Whitewater rafting through the Grand Canyon with Arizona River Runners is AMAZING! We just got back from a 3-Day trip, what an experience. We met our "Host" Tom Vail at the Desert Rose Resort in Vegas Friday morning. He checked us in, got us on our van to the airport. He did not leave us throughout the entire trip. He made sure we were all taken care off from start to finish! Arizona River Runners is the only outfitter to do this, and let me tell you, it makes you feel you're not just another number, but someone they truly care about! We flew from Vegas to the Bar 10 Ranch (an actual working cattle ranch), ate, rode horses, rode ATVs (my very first time!), slept in a covered wagon (sooo much fun). We devoured dinner! Their very own beef - slow cooked, tender, juicy and delicious, with Dutch oven potatoes, a veggie and fresh rolls! Saturday morning we were helicoptered to the Canyon floor! Now stop and think of all the things we've done and haven't even hit the river yet...We got our waterproof bags, our ARR mugs, packed up and boarded our rafts. Our guides/boatmen were fantastic, and yes Tom was still with us. Brian has been running the river for 30 years now - this is his last summer. He was like an artist driving the boat, making sure everyone was safe but still had the thrills of the rapids. I know this is long, but please read on... We stopped for lunch and a hike, back on the boat for more fun. We all pitched in and made dinner that night. Our guides had been on the river for 7days already. It was a great time, visiting with the other rafters, making spaghetti and 2 kinds of sauce, garlic bread and salad - oh and that was after happy hour of cheese, crackers, marinated artichokes, olives...and there was even dessert! In the evening some of us had a rousing game of bocce ball, others chatted, played on the beach, or just relaxed. We slept out in the open, the sky was a blanket of stars - so bright, until the moon came out and it lit up the night sky! Morning rolled around and we woke up to bacon, French Toast and Cowboy coffee! Packed everything up and headed on down the river some more. We hiked up to an incredible waterfall (Travertine Falls), and then our time on the water came to an end. We took our personal belongings, and were jet boated back to a motor coach that returned us Vegas. It was a whirlwind trip, but I learned so much about the Grand Canyon, history, geology, river runners, met wonderful people. The only bad thing about this entire trip was - it was too short! Thank you to Arizona River Runners for this incredible adventure! Everyone should experience this trip or a longer one once in his or her lifetime. ARR treated us like royalty! Thank you Tom, Brian, Tyler, Kelly and Dave!