Today was a great day on the French Broad River.  Korey and I had a great group of guests that were staying at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville. The water was up today due to the heavy rainfall on Tuesday night.  It was amazing, check out the pictures below!

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Rafting NC Asheville (Ashville).  White water Rafting, Asheville, North Carolina Go whitewater (white water) rafting near Asheville, North Carolina (NC) on the French Broad River. French Broad Rafting Expeditions is the closest whitewater rafting  to Asheville, NC (only 24 miles) to our Marshall Outpost.  North Carolina Family and Group Rafting. Make your whitewater rafting reservation today on Asheville, Hot Springs, North Carolina’s French Broad River, the closest whitewater rafting.

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Walk A Mile in Her Shoes is Saturday April 30, 2011.  Click here to donate now. French Broad Rafting Expeditions (FBRE) has entered a team of walkers for the 2011 Walk A Mile Benefit for Our VOICE in Asheville, NC. Our VOICE is a non-profit crisis intervention and prevention agency in the Asheville Area which which serves individuals affected by sexual assault and abuse, through counseling, advocacy and education. Each year, an ever-increasing number of men, women and their families nationwide are joining the award-winning Walk a Mile in Her Shoes®: The International Men’s March to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault & Gender Violence. A Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® Event is a playful opportunity for men to raise awareness in their community about the serious causes, effects and remediations to sexualized violence.

We had a great day on the water today.  The French Broad River is running at a great level and the forecast is calling for more rain. Eighth Graders from Lake Highland Preparatory School in Orlando Florida loved the action on the river. Check out these pictures from Ledges Rapid.

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Rafting NC Asheville (Ashville).  White water Rafting, Asheville, North Carolina Go whitewater (white water) rafting near Asheville, North Carolina (NC) on the French Broad River. French Broad Rafting Expeditions is the closest whitewater rafting  to Asheville, NC (only 24 miles) to our Marshall Outpost.  North Carolina Family and Group Rafting. Make your whitewater rafting reservation today on Asheville, Hot Springs, North Carolina’s French Broad River, the closest whitewater rafting.

Not everyone is lucky enough to paddle with their dogs (see previous post http://www.frenchbroadrafting.net/river/gunnison-on-the-river-in-the-shredder/).  We know that it is hard to leave your pets at home when you go on vacation.  Check out Barkwells www.barkwells.com and when you visit the area, your dogs will be safe and happy to see you when you get back to your cabin. We have had multiple guests raft with us that have stayed at Barkwells, and all of the reviews are spectacular. We urge you to check out Barkwells when searching for pet-friendly accommodations.

Rafting NC Asheville (Ashville).  White water Rafting, Asheville, North Carolina Go whitewater (white water) rafting near Asheville, North Carolina (NC) on the French Broad River. French Broad Rafting Expeditions is the closest whitewater rafting  to Asheville, NC (only 24 miles) to our Marshall Outpost.  North Carolina Family and Group Rafting. Make your whitewater rafting reservation today on Asheville, Hot Springs, North Carolina’s French Broad River, the closest whitewater rafting.

Western North Carolina is a great place for camping. There are multiple places to camp very close to the city of Asheville and Marshall.  When you are coming to the area for recreation if you want to camp or RV check out the following campgrounds and make your reservation early. These accommodations range from primitive camping to luxurious cabins.

French Broad River Campground

http://www.ncrivercamping.com

The French Broad River Campground, a spacious riverside RV and Tent campground of 13 acres, caters to the visitor and the local! Less than 12 minutes north of downtown Asheville, you will find this is one of the most relaxing campgrounds in the entire area. Campground sites are located on 2,000 feet of river frontage. The sights and sounds of nature are exceptional! Bring your canoes, kayaks, rafts and cameras – Easy Access! Or just sit back, relax and enjoy the canoes and kayaking expeditions as they go by your front door!

Hot Springs Resort and Spa

http://www.nchotsprings.com/nc-hot-springs-resort-lodging.html

The Hot Springs Campground is located along the banks of the French Broad River, a short stroll from the Hot Springs Spa and Natural Mineral Baths. This facility is a favorite stopping point for travelers of all types from hikers coming off the Appalachian Trail to vacationers and health seekers. Our campground is family friendly and shrouded amongst trees offering shade and beautiful settings, even on the hottest day.

Campground amenities include picnic tables and fire rings at every site, clean restrooms, hot showers, Security (seasonal), full RV hookups, RV pull through sites with full hookups, camping cabins and regular, group and deluxe tent sites. In all areas, 6 years of age and under stay free, pay for sixth night and seventh is free.

