Family Magic Rafting Trip

Trip Highlights

MEETING PLACE: Hells Canyon Grand Hotel, Lewiston Idaho

MEETING TIME: 7:00 PM PDT

RIVER RATING: Class II-IV
TRIP MILES: 56 - 74 Miles
RETURN TIME: 5:00 PM PDT Lewiston, Idaho

TRIP LENGTH: 4 or 5 days
AGE LIMIT: Minimum age is 5 (10 at high water)
BOAT TYPE: Paddle Raft, Oar Raft, Inflatable Kayaks

TRIP INCLUDES: Services of our talented adventure consultants and professional guides, signature “River Jester,” all meals/beverages as indicated in the itinerary (including special kids menu), all rafting/camping gear, transportation to/from river.

DOES NOT INCLUDE: 6% Land and water access fee, Airfare/transportation beginning and ending points, gratuities, travel protection plan, pre-& post-trip hotel, items of a personal nature

Sample Itinerary

Day 0: Arrive in Lewiston, ID, Orientation Meeting

Travel to Lewiston, Idaho, and meet ROW’s Team Leader and our River Jester™ at the Hells Canyon Grand Hotel at 7:00 pm PST for a one-hour orientation meeting to answer last-minute questions and provide waterproof bags for your gear.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Hells Canyon Grand Hotel (Not Included in trip cost) - Make your reservations early
MEALS INCLUDED: none

Day 1: Nez Perce National Historical Park

Meet your team leader at 7:30 am for a two-hour bus ride to the rafting trip launch point near Whitebird, Idaho. On the way, we'll stop brieﬂy at the Nez Perce National Historical Park for an introduction to the native peoples who lived along the Salmon River for thousands of years. Today many celebrate their heritage by living on the Nez Perce Reservation near the Clearwater and Salmon rivers. By mid-morning, we arrive at our launch point. Summer here is typically dry and hot, with daytime temperatures in the 90’s and nights in the 60‘s. Before launching on family rafting trips, ROW staff prepares you with a thorough safety brieﬁng while the personal gear is loaded. The brieﬁng covers how to ride in a raft, how to paddle, how to swim through rapids, and other tips for the days ahead. Once this is complete everyone chooses a raft - paddle, oar-powered or inﬂatable kayak - and climbs aboard. The Salmon River Canyons is a trip with “pool and drop” characteristics. This means there's a long pool of calm water followed by a rapid. Today we run great introductory rapids that give a fun, roller-coaster ride. When we stop for lunch, some guides prepare the meal while others give a “camp orientation” to explain how we minimize our impact on the river. ROW adheres to "Leave No Trace" camping ethics, so you'll learn where to wash up, how the toilet system works, where to brush your teeth, place trash, etc. Then it’s time to make a sandwich and enjoy the open-air dining experience. Around 4:00 pm we arrive at camp with plenty of free time for hiking, ﬁshing, reading or just relaxing. ROW’s River Jester™ will have fun activities planned for the children. This might be a short nature hike, a game at the river’s edge, or an arts and crafts project. Or kids can simply build sandcastles and play in the water. Parents are welcome to join in or to relax in their own way. Hors-d'oeuvres are served around 6:00 pm along with the kids’ dinner. The adult's dinner is served around 7:30 and kids are welcome to join. After dinner, a campﬁre is lit and an evening of laughter and fun begins. As the night sky darkens we’ll offer an astronomy lesson or story to send everyone to bed with sweet dreams.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Riverside Camping
MEALS INCLUDED: L, D

Day 2: Green Canyon

You'll wake around 7:00 am to the smell of fresh-brewed coffee and tea. Breakfast is served around 7:30, and while we clean up the kitchen, you pack up your personal gear. We depart camp about 9:30 for today's rafting adventure. Plenty of rapids, sun, and dramatic scenery await you on an adventure-packed day of family white water rafting. Of historic interest, we stop to visit a Native American rock art site, left by the original inhabitants of this rugged land. These were the predecessors of today’s Nez Perce tribe and were once the most populous tribe in the Paciﬁc Northwest. Their original homeland covered millions of acres and included settlements along the Salmon, Snake and Clearwater rivers. From these rivers, they caught thousands of salmon that were both a part of their food supply as well as spiritual nurturing. During the cooler months of the year they lived in “pit houses” along this section of the Salmon River and we see evidence of these on our journey down the river. As we visit these sites and study their art, we can only wonder what life must have been like for them in past centuries. Soon after, the river enters “Green Canyon” and we hoot and holler through the exciting rapids of Wright Way Drop and Demon’s Drop. We stop for lunch on a big beach, perfect for swimming and beach games. The afternoon has a few more rapids, peaceful drifting and the chance of seeing soaring eagles. Tonight we camp on a huge white sand beach, and after dinner, we enjoy the evening campﬁre and marvel at the star-studded sky.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Riverside Camping
MEALS INCLUDED: B, L, D

