High Life on the Rio Grande
and
other Southwest Rivers

A San Antonio restauranteur has joined forces with a Texas river outfitter to serve up what they describe as a "combination nature trek and bacchanalia" on the Rio Grande Gourmet raft trips, cooked up by chef Francois Maeder (left) in collaboration with Terningua-based Far Flung Adventures, take participants on a three-day, 20 mile white-water journey thru Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend National Park.

Each trip is accented by multiple-course meals that transform traditional Lone Star ingredients into campground haute cuisine. On recent trips, Maeder's menus, accompanied by wines from Texas vineyards, have included mushroom-stuffed wild quail, marinated Gulf shrimp en brochette, fettuccine with pine nuts, rack of lamb, and prickly pear and strawberry trifle.

In the evenings, campers dine to various styles of music performed by the live musician du jour.

Scheduled Trips:

Note: Variable water conditions may mandate a change of river corridor and meeting times. Your party will be contacted prior to the departure date if such conditions arise.

Big Bend, Texas

• Feb 22-24 2008
• Mar 7-9 2008
• Apr 4-6 2008
• Oct 10-12 2008
• Nov 7-9 2008
• Ask about private trips

Cost: for the Big Bend only $775 per person (plus 7.75% Texas State Tax... $100 non-refundable deposit per person is your reservation... Balance due no later than 14 days prior to beginning of trip. Cancelations after the 14 day period (prior to departure) will not receive a refund of fees paid.

More info on the other gourmet trips follows The Big Bend itinerary

Departure Time: 9:00 am at Far-Flung Adventures office in Terlingua Ghost Town. Participants should check in the evening before the trip.

Welcome to Far-Flung Adventures " World Headquarters" in Terlingua.

We're located near the western gateway to Big Bend National Park on the Rio Grande (REE-oh GRONday) frontier. We are about 300 miles from the commercial airports at Midland-Odessa, El Paso and Chihuahua City, Mexico, and 430 miles from San Antonio. Our shopping center is in Alpine, Texas, 85 miles away. The traditional means of transportation for our guests has been private vehicle.

BY CAR: The simplest way to get to Big Bend is to drive, either from your home or one of the airports. Three highways lead into the park from the north...US Highway 67 which runs from Marfa to Presidio where it intersects Texas Ranch Road 170, 67 miles west of Terlingua. It also runs into the park where it meets the southern terminus of US highway 385 at the Park Headquarters. US 385 runs northward through Marathon and on to IH-10 at Fort Stockton.

Abilene 420	Dallas 590	Midland / Odessa 250
Amarillo 500	El Paso 300	San Angelo 330
Austin 500	Houston 640	San Antonio 430
Corpus Christi 560	Lubbock 390

STAYING IN BIG BEND: Although Big Bend retains much of the peace and isolation that is a major part of its appeal, accommodations are not as primitive or rare as they once were. In addition to campgrounds and RV facilities, there are hotels and motels to suit most tastes and needs. We can make reservations at any of these fine lodges and hotels for you...

• Very Near-
  • Big Bend Motor Inn / Mission Lodge 915-371-2218, 5 miles, most convenient 800-848-2363, Reservations
  • Chisos Mining Company 915-371-2254, 4 miles, economical
• Reasonably Close-
  • Lajitas on the Rio Grande 915-424-3471, 12 miles, complete resort (Badlands, Cavalry Post, Etc.)
  • Chisos Mountain Lodge 915-477-2291, 35 miles, within park
  • Longhorn Ranch 915-371-2541, 11 miles, new
• Within Striking Distance
  • The Gage Hotel, Marathon 915-386-4205, 100 miles, charming, historic
  • Holland Hotel, Alpine 915-837-3455, 85 miles, charming, historic 800-535-8040, Reservations
  • Terlingua Ranch Lodge 915-371-2416, 38 miles, isolated, economical
  • Alpine Chamber of Commerce 915-837-2326, 85 miles, 10 motels

