 96145

            http://www.truckeeriverrafting.com/index.php

            Please arrive at the rafting company BEFORE 10am. check in takes time.

            There are two rafting companies side by side, with very similar names.

            We go to the one closer to the traffic light, with yellow umbrellas and green awnings.

            Parking is free at the launch, and free shuttle bus will bring you back from the finish.

Rafting cost:

         Going as a big group gives us deepest discount (adult $24, 6-12 yrs $19, free for 2-5 yrs).

         (Last year we ended up with 73 people :-))

         Each family will pay separately at check in, but the group will launch raft boats together.

         If you arrive late after we leave, tell them you are in Freeman's group to get the discount.

         Cost includes raft boat, paddle, life vest, and shuttle bus from the finish back to launch.

Safety, Safety, Safety!

         Although the rafting route is a mild easy one allowing kids as young as 2-yr old, 

         any aquatic activity has risk of drowning by its nature.

         To participate in the rafting trip, you are fully responsible for taking the risk, 

         and fully responsible for any accident/injury that may incur.

         Please print, read, sign and bring this release form:

         http://www.truckeeriverrafting.com/assets/release-agreement.pdf

Safety tips:

         The rafting company provides life-vest for free. 

         Please put one on, no matter how good you think you can swim.

         We did see people get bounced to water by tree branches sticking out of the river bank.

         Water flow is mostly calm, except the last ~50 meters where flow is rapid and bumpy.

         Please hold your younger kids tight during that last section, in case they get bumped off the boat.

         Each raft boat takes up to 10 people. Family of 4 should expect to share boat with another family.

         Every boat needs at least 2 adults pedaling, plus at least 1 adult per 2 younger kids.

Other tips:

         The rafting route takes about 3 hours, so the lunch will be late.

         Consider bringing snacks onto the boat, especially for younger kids.

         Although usually avoidable, be ready to get wet. 

         Some people simply wear swimming suit. 

         Bring backup clothes, in water-proof bag or leave in your car.

         Recommend to apply sunscreen at check in.

         Rule for water fight:

         Those bringing water guns, please only attack people holding water guns.

Lunch Location:

         Kings Beach State Park (drive here after rafting)

         http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=511

         Kings Beach parking lot requires $10 day use fee, and may be full at times.

         When you arrive, if the parking entrance has "parking full" sign, drop off your family first,

         then you can either look for a spot at roadside (free of charge), 

         or wait by the entrance until a car comes out.

         You will bring your own lunch for picnic.

         There are restaurants like McDonald's on the way to Kings Beach.

         You are more than welcome to bring foods to share with the group, but it's not required.

         There are pedal boats and water motorcycles for rent at Kings Beach.

         If you prefer to go somewhere else right after rafting, feel free to do so.

Contacts for questions or when you get lost:

Freeman Huang, 916-517-5188;

Xudong Chen, 916-233-7998;

I think that's all ... for now.

Please feel free to ask questions.

Hope to see you all there.

Freeman