Visit the Biltmore Estate and go whitewater rafting on the same weekend.  When you come to the Asheville area you should definitely check out the Biltmore Estate www.biltmore.com .  It is a 175,000 square foot mansion built from 1889-1895 by George Washington Vanderbilt II.  The Biltmore House is the largest privately-owned home in the United States.  The estate is home to many restaraunts, bakeries, and shops.   Don’t forget to visit the Winery for a free wine tour.  Check out the 25th anniversary of the Festival of Flowers from April 3-May 16, 2010.

After Vanderbilt passed away in 1914, 85,000 of  the original 125,000 acres were given to the U.S. Federal government.  The land given to the U.S. government became the start of the Pisgah National Forest.  If you are looking for a place to stay while in Asheville check out the Inn on Biltmore Estate http://www.biltmore.com/stay/inn/default.asp

While you are in the Asheville area , come out and go white water rafting with us.  We are only 35 minutes from the Estate.  We will take you down Section 9 of the French Broad River, where you will see beautiful scenery and enjoy the company of our professional staff.

Asheville Rafting NC.  Whitewater 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.

So you may have read a recent post about the French Broad Rafting Expeditions (FBRE) Staff in the off-season… how they get to “play” on the ski slopes when they aren’t “playing” on the water in the summer. Well, it’s not that easy for all of us. Some of us have to get “real” jobs in the winter to make ends meet. Take Jeff for example: Jeff is an experienced trip leader for FBRE and the proud father of a new baby girl. In order to support his family, Jeff started a company called River Right Whitewater Technologies. Since its’ humble beginning a few years ago, River Right has become a prominent guide training school with one of the most thorough Swift Water Rescue courses in the nation.

And then there’s Korey. She is also a veteran trip leader at FBRE. But in order to keep the bills paid in the winter she has to resort to desperate (and childish) measures – like playing in mud. Korey owns Earth Water & Fire Pottery, a small company based in the River Arts District of Asheville. She makes a variety of handmade functional dinnerware and beautiful clay jewelry. 

So don’t just assume that “Livin the Dream” is all fun and games. Some of us have to work for a living.

Visit Jeff at www.RiverRightInstruction.com, and Korey at www.EWFPottery.com

90% Vegetable Oil Blend for 2010

At French Broad Rafting Expeditions we continue to upgrade our blend of  Biodiesel fuel.  When Biodiesel is put into older vehicles it is suggested that you start with a 50% vegetable oil and 50% diesel blend.  Since 2007 FBRE has been using Biodiesel that we get delivered from Blue Ridge Biofuels  http://www.blueridgebiofuels.com/.  We have worked our way up to 90% vegetable oil blend in all of our diesel vehicles.  Our Guests frequently mention the fact that the fumes from the buses make them hungry, since it smells like french fries.

NC Whitewater 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.
Make your whitewater rafting reservation today on Asheville, Hot Springs, North Carolina’s French Broad River, the closest whitewater rafting.

Ever wonder what your River Guide does in the Winter?  If you want to work as a River Guide full-time, you have to find a job during  the winter months.  It is a common misconception that River Guides have winters off.  A lot of our staff at French Broad Rafting Expeditions have chosen to pursue careers in the great outdoors, here are some that work at a local ski resort.  Some people might say that we “have it made”.  We call it “Livin’ the Dream”.

Sue one our reservationists, took the day off from answering phones to paddle down the French Broad River with Michael on the Shredder www.http://www.ohiopyle.com/shredder/ . 

Sue and Michael at Pillow Rock Rapid

Sue lives in Lancaster California and flies out to North Carolina to work with us for the months of July and August.  She has been a member of the French Broad Rafting Family since 2003.  Sue is a teacher’s assistant at Palm Tree Elementary School the rest of the year.  When asked why she flies all the way from the West Coast to work with us Sue says ”I love the family bond that we have here at French Broad Rafting.  I miss all of them over the winter months and can’t wait to come back every summer”.  Sue will be leaving in a few days and she will be missed.

NC Whitewater 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.
Make your whitewater rafting reservation today on Asheville, Hot Springs, North Carolina’s French Broad River, the closest whitewater rafting.

Every August, the day before their season starts, the Women’s Soccer team at UNC Asheville gets together to “bond” as a team. New freshman have just arrived on campus, literally saying goodbye to their parents hours earlier. Upperclassmen are moving in to their roles as the new leaders of the team. It’s a perfect opportunity for a day of  fun to break the ice and get the season started on the right foot.

This year the Lady Bulldogs chose to spend their day on the French Broad River. They decided that the calm water trip would be the perfect mix of adventure, relaxation and camraderie. The team met at their Asheville campus and carpooled to our Hot Springs outpost (they wanted to be environmentally conscious). The day proved to be a beautiful one, sunny and warm, and the scenery was beautiful. 

Most of them were new to whitewater, but the women of UNC Asheville turned out to be naturals at whitewater paddling. They all took duckies, inflatable kayaks known for their sense of independent spirit. But with twenty-four women together on the water, it was all about helping their fellow teammates. The ladies worked together to find the best waves and the smoothest routes, and they had an awesome day all-around.