Far-Flung Adventures
P.O. Box 377
Terlingua, Tx 79852
1-800-359-4138

Email: info@farflungoutdoorcenter.com
or visit http://www.farflungoutdoorcenter.com

Crumpets Restaurant
3920 Harry Wurzbach Rd
San Antonio, Tx 78209-2410
phone 210-821-5600
fax 210-821-5624

Email: crumpetsa@aol.com

Day One

Meet at the offices of Far-Flung Guides in Terlingua. A short instruction on rafting etiquette and procedures will be followed by the packing of gear into watertight rubber bags. Cameras and binoculars go into sealing ammunition boxes. Drive to the Put-In at the historic river crossing in Lajitas. Launch onto the river; stop for a cold lunch by the river, then return to the boats for a brief float to the evening campsite... Pitch tents, dine in great style, enjoy the concert and the river, the nighthawks and owls.

Gourmet trips are leisurely, with plenty of time during each day for off river exploration, swimming, or just enjoying the view. On the first day, we meet at the Flung Adventures office in the Ghost Town of Terlingua. Gear is packed into watertight bags. We drive to the historic river crossing in Lajitas and launch on the river.

We stop for lunch by the river, in sun or shade, depending upon the weather, and return to the boats for the float to camp. At the camp site we pitch tents, dine in great style, and enjoy the concert of musicians, the river and the sounds of nature.

Day Two

Awake to the smell of freshly brewed cowboy coffee from a fire-blackened pot and a hearty breakfast by Francois. Perhaps take a short hike away from the river corridor into the totally different world of the desert. Watch aerial ballet of hummingbirds contending for bright flowers. Pack your gear for another morning on the river. Float past ancient lava beds and modern-day campts where Mexican peasants turn Candilla (a desert plant) into one of the world's highest quality waxes

Float through Santa Elena, a canyon whose sheer limestone walls drop sharply into the Rio Grande's waters from a height of up to 1,500 feet. At one point, the Rockslide Rapid, the river curls its way through a mass of boulders that has fallen off the canyon walls.

On the Texas side of the river, the Mesa de Anguila rises into the sky; until now you have floated past the mountain... Now you will penetrate its' heart. Not far past from the sinuous entrance rapids the rockslide appears. A huge section of the canyon wall tumbled into the river thousands of years ago, all but blocking the channel. The river now makes it's way over, around, and under house-sized boulders; a labyrinth that leaves little lattitude in the course it takes. Enjoy another river-side lunch and continue on to camp.

At camp within the canyon, Francois will prepare another of his superb meals while you kick back and discuss the events of the day. The setting sun illuminates the canyon wall high above your head while a canyon wren bounces it's trilling song around the natural echo chamber.

Day Three

The third day, rise to catch the sunrise as it lights up the towering canyon walls. After breakfast, pack your bag for the last time and head down river to explore more of the canyons features before continuing downstream and exploring more of these beautiful canyons. As if we need it by this time, another excellent Far Flung Adventures deli-style lunch is served. Early to mid afternoon, we bid adieu to the Rio Grande, and make our way back to the real world of highways, telephones, and fast food.

THREE-DAY WORLD CLASS WHITEWATER TRIP
TAOS BOX CANYON

2008 Dates Pending
Contact Us For Info or
Check Out the Big Bend Trip Dates

COST: $860 per person plus NM sales tax

ABOUT THIS TRIP:  Come see why the Taos Box is considered to be one of the premier Class III & IV whitewater runs in North America.  Our longest New Mexico River trip begins near Questa, NM at the Rio Grande Gorge Wild & Scenic Recreation Area and ends south of Taos near the village of Pilar at the Taos-Rio Arriba County Line. It’s not uncommon to see eagles, falcons, deer and coyotes during your time on the river.  This is truly a spectacular wilderness experience.

SAMPLE ITINERARY (Subject to change based on water flows.)

