The V Wave 
stay connected to the river 
 June 2016 - Volume 10 Issue 1

Photo By Dave Edwards
Happy Spring!

The V Wave (named after the legendary wave in Lava Falls rapid) keeps you connected with AzRA Grand Canyon, the river community, and the Canyon. If you have trouble viewing this email, please follow the link at the top of this message to view a web version.  

This spring edition features an article about AzRA's 2015 trip with Veterans, guide portfolio,  Thai Turkey recipe, National Park Service turning 100, and children's book reviews.

Also, don't forget the links at the bottom of the newsletter. These Grand Canyon related sites were chosen just for you!
"Warriors" Share the Experience of a Lifetime

The Grand Canyon River Runners Association sponsored a 10 day river rafting trip for 23 United States Marine Corp wounded warriors and chose Arizona Raft Adventures as their outfitter.  These marines went on a motor supported trip with the added adventure of a paddle boat.  The group of Marines that were chosen were from the Wounded Warriors Marine Corps Regiment.  The Marines did not know each other and had to meet three criteria to be a potential candidate:  first, the Marine had to be physically and mentally able to participate in a 10 Day wilderness adventure; second, the Marine had to be combat injured;  and third, the Marine had to benefit from the experience.  All 23  candidates
 chosen met those requirements. 

Upon returning, the Wounded Warriors put together a video to express the excitement they felt after their rafting experience.  View their video  here. 

In addition, it is important to note that the Grand Canyon River Runners Association (GCRRA) proudly donated 100% of the money given to the Grand Canyon Warriors.  If you would like to donate or would like additional information, visit their site here.

Arizona Raft Adventures is honored to announce that the Grand Canyon Warriors will be rafting with us again in August of this year through sponsorship of Grand Canyon River Runners Association!! 

Guide Portfolio-Somer Morris

Somer Morris, who will be starting her   9 th river season guiding for AzRA, is from Silverton, Colorado and continues to live there when she's not on the river.  During the last few winters, Somer has been skiing powder and attending Fort Lewis College, finishing her Bachelor's of Science in Environmental Biology. 

Somer generally guides oar/paddle trips with the occasional motor swamper position, but she is excited to drive her first motor boat this summer.  

When asked about her favorite rapid, she stated, "It's hard to pick a favorite rapid, but I always look forward to the roller coaster that is Hermit." In addition, it was difficult for her to pick a favorite hike because she enjoys them all.  She did mention that she feels lucky when she is able to go from Little Nankoweep over to Kwagunt. 

Long term, Somer doesn't want to grow up too fast and doesn't want to miss any opportunity to explore and enjoy the amazing planet we live on.  Fun fact about Somer: she likes to Bollywood dance, as well as sing! 




Thai Turkey Recipe
(Serves about 4 people)

Ingredients:

2.5 lbs - Coo ked Turkey Breast
.5 lbs - Carrots
2 - Celery ribs
½ - Yellow Onion
1 can (13.66 oz) - Coconut Milk
2 oz -Curry Paste
1 cup - Basmati Rice

Shred turkey, cut onions into chunks, peel and slice carrots and slice celery.  Mix coconut milk and curry paste together in a pan. Add veggies to the coconut mixture and simmer.  Next, add shredded turkey and heat thoroughly.  

While the veggie/meat mixture cooks, bring 1 ½ cups water to a boil and add rice.  Reduce heat, simmer, cover pot with a lid until the rice is tender and has absorbed all the water.  

Serve when veggies are tender but still crisp.



 
Photo by Rob Elliott
National Park Service Turns 100!

On August 25, 2016 the National Park Service will be celebrating its birthday and 100 years of service.  The Park Service looks forward to beginning the second century of stewardship while inviting people to celebrate with them.  They want to encourage people to explore, learn, be inspired and have fun in their local National Park.  There are 407 national parks and each of them would like to show people how community-based recreation, conservation, and historic preservation programs benefit their local National Park.  

To celebrate the National Park Centennial, the National Park Service and National Park Foundation started the Find Your Park Movement to inspire people to connect with, enjoy and support America's National Parks. 

Visit findyourpark.com/ and #findyourpark on social media for more details.
Locally, the Grand Canyon National park will celebrate the park service turning 100 with free park entrance between Thursday, August 25 and Sunday, August 28, 2016.

 Visit  www.mygrandcanyonpark.com/activities/events/    to learn about upcoming events in honor of the Park Service's 100 th Birthday. 


Book Reviews:  An Arizona Alphabet, G is for Grand Canyon & Adventures of Salt and Soap

 
Currently, the Red River Sports store is excited to sell two children's books.  The first book is called, "An Arizona Alphabet, G is for Grand Canyon" written by Barbara Gowan.  This book is best suited for children in pre-school to second grade.  This alphabet book provides Arizona History and culture where each letter of the alphabet represents a part of Arizona history.  The book has Arizona history for each letter in the alphabet. Because Arizona is the largest producer of copper, the book uses C for Copper and further explains that the star on the Arizona Flag represents copper.  Even many native Arizonans will pick up some new Arizona trivia with this book! To see an excerpt, visit http://sleepingbearpress.com/excerpts/561/read .

The second book is called, "Adventures of Salt and Soap" written by Lori Rome and is best suited for children between the ages of 3 and 5.  This book features a true story about two puppies and their adventures in the Grand Canyon not knowing they're not allowed below the rim of the canyon.  Some of the adventures include a helicopter ride, hikes, and going through the rapids of the Colorado River.  This is a story about puppies' companionship, love and all the friends they meet on their adventure.
To purchase one or both of these fun children's books for a special child in your life, visit our Red River Sports retail store at https://mytrip.azraft.com/shop/media .  

 
Quick Links
 
We would like to thank you for taking time to read our newsletter and for giving us river seasons full of wonderful memories. We hope you will choose to continue receiving this publication so we may stay connected. In fact, we appreciate input; if you have suggestions for future newsletters such as article topics, river stories, photos, poetry, or artwork to share, please email us.
 
See you downstream!   


(Arizona Raft Adventures, Grand Canyon Discovery and Grand Canyon Raft Adventures are concessionaires
under contract with the U.S. Government and administered by the National Park Service.)