Greetings otters ...

I'm always fascinated to hear people's stories about how they came to be doing what they do. Since many have asked that question of me, I'll take this moment to share it with you ...

Born and raised in New York City, I knew for years that I was meant to live elsewhere ... but where? After an Outward Bound rafting experience on the Green River, the Call of the West came in loud and clear. So I moved to northern California from Manhattan in late 1992. Soon after, I found myself involved with friends who loved river rafting, and upon discovering the beauty of California rivers, I was bitten by the bug. I trained as a river guide the following spring. More and more of my non-rafting friends began to join me on these trips. And they too fell in love with the river.

One day, after a particularly challenging rapid, one such friend turned toward me and said "Thank you, my dearest River Goddess" (he clearly felt safe and well cared for in my raft). I played with it until it felt right ... hence the name "River Guidess." People liked it, as did I, and it stuck.

A few years later, I started to go to some of the freestyle dance venues in San Francisco, Marin, and Berkeley (see "Links" page). Here I met a large community of free-spirited movers and shakers (literally!), and they too began to join me on river trips. Word got around, and each year more dancing, creative friends became introduced to these beautiful California rivers. In time, I began to work with several outfitters to create specialized adventures on rivers and bays, bringing a spirited community that loves to play, especially with the metaphors that the river so naturally provides.

Hence the birth of "Dancing with the River," which has over time evolved into "Adventures in the Flow" ...

Since 2000, my calendar has expanded to include sea kayaking on Tomales Bay, and more recently, whale encounters and kayaking trips in Baja, Mexico.

Besides the diversity of the offerings, what makes these trips different from what you'll find elsewhere? It's the sense of community that comes from shared experience. Most participants come from the San Francisco Bay Area (although more and more are traveling from areas beyond the Bay) and are generally of like mind and spirit. There are often musicians, dancers, healers and artists, as well as more main-stream professionals who like to let their hair down on the weekends. On these trips, many friendships have formed (a few romances too!) that have withstood the test of time. Your network of friends and associates will definitely expand. You might even meet that special someone . . .

Not (yet) a water person? Join us on a trip just to relax and enjoy the community (river rafting is available as an optional activity). There's often a group that goes hiking instead, or stays back at our spacious riverside base campsite to relax, hike, swim, enjoy the great food and the community vibe. The music and laughter around the evening campfires are reason enough to come along.

If you'd like to schedule a private trip or facilitate a group with your art-full, heart-full offering, I'd be happy to explore that with you. River trips in California, and kayaking trips on Tomales Bay are so close to home, yet so far away. And as of 2006, my calendar includes winter excursions to commune with the gray whales in Baja, Mexico. These trips are offered in collaboration with Blue Waters Kayaking of Inverness, California.

So, visit the photo gallery and the trip calendar and ... please join this community as we continue to dance, ever more gracefully, with this river we call LIFE!


In light & flow,

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Gail, the River Guidess

415-312-3112
go@riverguidess.com
www.riverguidess.com

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Please spread the word, so that like-spirited people such as yourselves will keep on coming to the river, the bay, and beyond ...

Please read this before visiting the event calendar:

You may find yourself here through an email or a flyer that describes an event of interest. Please note: As sometime features may be added or revised from what you have in hand, please always refer to these listings for the most recent and accurate information before signing up,

Please contact me early about any events that interest you to stay informed about developments as they unfold ... Early registration will also make you eligible for any "early boat" discounts that may apply. If you consider yourself a networker and/or an all-around friendly person, please ask about my referral incentive program, so you can earn credits toward your own trip. PayPal is now being accepted for some events. Please check each trip description for payment schedule and methods. Where none is listed, please contact me for information.

Customized adventures can be created for your group of friends, family, and business colleagues. Team-building events with professional facilitation are available as well.

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Click here for testimonials from past events . . .