Day 3: Cougar Canyon; Snowhole Canyon

Today your rafting holiday takes you through “Cougar Canyon” and “Snowhole Canyon” for a full day of whitewater rafting fun. Big, splashy rapids like Lorna’s Lulu, Bunghole, the Gobbler, Bodacious Bounce, Snowhole, and China make for great stories and beaming smiles. One of the curious bits of human history unique to Idaho and the lower reaches of the Salmon River is the story of the Chinese miners who came here around 1864. Gold was discovered in 1861 and Chinese miners worked or provided support services for the mining camps. By 1870, 25 percent of Idaho's population was Chinese. In the 1880’s some setup placer mining camps along this stretch of the Salmon River. Using simple hydraulics and hard labor they moved tons of earth to ﬁnd gold. In their camps, they built small rock houses, which remain today as amazing testimony to their skill and endurance. After a full day of learning and fun, we arrive in camp. The hot weather and warm water invite everyone in for a swim. Our guides have a bagful of games and fun for kids and adults, and this evening we may set up a volleyball net, play horseshoes or hike up a nearby mountain for stunning views. Summer evenings in Idaho are long, with darkness arriving after 9:30 pm in July and early August. The night sky, crackling campﬁre, and fresh mountain air will help you sleep like a baby.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Riverside Camping
MEALS INCLUDED: B, L, D

Day 4: Cottonwood Creek; Blue Canyon

More fun rapids and incredible scenery. We may see playful river otters swimming and frolicking. At Cottonwood Creek, the more adventurous might jump in and swim a rapid! We might hike to the old Reeves' homestead at Wapshilla Creek, named for a Nez Perce family who lived in the area. Jackson Sundown, a Nez Perce who was in the famous Nez Perce ﬂight of 1877, married Cecilia Wapsheli and worked at the Reeves’ ranch. In 1916, at the age of 53, he won the Pendleton Round-Up world championship rodeo. That ﬁshing will continue to ﬁnd bass and trout and birdwatchers are likely to spot golden eagles and falcons. Home and worries will seem a thousand miles away. River time has settled into our rhythm and our souls. After lunch, we enter “Blue Canyon,” named for the bluish/black tone of the igneous rock that forms the dramatic landscape. Here the river is forced into a narrower channel and a long series of cascading rapids treats us. We'll bounce through Devil’s Slide, Sluice Box, Checkerboard and Eye of the Needle. These rapids are the perfect ﬁnale to your Salmon River journey. We make camp near the Salmon's conﬂuence with the Snake River. It’s our last night on the river and we'll camp on another expansive white sand beach. These natural beaches can only be found on an undammed river where the ground-up rock is free to travel as sediment downriver, settling to create these beautiful oases of glistening sand. When a river is dammed, the dam traps sediment behind its concrete walls and robs beaches of sand rather than replenishing them.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Riverside Camping
MEALS INCLUDED: B, L, D

Day 5: Snake/Salmon Conﬂuence
If we didn’t arrive yesterday, today we'll see the conﬂuence of the Salmon and Snake Rivers. This is a powerful place where the legendary Salmon “River of No Return” ends its journey and mingles with the waters of the mighty Snake River at the lower end of Hells Canyon. Once we enter the Snake we’re ﬂoating on twice the volume of water as the Salmon alone. The Snake forms state boundaries, and from this point on we have Idaho on our right and Oregon or Washington on the left, depending on location. There are some big waves and big rides and also some long stretches of ﬂat water. As we travel downstream, we'll see the original Nez Perce trail descending down the canyon to a ford used for centuries by the Nez Perce as they traveled east from the Wallowa Mountains (in today’s northeast corner of Oregon). We stop for another ﬁne lunch on a sandy beach and put on a big smile for the group photo. A few more miles of magniﬁcent scenery and then around 3:00 pm we reach our takeout just below the Snake River's conﬂuence with the Grande Ronde River. Gear is untied and everyone carries their personal gear to the waiting bus.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Hells Canyon Grand Hotel (Not included in trip cost) - Make your reservations early
MEALS INCLUDED: B, L

Day 6: Departure
If you drove to Lewiston your car is waiting for you at the hotel. If you ﬂew, take the hotel shuttle to the Lewiston airport or a taxi to the Spokane airport. You may consider visiting our own River Dance Lodge, a beautiful log cabin adventure resort just a few hours drive away. Horseback riding, hiking, fishing, and biking are a few of the available activities. If you're on your way to Glacier National Park this is a great stopping point for a day.