All patrons of the campground can use campground facilities. Firewood is for sale or bring your own.

There is a camp store located at the entrance to the campground that includes a full line of supplies and a small eatery.

Mama Gerties Hideaway Campground

http://www.mamagerties.com/index.html

If an Asheville vacation is in your future and you are looking for an Asheville RV park, you have come to the right place. Mama Gerties offers full hook up RV sites for motor homes, trailers, 5th wheels and sites for pop ups and tent camping along with rental cabins. We are located near many Asheville recreation spots including the Biltmore Estate. Stay with us while you tour the Biltmore House. Take a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Bear Creek RV Park

http://www.ashevillebearcreek.com/

Asheville’s finest invites you to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the “Land of the Sky” and our local attractions. Enjoy the beautiful sunsets as seen on TNN by Pat Boone. We offer large, level paved lots with full 30 and 50 amp hookups. Also nice tent sites with water and electricity. We have 25 pull-throughs (25×60), big rig sites, and 65 back-ins (25×50).
We provide showers, laundry, game room, heated pool, and easy access to I-40 and I-26. we have a Trailer Life rating of Park of 9.5, Restroom Rating of 10*, and Scenic 8.5., and we are modem friendly! Propane Available Year Round!

Rocky Bluff

http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/recreation/RockyBluff.pdf

Rocky Bluff Campground is the perfect mountain getaway for visitors who seek quiet and solitude amid nature’s picturesque surroundings. Tucked away off NC 209 near
Hot Springs, the campground is one of the best kept secrets in the national forests in North Carolina. Dates Open: May 1 to October 31. Fee: $8 a night per site, on a first-come, first served basis, 30 sites,14-day limit for visit. What sites offer: Parking spur, picnic table, tent pad, and fire grate. Other amenities: Running water and flush
toilets in center of campground’s lower loop; nearby is a picnic area with 10 tables (no fee for day-use.); amphitheatre.

Silvermine Group Campground

http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/recreation/silvermine.pdf

Silvermine Group Campground is nestled under a canopy of hemlocks and tall poplars. A rushing creek meanders 50 feet from the group campsite, which provides room for up to 50 people to set up tents.

Visitors to the campground can explore two trails, including portions of the Appalachian Trail. Other outdoor activities to enjoy are whitewater rafting and canoeing on the French Broad River and soaking in the warm, mineral springs of the nearby town of Hot Springs. Once you rent the site, you’re given a key to gain access to the campground’s gate. A half mile behind the gate, you can picnic, camp, and hike to your heart’s content without the disturbance of other campers.

DATES OPEN: May 1 to October 31. FEE: 0-25 people, $25 per night; 26-50 people, $40 per night.

FOR RESERVATIONS: Appalachian Ranger District, at (828) 682-6146

WHAT SITES OFFER: two large tent pads (15 by 30 feet); two grills.

OTHER AMENITIES: One picnic shelter with two tables; water pump; chemical toilet

Rafting NC Asheville (Ashville).  White water Rafting, Asheville, North Carolina Go whitewater (white water) rafting near Asheville, North Carolina (NC) on the French Broad River. French Broad Rafting Expeditions is the closest whitewater rafting  to Asheville, NC (only 24 miles) to our Marshall Outpost.  North Carolina Family and Group Rafting. Make your whitewater rafting reservation today on Asheville, Hot Springs, North Carolina’s French Broad River, the closest whitewater rafting.

It has been pretty cold here in the mountains of Western North Carolina.  You know it is cold when the French Broad River begins to ice over.  Since the French Broad River is a free flowing river, it has to be real cold for a free flowing river to freeze.  The great thing about the rain and snow we have been receiving the past couple of weeks, is that the water supply for the French Broad is replenishing.  Should be a great year on the river.

Rafting NC Asheville (Ashville).  White water Rafting, Asheville, North Carolina Go whitewater (white water) rafting near Asheville, North Carolina (NC) on the French Broad River. French Broad Rafting Expeditions is the closest whitewater rafting  to Asheville, NC (only 24 miles) to our Marshall Outpost.  North Carolina Family and Group Rafting. Make your whitewater rafting reservation today on Asheville, Hot Springs, North Carolina’s French Broad River, the closest whitewater rafting.

