We drive south of Moab to our Colorado River put-in at Potash. The scenic 40-minute drive follows the river into Meander Canyon where the walls rise majestically above our heads, and serve as a backdrop for innumerable petroglyphs. Upon arrival at Potash our guides give a thorough safety talk and introduction to our boats and gear. Pushing off from the shore, we leave the familiar behind and begin our unique adventure through Canyonlands National Park via the Colorado River.

The first 50 miles of your river trip will be motorized. You will be astounded by the absolute redness of the sandstone looming skyward, by the bright green willows thriving beside the river, and by the fairest of desert blue skies. The cooling breezes and inviting cool of the Colorado conspire to relax, to calm, and to invigorate. At a pace pleasantly different from our nation's highways, geologic panoramas slowly develop and change before you.

Depending on the time of year we tackle Cataract Canyon, the pace of the trip will vary. From Moab to Hite Marina. Whether you experience the thrilling spring run-off of May and June or the more subdued waters of September, the same 100 river miles await. Canyonlands begs to be explored on foot, allowing the rafts to introduce you to spectacular side canyons, prehistoric ruins, seasonal waterfalls, and incredible vistas.

In addition to the time spent on the rafts with your guides there will be opportunities to choose from a variety of activities. Spend a morning floating as you watch the red rock walls changing in color each hour of the day, or maybe lounge in the shade during lunch, a fresh veggie pita in one hand, and that novel you've been yearning to finish in the other. Others may take an afternoon hike to ancient Indian dwellings.

Your group may walk to Lathrop Ruin and view ancient pictographs of what is believed to be a solstice calendar, and painted outlines of ancient Anasazi hands that ‘grab' your attention. Or maybe you will have the opportunity to explore Indian Creek Canyon where fascinating Anasazi ruins and a stunning seasonal waterfall await you. Rest assured whatever hikes you and your guides take, the views will inspire more than just a few snapshots. The first refreshing day on the river, spent splashing and playing, storytelling and laughing, carries us past Pyramid Butte, the mighty Goose Neck, and Dead Horse Point. (This spectacular spot, immortalized in Ridley Scott's Thelma and Louise, is where the movie's heroines launch themselves and their car over the cliff and into our imaginations.)

Just above the Confluence we change from motorized travel to oar-powered rafts.

After the mighty Colorado winds us through The Loop (an exceptional example of the river's convoluted twists and turns and a venue for another great hike) we reach The Confluence. The waters of the Green River join our party and Cataract Canyon begins, hinting at the whitewater to come. The Green River merges with us as it leaves Stillwater Canyon and ends its 300+ mile journey from Wyoming. In a slow mix, the clearer waters of the Green take some miles before they concede to the browner Colorado. Our anticipation grows.

Our first day generally sets the pace for our time on the river. Typically, we spend a few hours on the water in the morning, sometimes stopping for a great hike or a visit to a historic site. Come lunchtime, we pull over to a sandy beach and enjoy a delicious picnic. After feasting and relaxing on the beach (or perhaps swimming, a game of Frisbee or a nature walk) we get back in our boats for more exciting whitewater. Mid- to late-afternoon, we stop and make camp; you grab your bags and set up your tent while we take care of the kitchen and "living room"-camp chairs and the site for tonight's campfire (if permitted). Before long you'll be savoring pleasing hors d'oeuvres and the beverage of your choice! Read, nap, or just sit back and laugh with friends and family as we prepare dinner. After another satisfying feast, the evening is yours to spend however you wish. Maybe music, stories or jokes will bring us together tonight; maybe the popping of the fire, the whisper of the river and the clarity of the big, star-filled sky will encourage silent reflection on the amazing wilderness that is, for now, our home.

About three miles beyond the Confluence we will stop at Spanish Bottom, on the verge of our first major rapid. Here we find a fading 1893 inscription from the steamer, Major Powell, where it turned around twice, not daring to take on the rapids immediately below. We are in the Maze District, and nearby rock formations are shouting to be explored. We may take a hike 1,500 feet up to the Doll House, with astounding views in all directions. Walking amidst the giant boulders and eroded rock wonders places the human body in a different scale of surroundings. Look back across the Colorado to the Needles District or climb to the Beehive Arch, another intriguing example of the equation: sandstone + wind + water + copious amounts of time = geologic marvel.

During spring runoff Cataract Canyon boasts some of the largest whitewater in North America. Summer and autumn trips are less harrowing, but with rapids like Mile Long, Capsize and the legendary Big Drops, this section still offers plenty of excitement. As we begin the next morning and drop into Brown Betty Rapids, the preceding days' anticipation of Cataract explodes in cool water and huge smiles. Whatever the water level or the type of boat you are in, the rushes of adrenaline with each new rapid are balanced by the knowledge of your guides' experience and focus on safety. In between the thrills, ask your guide to tell the tale of John Wesley Powell's historic 1869 first descent through these formidable rapids.

All this goes without saying how delicious our cuisine will taste each night, our day's adventures stirring up a hearty appetite. Perhaps you will enjoy grilled salmon with orange zest, wild rice, and a fresh, mixed salad. Or maybe a lean, juicy steak with mushrooms. With the excellent care our guides provide, you'll notice we do genuinely want this to be a memorable experience, right down to the making of new friends and the magnificence of the wide desert sky.

On the 4th day, we arrive at the end of Cataract Canyon and near Lake Powell. As we travel toward Hite Marina, it is difficult not to imagine the wonders drowned in Glen Canyon below us. The bittersweet ending is now here. Thankfully, the scenic flight to Moab grants a bit of time to reflect, as we trace our path backwards through Cataract Canyon from high above, looking down on the beautiful landscape with a birds-eye perspective and looking forward to a delectable dinner and excitement that awaits us at Red Cliffs Lodge in scenic Professor Valley.

Following breakfast at the Lodge we are off to visit two unique areas of Utah on this popular 4x4 hiking adventure through Canyonlands and Arches national parks. We travel on the Shafer Trail, with stops at Fossil Point and Musselman Arch, the Island in the Sky District, Eye of the Whale, Delicate Arch overlook, and other spectacular rock formations that are not visible from the paved road. Upon return to Red Cliffs Lodge we enjoy a delicious dinner in the terraced dining room or from the outdoor deck.

After another light breakfast at Red Cliff we explore the area in true western style with a guided horseback ride to Castle Rock Canyon, the same country through which John Wayne rode more than 30 years ago. You may help the wranglers choose horses suitable for your comfort, and even help groom, saddle and prepare horses for your ride. We wind up the Castle Creek Canyon trail crossing its namesake stream several times. Dramatic 2000 foot cliffs tower above the trail, and there's a chance we'll see deer, coyote, rabbit, and smaller animals along the way. Once you return back to Red Cliff's Lodge you will enjoy a well disserved lunch. Then, in the early afternoon, it will be time to head out with excellent memories of the dramatically beautiful landscape of Utah's Colorado Plateau and time spent at this uniquely relaxing resort.