DAY ONE begins with a mile hike down a steep, but well maintained trail at Arsenic Springs.  You’ll raft from the foot of the Class VI Little Arsenic Springs rapid through the long boulder-ridden La Junta Rapid.  Camping at Mamby Hot Springs the first night will require a one mile walk to the top of the mesa where you’ll spend the evening in the shadow of the Sangre de Cristo mountains while a wonderful meal is prepared for you. 

DAY TWO  After a full breakfast you’ll cover 15 miles and 15 named rapids .  Beginning at the precipitous Powerline Falls, you’ll descend at an average gradient of 55 feet per mile through drops with names like Rockgarden, Screaming Left Hand Turn, Enema and finishing at Sunset where your run is captured on film by the folks at Southern Exposure.  The second night is spent along the river at the Orilla Verde Recreation area.

DAY THREE is a 12 mile day with Class III rapids including Big Rock, Sleeping Beauty and Souse Hole on the Pilar Racecourse section of the Rio Grande.  Trip length varies with water flows.  When the water is higher, it’s going to move you faster down the river.  You will get back to your car typically around 1:30 pm to 3 pm.

SUITABILITY:  We welcome rafters twelve years of age (90 lbs) and older, experienced or beginners of normal, good health as this trip requires a few steep hikes.

SAFETY:  River trips contain an element of risk.  Far-Flung Adventures is thoroughly equipped and prepared to minimize the risks.  We use quality manufactured self-bailing river rafts. At the river, Personal Floatation Device (lifejacket) will be fitted to you.  Instruction in river safety and paddling techniques will be given and then you’re on the river. Far-Flung Guides are experienced, friendly, professional boatmen and women who are committed to making your trip safe and fun.  Our knowledgeable and committed guides all have at minimum CPR and Advanced First Aid or First Responder training.  Most of our guides are also certified as EMTs and are trained as Swiftwater Rescue Technicians

SUGGESTED LODGING:  The nearest lodging is the Abiquiu Inn.  Please mention to them that you are taking a Far Flung adventure.  Their number is 800-447-5621.

WHAT TO WEAR AND BRING:  A detailed “Gear Checklist” will be provided with our trip confirmation.

GOURMET SPECIAL  RIO CHAMA THREE-DAY FLOAT

2008 Dates Pending

COST: $860 per person plus NM sales tax

ABOUT THIS TRIP:  The 25 mile Rio Chama trip begins in alpine woodlands as a clear, rushing trout stream and ends at the head of Abiquiu Reservoir as a desert river, rolling among the rainbow cliffs so typical of the Four Corners region.  Wooded campsites and lively, but easy rapids make the Chama one of the best river outings anywhere.

MEETING TIME AND PLACE:  We meet at 9:00 a.m. sharp at Bode’s General Store, Abiquiu, New Mexico on Hwy. 84.  It’s a gas station and convenience store.  You can’t miss it.  

TRIP ITINERARY: 

DAY ONE- Sit back and view the vistas of the craggy peaks of the San Juan Mountains, the massive Brazos Cliffs, over 3,000 vertical feet high, and the village of Tierra Amarilla, during the hour and a half drive to our launch site.  Departing from El Vado Ranch, a rustic, riverside fishing resort, the Rio Chama immediately whisks us away through a series of swift riffles and into the evergreen lined canyon.  We enter the Chama Canyon Wilderness and negotiate Aragon Rapids (class II).  Camp is on an old high water bench, under shelter of ponderosa pines and Douglas firs.

DAY TWO- Enjoy a leisurely morning while your camp chef prepares for you a gourmet breakfast.  Possible side hikes today may include a hike up any of the numerous side canyons or to the top of Navajo Peak to enjoy the spectacular vista.  Arrive at camp early for more relaxation or perhaps some birding.

DAY THREE- You will encounter some longer, steeper rapids among the multi-hued sandstone cliffs rising up to 1,000 feet high.  Emerging from the wilderness area, we observe a quiet zone as we pass the Christ in the Desert Monastery.  Now begins the lively whitewater run (Class II-III) into the headwater of Abiquiu Reservoir.  Our mid-afternoon takeout enables us to return you to your vehicles before evening.