As many of our guests may already know, our business was destroyed in a fire in November 2006. We lost nearly everything we had, from rafts to reservation forms. The only thing left standing was the buses (albeit with melted taillights). Since then we have been building a new outpost using the pay-as-you-go method. The goal was to build the outpost without putting financial strain on the company, so that we could continue to grow.  And grow we did, even with a primitive outpost. We believe that this is a testament to the professionalism and dedication of our staff. 

We would also like to thank all of our guests who have been very patient with us while working out of temporary buildings for the past 4 years.  We are very excited to announce that the wait is almost over. Check out the photos below:

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Now all we have left to do is expand our parking lot and put on a few finishing touches, and we will be ready for the grand opening.  We look forward to spoiling our returning guests and welcoming all of our new guests in style. It’s the same great trip with a lot more comfort. We look forward to seeing you at the new outpost for the 2011 rafting season.

Rafting NC Asheville (Ashville).  White water Rafting, Asheville, North Carolina Go whitewater (white water) rafting near Asheville, North Carolina (NC) on the French Broad River. French Broad Rafting Expeditions is the closest whitewater rafting  to Asheville, NC (only 24 miles) to our Marshall Outpost.  North Carolina Family and Group Rafting. Make your whitewater rafting reservation today on Asheville, Hot Springs, North Carolina’s French Broad River, the closest whitewater rafting.

French Broad Rafting Expeditions was recently awarded the “Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Month” for December 2010.  It was accepted by one of French Broad Rafting Expeditions owners, Mitch Hampton at the Board of Directors meeting on November 23rd.  French Broad Rafting Expeditions was nominated for its contributions to the local community. We are very lucky to have met wonderful, caring, and giving people while volunteering and donating to area organizations. We are very excited about winning this great award. Below is the announcement from the Chambers website http://www.ashevillechamber.org/enews/december072010.html

French Broad Rafting Expeditions: Small Business of the Month

Congratulations to French Broad Rafting Expeditions for its designation as Asheville’s Small Business of the Month for December. Brothers, paddlers and river guides, Michael and Mitch Hampton opened their business in 2002 and employ 20 full-time and 23 part-time employees. Four years ago, after many successful seasons of taking thousands of individuals down the French Broad River, the business suffered a devastating fire that leveled their headquarters. The Hamptons rebuilt and proceeded to persevere through two low water, drought years. French Broad Rafting Expeditions supports the local community by volunteering with the fire department for search and rescue on the river and by donating whitewater rafting trips for charitable events. The company is also a sponsor of Children First through monetary contributions and donations of rafting trips for summer camp students.

Rafting NC Asheville (Ashville).  White water Rafting, Asheville, North Carolina Go whitewater (white water) rafting near Asheville, North Carolina (NC) on the French Broad River. French Broad Rafting Expeditions is the closest whitewater rafting  to Asheville, NC (only 24 miles) to our Marshall Outpost.  North Carolina Family and Group Rafting. Make your whitewater rafting reservation today on Asheville, Hot Springs, North Carolina’s French Broad River, the closest whitewater rafting.

While looking through some photos from this past summer, I ran across some great pictures of an afternoon paddling trip in the Shredder www.shredder.com with my dog Gunnison “Gunny” (and of course don’t forget the dog pfd from www.nrsweb.com).  Gunny is a Beagle that was rescued from the Wake County animal shelter by my sister-in-law Courtney, who is a veterinarian.  The shelter had deemed that his chances of being adopted were very slim and it was decided that he would not get more than the required three days.  But Courtney knew there was something special about this Beagle and decided to foster him until she could find him a good home.  My wife and I adopted Gunny in 2008 and cannot believe what a wonderful dog he has become.  If you get a chance please make sure that you check out your local shelter first, when looking for a pet.  If you do not know where it is, check out the links below.

http://www.beagles-on-the-web.com/adopt/

http://www.adoptapet-directory.com/States/state_index.html

www.bwar.org/

Rafting NC Asheville (Ashville).  White water Rafting, Asheville, North Carolina Go whitewater (white water) rafting near Asheville, North Carolina (NC) on the French Broad River. French Broad Rafting Expeditions is the closest whitewater rafting  to Asheville, NC (only 24 miles) to our Marshall Outpost.  North Carolina Family and Group Rafting. Make your whitewater rafting reservation today on Asheville, Hot Springs, North Carolina’s French Broad River, the closest whitewater rafting.

I recently produced a video about life as a river guide with French Broad Rafting. Check it out on YouTube. Music is by Jim Hampton, country music singer and older brother of owners Mitch and Michael Hampton.