Travel Arrangements

Meeting Time:

We meet you at 7:00 pm in the evening at the Hells Canyon Grand Hotel in Lewiston, Idaho. Here we have an orientation meeting to tell you more about the trip, answer your last-minute questions, and to give you your waterproof bags to pack. As well we'll have some of our specialty outdoor items for sale such as ROW hats, and eyeglass retainers. Early the next morning (around 7:30 am) we leave the hotel in the ROW bus and drive to the put-in. Please have breakfast on your own before we leave. On our 4- and 5-day trips, we put in at White Bird, Idaho, a 3-hour drive from Lewiston. On the last day of the trip, we'll return you to the Hells Canyon Grand Hotel where we encourage you to spend the night.

Lodging Accommodations:

We meet you at the Hell Canyon Grand Hotel in Lewiston, Idaho. Please make these reservations on your own and reserve early. The hotel has storage facilities for your luggage and a place for valuables while you are on the river. Cars may be left in their parking lot. The address is 621 21st St, Lewiston, Idaho 83501. The local phone number is (208) 799-1000.

If you drive:

There are good highways leading to Lewiston from all directions. Some people may even want to ﬂy to Seattle or Portland and drive. From either city to Lewiston it's roughly 350 miles and takes about 6 hours.

If you ﬂy:

The Lewiston airport (LWS) is easily reached by Delta Airlines via Salt Lake City and United via Denver. If you are coming from points east to Lewiston, you will likely have to overnight on the way in Denver or Salt Lake. Alternatively you can fly to Spokane, Washington (GEG) and then rent a car for the pleasant 100-mile south that takes about two hours. While flying direct to Lewiston may take a little longer, you don't have the expense of a rental car. If you fly to Lewiston, our tour hotel, the Hells Canyon Grand, provides a free transfer service to/from the airport from 6am to midnight.

Weather

Of all the sections of the Salmon River, these canyons offer the most idyllic camping conditions and warmest water. There are no mosquitoes and air temperatures are typically between 85-95 degrees during the day and 60-70 at night.

Weather: If you are curious about the weather on the Salmon River, the weather is very similar to the weather on the Snake River as it is very close in proximity. Here is a link to preview the forecast.

When to Go: As the Salmon River Canyons can be too high to float in June, our season starts around July 6 and goes through September. (Note our special 3-day departures offered throughout the season on the “Salmon near Riggins.”) Generally, our 5-day family rafting trips start on Sundays. However, our permit on the Salmon River Canyons allows us to launch any day we want and if we don't have scheduling conflicts, for groups we may be able to be flexible if your schedule requires a different start date. As well, we're able to accommodate groups as small as 18 (or smaller during our shoulder season in September) who want their own private charter.

Getting Ready

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Here at ROW Adventures, our first and foremost goal is for you to have an enjoyable and safe experience. While most of our trips are suitable for beginners, some of our trips are more active than others and it’s important that you understand the physical requirement of the trip you choose.

All of our multi-day rafting trips are active adventures that involve some level of physical exertion and possible exposure to the elements including but not limited to wind, rain, heat, sun, cold temperatures and cold water conditions. ROW Adventures is able to accommodate people with physical limitations, disabilities, and medical conditions; please speak with your Adventure Consultant if you think you will require any additional assistance while on the trip. We ask that you consult your Doctor if you have health or medical conditions that could impact your ability to participate in an active and outdoor adventure. In general, all trip participants must be able to do the following:

Wear all protective and safety equipment that is required by ROW Adventures and recommended/required by industry-wide standards.

Load and unload, on their own or with the aid of a qualified companion, the bus and/or van providing transportation for ROW Adventures activities.

Reach the river access points (put-in and take-out) on their own, or with the aid of a qualified companion.

Enter and exit the raft, or inflatable kayak on their own or with the aid of a qualified companion.

Remain seated and balanced in a floating raft, or inflatable kayak w/ the aid of adaptive equipment, if necessary.

Perform all on water activities, including following instructions that like paddling commands from the guide in class I and higher whitewater on their own or with the assistance of a qualified companion.

