One of millions of reviews you could read about the Havasupai hike and experience. I merely hope this piece communicates some of my own personal experiences and feelings that this place created in me.
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Recreation
Let’s adventure together!
Putting together a successful event, that proves to be a Peek Experience and memorable in it’s own way to everyone in a group is a bit of a dance and a work of art.
Do it right, and you can create a masterpiece that is highly desirable.
Do it wrong and you have a mess that can’t end soon enough.
How things work out is based in a partnership between Riverside Adventure Company and our Clients.
We do our best to put together locations, and gear, and staff, and itineraries that create memories.
You are expected to be part of that team, being respectful of all, and a link in a chain that is helping pull in the direction of success.
If either party can’t hold up it’s part of the deal…things go poorly.
Below are five tips we have learned over the years that help keep everyone happy, safe and on the same page. these things keep friction to a minimum and smiles to a maximum.
Read the Waivers
If you look at our waiver, you will see that it’s primarily a contract between our clients and Riverside Adventure Company. It’s an agreement that you will behave, and in return, Riverside Adventure Company will provide you with an experience that is memorable. Waivers are not typically exciting. Many people don’t even bother to read them. Be we think you should, because they might be your first (and maybe best) opportunity to see what your outfitting company expects from you in regard to acceptable and not acceptable behaviors. You will also most likely see the consequences of making the choice to behave outside of expectations.
In Riverside Adventure Company our waiver mentions multiple times that anyone who refuses to behave in the manner outlined in our Waiver CAN AND WILL be removed from the group, at the sole discretion of RAC staff and no refunds will be issued. Anyone working with us should know that fact up front. It is unacceptable to us for one or two people to ruin a trip for others, so we will act quickly to make sure that doesn’t happen.
See the whole rating system HERE
2. Assess yourself and your skills realistically
An unbalanced group can be a nightmare for everyone. No one wants to be “that guy”. No one wants to be the OVERLY skilled and qualified person who is pushing and looking disappointed in everyone else. And no one wants to be the person who is way UNDER skilled and under-qualified for a trip and slowing everyone else down. It’s EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that you understand your skill level and your likes and dislikes in regard to outdoor recreation when you are selecting an event to attend.
The old adage that “a chain is only as strong as its weakest link” is very true and applicable in this case. We won’t pressure anyone, and our Guides do their very best to keep things light and on track, but you can really help them achieve that goal, but REALISTICALLY placing yourself in the situation that will be created by our events, and visualizing how you might react and feel in certain scenarios.
See our complete rating system with examples here: https://david-decoteau.squarespace.com/blog/2026/8/24/rac-event-rating-scale-and-system
3. Stay positive and optimistic.
Let’s have a hypothetical situation here. Say you don’t do any of the things I mentioned above in #1. or #2, and you go ahead and sign up for an event that clearly isn’t going to fit in with your likes, skills, and/or behaviors.
What should I do if I am having a hard time at an event?
A. complain - “the gear sucks”, “the weather sucks”, “something isn’t fair”.
B. berate the activity - ie “I hate hiking”, “bike riding is stupid”, “who would do such stupid activities?”
C. Mope - withdraw and be mad. Don’t respond when spoken to. Be rude.
D. All of the above
E. None of the above
*the correct answer here is “E” none of the above.
Where your group winds up on this scale is a lot up to you.
Use this system to make sure you are contemplating doing the right kind of adventure for you. Although this isn’t an exhaustive and comprehensive look at skills, attitudes, and comfort levels…it is meant to be a rough guide in regard to how satisfied you might be during one of our offerings.
A snapshot of what Riverside Adventure Company does, how we got there, and where we are heading.
The third segment of our West Branch Paddle Club explorations. This entry covers the entire 3rd segment, but it takes three days, and you will cover about 45 miles. A very doable, but significant challenge for most paddlers. We do it in the fall because the foliage could be spectacular.
Japanese garden design tries to illustrate life choices and paths, while celebrating nature, philosophy and art.
Joining the Susquehanna Greenways Partnership as a supporting member is the first step of earning pins and state-level recognition for your achievements as you paddle the West Branch of the Susquehanna River with us. This post will give you the details of how this became part of our offerings, and what it means to you as our Adventurers.
The second leg of your West Branch Paddle Club explorations. This entry has us finishing the first section of river towards our entry into the club. Only three more to go!
First of many blogs about paddling the Susquehanna River. Riverside Adventure Company has decided to become the authority on earning membership in either the Susquehanna 444 Club or the West Branch Paddling Club. These posts will offer useful information for any person who wants access to these very exclusive groups of people.
Recounting a particular day of philanthropy that many would say “sucked”, but that I loved. I ‘m convinced that adversity (and rising to it) is what makes life worth while. And since so many of us seek “comfort” instead of “challenge”: this is the root of many of our societal problems. Few dare embrace and even seek-out challenging situations… and our fulfillment and happiness is waning as a result.
A biased review of the North Branch Canal Trail, by someone who has worked on the project for 17 years and is overjoyed to see it come to fruition.
A photo journal of my annual "fat to less fat" that happens each spring.
The first "Team PA Pestilence" showing at RAGBRAI is a big success! This is a photo accounting of our adventure.
A photo journal of our 2012 trip to RAGBRAI. Offered to help get present and future riders more in tune with the experience.
This is a rough idea of what you can expect daily from you Riverside Adventure Company, RAGRAI Team PA Pestilience experience.
A very long, complete treatment of my experience with "hazing" at Bloomsburg University.
Some of the sand sculptures I have build over the years at various Cape May, New Jersey beaches. I only made this post, because I feel like it's important to be creative, even if you aren't all that good at what you enjoy to do.
I wanted to learn how to farm fish while growing hydroponic plants. This is how my experiment in learning began.