We here at French Broad Rafting Expeditions were delighted to have the Women of UNC Asheville Soccer on the river with us, and we hope that their season is a succesful one. Good Luck Bulldogs!

Great Contribution to the French Broad Rafting Expeditions Blog from Chris. Thanks Chris for taking the time to help everyone relive this very fun day.

French Broad Rafting Expeditions: Hug Tom Butler Day

French Broad Rafting Expeditions (FBRE) takes pride in being a family business, partially because they cater to families but also because they are a family in and of themselves.  Owners Michael and Mitch Hampton foster an environment where guests, friends and employees are always welcome and feel at home.  You won’t find a more tight knit group of raft guides who come back year after year to be part of the FBRE experience that has been best described as “Livin’ the Dream”.

Like any family a good bit of practical joking and warm-hearted tomfoolery takes place at FBRE.  Mike and Mitch encourage (and sometimes mastermind) the playful activities that take place amongst the crew.  A standard game played at FBRE is the irresponsible raft guide scavenger hunt.  In order to encourage the guides to take care of their personal gear and keep the outpost clean and organized (as well as provide a few laughs), raft guides who leave their equipment out will arrive to work the next day to find it scattered about the premises.  It is not uncommon to see a guide crawling on top of a bus of digging through a helmet bin in an effort to locate their misplaced paddle or pfd.

Dress up day is another standard.  This year’ honorable mentions include Amy as a Cincinnati Bengal, Korey  as a sheik retro dancer, Kim’s white water Mumu, Jason’s Hawaiian getup complete with hula skirt, Rose’s raft guide evening wear and Ruvayne who sported a mask that was disturbingly similar to his actual visage.

While the usual activities continue, a new tradition was born this year, Hug Tom Butler Day.  First let it be known that Tom Butler is nothing short of an icon.  A professional fire fighter, ski patrol guru and all around good guy, Tom has been rafting longer than some of us have been alive.  Rocks move for Tom Butler and he seems to have a divine connection with the river.  That being said he’s not too proud to play with the “kids”.  Often initiating antics, Tom was a true sport, blushing when he discovered a pair of thong underwear tied to his throw rope in the middle of a safety talk a few weeks ago.

Because the crew at FBRE loves Tom so much they decided to give him a day all to his own.  The theme of Hug Tom Butler Day is self explanatory but the object and enthusiasm displayed warrant explanation.    Score was kept to determine who could give the most hugs.  Arguments were made as to whether extra points should be added for lewd, inappropriate or overly affectionate embraces.  Tom found himself the object of overwhelming affection as guides convinced their guests to join in the fun.

At the end of the day stories were swapped as usual, but instead of, “Did you see that clown stuck at S-Turn?”, “Did you see so and so hug Tom at lunch?” was the topic of the day.  Of particular interest was the performance of Jason who was so overwhelmed by his opportunity to display his love for Tom to the world that he was brought to tears.  Capping the day off with a kiss on the cheek of his idol Jason fulfilled a lifelong dream.

Fans of raft guide shenanigans will be glad to know that the FBRE spirit is strong and plans for Tickle Timmy day are underway.  Recent developments however suggest that Marti  might prove a better target as she has demonstrated a low resistance to being tickled on her knees and tummy (thanks for the tip Amos).  Check back for updates of the French Broad Rafting Experience.        

Livin’ the Dream,

Chris Wingate

NC Whitewater 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.
Make your whitewater rafting reservation today on Asheville, Hot Springs, North Carolina’s French Broad River, the closest whitewater rafting.

River Guiding on the French Broad River is one of the best jobs ever.  You get to enjoy the scenery, work on your guiding skills, and get some sun all at the same time.  But the best part of the trip are people you meet on the river.  Check out this letter we received a couple of days ago from a family that rafted with us.

NC Whitewater 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.
Make your whitewater rafting reservation today on Asheville, Hot Springs, North Carolina’s French Broad River, the closest whitewater rafting.

We had a great day on the river with Troop 86 from Brentwood Tennessee.  They had the best time on the river.  Half of the group went in the inflatable kayaks (duckies) and the other half in rafts.  The Scouts and Leaders handled the duckies like pros.  At the covered pavilion Troop 86 devoured the hamburgers and hot dogs that we had for lunch.  Not a piece of food was left uneaten. It was a beautiful day on the river with a great group people. Hope to have the chance to paddle with them next year.

NC Whitewater 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.
Make your whitewater rafting reservation today on Asheville, Hot Springs, North Carolina’s French Broad River, the closest whitewater rafting.

NC Group Rafting on the French Broad River.

On Wednesday South Erwin Baptist Church joined us for an afternoon white water rafting trip. Even though there was a steady drizzle for most of the trip they had a great time. They started splashing each other at the put in and never stopped the whole trip. The whole group enjoyed Jump Rock. Most of them jumped multiple times.  We can’t wait to see them next year.

NC Whitewater 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.
Make your whitewater rafting reservation today on Asheville, Hot Springs, North Carolina’s French Broad River, the closest whitewater rafting.