Float on their back when entering moving and still water. The participant must be capable of turning from face-down to face-up in the water with the aid of a Personal Floatation Device and must be able to hold their breath while underwater.

Remain calm and keep breathing under control in the event of a whitewater swim.

Get out from under a raft, whether the raft is up-right or capsized, in moving water.

Climb into the raft, with the help of another person, should an involuntary swim happen at any point on the river.

Make progress toward the shoreline or a raft by swimming in moving water and must be able to exit the river and ascend the shoreline once reached.

Participate as an active paddler when instructed by the guide for the duration of the trip.

Move about the campsite on their own or with the aid of a qualified companion on all trips that include overnight camping and/or lunch.

Packing List

Packing properly for a river trip is CRITICAL to your enjoyment while on the river. We recommend that you prepare yourself for three basic scenarios:

A cool day on the river.
A warm day on the river.
Time spent lounging in camp.

Take care of these, and you are free to let the river and the canyon work their magic.

Weather in the northwest is unpredictable. You must come prepared for the cold/wet weather and hot/sunny weather – sometimes even on the same day! The following information will help you be prepared for the expected as well as the unexpected events of your trip. You may not use all of the gear listed below, but we recommend bringing it all!

DRYBAGS THAT ROW PROVIDES

One large waterproof bag (16” in diameter x 33” tall) per person. This will contain your sleeping bag as well as your personal clothing and items. This bag is NOT accessible during the day as it goes ahead of the group with our cargo raft.
Note: This bag will also contain additional gear provided by ROW: Sleeping bag, flannel liner & pillow
A small daypack (9” in diameter x 20” tall) for items you want to access during the day such as rain gear, sunscreen, camera, medications, etc.

WHAT YOU SHOULD PACK:

All of your personal items should be packed into a soft-sided duffle bag approximately 12” x 13” x 24” in size. Due to weight allowances and raft space, please limit your gear to 20-25 pounds. This bag will then go inside of your large waterproof bag provided by ROW.

ITEMS FOR ON THE RIVER

Two T-Shirts (1 quick dry and 1 cotton for a hot day)
One light long-sleeved shirt for sun protection and cool evenings. Popular options are a rash guard or sunscreen shirts.
Two pairs of shorts (nylon quick drying always better than cotton).
Light pants are great for sun protection or on a windy day. Lightweight zip off pants works great.
Swimsuit – two-piece suits are easier for women - tankinis with river shorts are a great option.
One pair of river sandals (must have a secure ankle strap, no flipflops or crocs!) Velcro is okay if in good condition. Popular name brands include Chaco, Teva, Keen, or Merrells. Tennis shoes with polypro socks are a good option if your feet tend to get cold.
One Cap, Sun Hat or Visor (ROW hats are available when you arrive.)

ITEMS GOOD TO HAVE IN YOUR DRY BAG ON THE RIVER

One rain suit, jacket & pants (windbreaker without cotton liner works well, but no cheap ponchos)
Mid-weight to light-weight long underwear tops and bottoms. Best worn over a swimsuit and undershorts.
One synthetic or wool mid-weight sweaters for layering on the river on cool days.
Sunglasses with retaining cord/device
Bee Sting kit for those allergic to bees
Biodegrable sunscreen (we highly recommend Stream2Sea as an all natural option)
Lip balm with SPF 20-50
Water bottle with carabiner
Extra Sun Hat, Cap or Visor

ITEMS FOR TIME AT CAMP

Two Short sleeve shirts (Enjoy clean and comfortable cotton)
One pair of pants (lightweight nylon, cotton or fleece)
Pair of shorts
One synthetic mid-weight sweaters for cool evenings
Underwear and socks
Flashlight or headlamp with extra bulb and batteries
Skin lotion, lip balm, waterproof sunscreen, etc.
Toilet kit - toothbrush and paste, soap ( biodegradable is best, no soaps can be used in the river), camp towel, washcloth, comb, handkerchief, a small pack of tissues, small mirror, moist towelettes, shaving stuff, feminine sanitary supplies, etc.
Extra eyeglasses and/or contact lenses strongly suggested. ALL glasses need a head strap!
One pair of tennis shoes or walking shoes for cooler weather and hiking. (We don’t recommend you bring large hiking boots as they take up too much space and aren’t necessary.) Flip-flops/ crocs are also comfortable for easy walking on sandy beaches!

