July 28 - Aug 3

Temps cooled this week and azure blue skies returned on Wed as they managed to get the Orleans fire contained. Our late summer season was shaping up quite nicely with additional bookings coming in and minimal smoke from the Oregon fires. This was not to be as on that same Wed evening some arsonists lit multiple fires along the Salmon River roadway and, at present, we are in a smoke and fire filled war zone with the Salmon River road closed. This week's group was amazing for their kindness and understanding and, in fact, there was a ton of learning that went on despite the fact that the road closed on Thurs and we couldn't get to the Klamath. Matt, Bob, Lynn, David and Gus cheerfully put up with the late week crisis and for this we are hugely thankful. Scott Harding and Peter Kettering did a great job keeping things moving. Therese and Bri kept the killer food coming and Kristy took over all the Lodge jobs as no other staff could get here. We are so thankful for all who came this season.  p

July 21 - 27 2013

Certainly one of otter Bar's most successful weeks ever! We had a full adult class as well as a full kid's week which ran simultaneously. Lots of vehicles, shuttles and details but all went according to plan. Very enjoyable group with a wide range of skills and true passion for the sport. It was, however, very hot but this didn't seem to slow down the group at all. Good thing kayaking is such a wet sport. Great seeing Bruce Van Nice again and the Team of Nathan and Sarah Norris was a pleasure to have around. Lots of new people this week. Alex Muck brought her dad, Steve and brother Max along and I believe they pegged the fun meter! Great seeing Eric Weiss and his wife Amy (thanks for all the medical tips) and our resident biologists Paul and Sherry Barrett kept us laughing and tuned to the natural world. We also enjoyed Rachel and Jared Adams who brought a pack of kids to kids camp and I believe we owe a huge thanks to grandpa Phil Harlan for his generosity. Bob Pender and his beautiful daughter Victoria were a lovely addition and I was fascinated with his life story - sorry we didn't talk more. Regan Moore and Lynne Bruno were both delightful to have around and were a positive influence. I loved this week despite the fact that it was a major handful because the group had such a blast together. Thank you all for coming!!  p

July 14 - 20

Great week with lots of repeats and some fun new folk as well! Stunning weather with perfect warm days and cool nights. Caryl Hart and Ione Cutter certainly styled the course with their determination and prowess. Lovely having Penny Cooper back with her welcome positive slant on life as well as Charlie Keene, although we missed his other half. We had a family of four cancel the day before the class and we were sorry not to host the diBonaventura clan.

July 7 - 13

The wedding! In the thirty two years we have been running this place, this week stands out as one of the very best. Steve Canale and Michele d'Hemencourt decided to tie the knot here at Otter Bar. They wanted a low key event with immediate family and friends most of whom would also take a week long kayak class. To say this was a success would be profound understatement. In short, everyone had a blast at this joyous occasion and many even learned to kayak. This was a fantastic group of people and we will be talking about this week for years to come. A huge thanks to Pierre and Nancy d'Hemencourt and Tom and Alida Canale for their incredible support for this crazy idea!

June 30 - July 6

 We only had three intrepid souls this week! Great having Ingrid for a second week and we enjoyed Torre and Guy as well. Wonderful wildlife and paddling on the Klamath. Did some diving at Leaning tree on Wed and hooked Ingrid up with some King salmon sittings. Very mellow and enjoyable week.

June 23 - 29

 Another super fun week with fogs and rain and brilliant sunshine. We went from cool to hot and while the heat felt great it moved into a blistering heat wave just after this group departed! Very game crowd and it was fun having Dan Collins here for a second week. Brubaker gave his recently repaired shoulder a run for it's money and ripped up the K every day (can't believe the dos would allow this). Ingrid was back and will be staying on for a second week and decided to rent the entire lodge (the power of overpaid physicians). Lots of solid learning this week and we had a lot of fun with this group. Thanks for coming!

June 16 - 22 2013

What a fun group we had this week. I believe an amazing time was had by all, especially the boss. Lovely to have Bill and Cheryl (thanks again for bringing Hanna) as well as Sal who gave us some much needed help with our beloved pets! The salmon river was low but stunning and I dove with some King salmon in the upper pool yesterday. Great to see Joanne Roux and Sam Hafez as well as Dan and Elizabeth Cochran who are very long time OB devotees. Speaking of which we enjoyed having Frank Colver who ran his electric motorcycle all over the mountains this week. The Boche family (Philip and Alex) were also here and I am so sorry we missed Adam, as well as their early AM departure on Sat. Speaking of father son combos (we had three last week) it was great seeing Kurt and Tristan back again after innumerable visits! Terry and Roy Nixon were new on the scene, as well as Beth Aldana and they were a most welcome addition. The week was coolish but stunning with lucid sky and cloud scapes galore. The food was 5 star as usual and we love having Bri and Therese turning out exceptional cuisine on a constant basis! It was a memorable week and we thank you all so much for coming.