OPTIONAL ITEMS

Camera – waterproof digital with extra batteries & memory card recommended. Many guests use smartphones (there is NOT cell service on the river). A waterproof case is highly recommended for protection and ease of use.
Paddling Gloves
Sarong –- a good item to help you cool off if you do not want to swim.
Sundress for camp
One female urinary device (allows women to urinate standing up without removing clothing). Silicon or hard plastic ones work great. Popular name brands include Gogirl and Shewee.
2-3 Carabiners for clipping items to the boat
Binoculars
Plastic garbage bags (2-3 for separating dirty/wet clothes in your waterproof bag)
Cards, games, books, musical instruments, journals
Fishing gear and Idaho fishing license if you plan to fish - must be in a protective case & disassembled. Only catch and release fishing with single barbless hooks is allowed!!

LAYERING FOR OUTDOOR COMFORT
Clothing layers are the thermostat of the wilderness. As you get ready for your river trip, think about dressing in layers. By adding and subtracting layers you can keep yourself perfectly comfortable. If you were to look into the dry bags of a well-prepared river guide you would see packing for three weather scenarios -- cold, wet days; hot, summer days; and cool evenings and mornings in camp. All of your on-river clothing should be made from synthetic fabrics with names like fleece, pile, polypropylene, Capilene™ or polyester. A cotton T-shirt is used occasionally on hot, sunny days, but cotton clothing is best saved for on-shore camp use.

LAYER #1: The layer next to your skin should be close-fitting and thin. Start with a swimsuit and/or swim trunks and synthetic or wool shirt as a base layer. You do not want to wear cotton on the river on cool rainy days. The evaporation of water from a wet cotton layer will actually make you colder! Synthetic fibers maintain insulative properties when wet and "wick" moisture away from your skin.
LAYER #2: The next layer should also be made of a synthetic fiber, but should be a bit heavier in weight. If you get too warm you can always peel this layer off.
LAYER #3: The outer layer is what is known as the "barrier" layer. This layer should be waterproof and loose-fitting enough to give you a good range of motion. The idea of this layer is to seal out water, and seal in the warmth generated by you and insulated by layers # 1 and # 2. A good rain suit can do the job, or a good paddling jacket and pants. Not only will this protect you from rainstorms, but chilly water temperatures when running rapids as well!

FISHING

If you plan to fish, please bring your own fishing gear (with a protective case), as we do not have any to loan. An IDAHO fishing license is required if you plan on fishing. You can pre-purchase a license by going to the website https://idfg.idaho.gov/license/purchase-options. You can purchase a license in Lewiston only if arriving prior to 6 pm. You must have a current driver’s license to purchase a license.

LIQUOR AND PREFERED BEVERAGES

ROW packs moderate quantity of soft drinks as well as wine and beer for legal age guests. If you bring liquor, please give it to your guide in a labeled plastic container. Beer should be in cans - No glass beer bottles please. Bottled wine is fine. All liquors in IDAHO are sold in State Liquor Stores with limited hours. Please be aware we have limited space on our rafts therefore moderate quantities, please. If you are arriving after 7 pm BE SURE TO PURCHASE your liquor at home and bring it with you.

GRATUITIES:

Like anyone in the service business, river and outdoor adventure guides appreciate gratuities. Our guides are some of the best and most highly trained in the business. They not only guide your raft down the river, but set up camp, cook and serve gourmet meals, provide interpretation on the natural and cultural history of the area and strive to provide the highest level of hospitality. Tipping is ultimately a personal decision, however if you appreciate the service your guides provided, then as a guideline we suggest a gratuity of 10-20% of the trip price.

Tips can be given to the ROW Team Leader at the end of the trip in the form of cash or personal check. The Team Leader distributes them equally among the guides and gives a portion to ROW’s behind-the-scenes, unsung heroes like our drivers and food shoppers.

Reading List

Some of our favorite books on the Salmon River

Lower Salmon River boaters guide - Take a look at a Salmon River Map

Salmon River Lore - A brief history of the Salmon River

Cadillac Desert: The American West and its Disappearing Water, by Marc Reisner (Penguin Books).
This is an enlightening and easy to read book about water politics in the West. It does not contain much about Idaho – but is still a must read – especially with the current debate over removing the four lower Snake River dams. Highly Recommended.
Children of Grace, by Bruce Hampton, Henry, Holt Publishers, 1994
(out of print as of March 1998 – but in ROW founder, Peter Grubb’s opinion, one of the best! Look for it at used bookstores or try www.bibliofind.com. If you're only going to read book about the Nez Perce and the war of 1879, this is the one. Highly recommended. (Out of print, available online)
Idaho Chinese Lore, by Sister M. Alfreda Elsensoln (Idaho Corporation of Benedictine Sisters and printed by The Caxton Printers, Ltd. In Caldwell, 1970).
Try your local library. (Out of print, available online)
Idaho for the Curious: A Guide, by Cort Conley (Backeddy Books).
This thick book is a great resource for the curious. Conley follows the roads and relates the natural and human history of the areas. It’s worth the money and the perfect companion in your car for your dog to read to you as you drive.
Idaho Loners, by Cort Conley (Backeddy Books, 1994).
An in-depth look into the lives of the hermits, solitaries and individualists that shaped Idaho’s history. Fun, intriguing, biographical reading. Highly recommended.
Indians of Idaho, by Deward E. Walker Jr. (University Press of Idaho).
Myths of the Idaho Indians, by Deward E. Walker Jr. (University Press of Idaho, 1982). (Out of print, available online)
Nez Perce Coyote Tales, by D. Walker (University of Oklahoma Press, 1994).
River of No Return, by Johnny Carrey and Cort Conley (Backeddy Books, 1977).
This is probably the best book to deepen one’s appreciation of the Salmon River Canyons.
Rivers of the West - A Guide to the Geology & History, by Elizabeth L. Orr & William N. Orr. (Out of print but available online)
Roadside Geology of Idaho, by David D. Alt and Donald W. Hyndman (Mountain Press Publishing Company, 1989).
Few states pack so many different rocks into such a small area as Idaho, the book covers this unique occurrence in an exciting geologic story.
Roadside History of Idaho, by Betty Derig (Mountain Press Publishing Co., 1996).
“The best way to enjoy Idaho’s rich heritage is to visit the sites where history happened”. This book transports you to those places through well-researched, well-told text and vivid historical photographs.
Salmon And His People, by Dan Landeen and Allen Pinkham. (Confluence Press, Lewis & Clark State College, 1999).
Fish & Fishing in Nez Perce Culture, illustrated with 200 color photographs as well as dozens of historic images to chronicle the importance of fish and fishing to the Nez Perce people. This books give you a real sense of how important the Salmon were and are to the Nez Perce. Highly recommended. (Out of print, available online)
Sources of the River, by Jack Nisbet (Sasquatch Books, 1994)
Jack re-creates the life and times of David Thompson fur trader, explorer, surveyor, and mapmaker who blazed the way West before Lewis and Clark. As a result of adding his own observations Jack has created a fascinating story of two men discovering the Northwest Territory almost two hundred years apart. (Author Jack Nisbet lives in Spokane and has traveled the Missouri River as a ROW interpretive guest.) Highly recommended. (Out of print, available online)
The Biography of a Grizzly, by Ernest Thompson Seton (University of Nebraska Press, 1987).
Seton wrote over 60 books around the turn of the century and was the main person to bring to Western consciousness the idea of wild animals having personalities and character, sharing life struggles similar to humans. This book is the story of the life of a grizzly cub who grows up alone in the mountains of northwestern Wyoming. Highly recommended.
The Education of Little Tree, by Forrest Carter (University of New Mexico Press, 1976).
The true story of a Cherokee boy’s unique education in the 1930’s. A wonderful book that shows the stark contrast between the values, awareness and relationship with nature of the Indians versus those of white people. Highly recommended.
The River Reader, by John A. Murray (The Lyons Press, 1998).
A collection of writings that is composed of both classic selections and contemporary writings from twenty-two diverse writers that are devoted to a single environmental subject.
The Weiser Indians: Shoshoni Peacemakers, by Hank Corless (The Caxton Printers, Ltd., 1996).
“This book documents Indian-white relations in the southwestern Idaho during the time of initial white encroachment onto Indian lands. It also offers a perspective on all native peoples of the northern Great Basin”. Besides that it illustrates the daily life and culture of an Idaho Indian tribe around the time of the first settlement of Idaho by white people. Highly recommended. (Out of print, available online)
Thunder Mountain, by Zane Grey (Walter J. Black, Inc., 1932).
A fantastic story about a gold mine near the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in the 1860’s. It is no longer in print. Try your local used bookstores for a copy of this great book!
Undaunted Courage, by Stephen Ambrose (Simon & Schuster, 1996).
A must read! A poignant human drama of Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the opening of the American West. This book is one of the main reasons so many people are intrigued by the Lewis and Clark story. Highly recommended.