I thought this would be a fun phenomenon to explain, since most of us have seen something like this before. Usually you need two things: sun and high, thin cirrus clouds. Cirrus clouds are basically full of ice crystals. These crystals are not all alike and come in different shapes and sizes. Sometimes when the sun’s rays pass through these clouds, we get to see some pretty neat optical effects, like sun dogs.

Sun Dog

Sun Dog

Funyaks are available on request and at NO additional cost, for the Rio Grande Gorge full-day trip, the New Wave No Wave half-day float trip and the Racecourse half-day trip. Kids LOVE the funyaks. Unless you are “all thumbs” you should be capable of navigating the rapids on your own in our funyaks. The funyak fleet is always accompanied by guides, either in rafts with other guests or in their own funyaks.

While on a visit to the Glorieta Baptist Assembly, Nate Gerber (aka “Gerb”), the Youth Pastor of the Island Church, of Padre Island, Texas, brought 32 young folks (and a few adults) to raft the Racecourse Class 3 white water stretch. Here’s shots from their trip. Thanks Gerb! See you next time.

Some of this years white water action on the Race Course Section of the Rio Grande River.

A raft powered by 6 of our Guide Trainees, and captained by Britt Huggins, New Wave Operations Mgr., took 2nd place in the Annual Mothers Day raft race. That was after doing two training runs on the Racecourse already that day! Beers were enjoyed at the Blue Heron Brewery in Rinconada during the awards presentation. Today ends the instructional four-day part of the Guide Training Program. Now comes the practice portion, to be followed by the Final Exam on May 24. We think we have some winners in this group. Photos on the above to follow.

This white water video footage was shot on April 23, 2011. We had families, couples and business partners out for some whitewater adventure. The weather was cloudy and cool but we provide the splash gear for your comfort.

Watch it here, or go to New Wave’s You Tube Channel at  http://www.youtube.com/user/NewWaveRafting#g/a for more of our videos covering all our trips and activities.

The Rio Grande river water level is currently suitable for funyaks. Are you on the athletic side? Swim good? Want some additional action? Ask for a funyak (at no additional cost).

Funyaking on the Racecourse white water stretch of the Rio Grande river

We’re sorry that we don’t have a photo for you, but today was our first otter sighting! Britt Huggins and his crew were able to observe an otter for a good 10 minutes, while in the course of their Racecourse white water trip. Otters were re-introduced to the Rio Grande river a few years ago, and appear to be doing very well. One sometimes also sees beavers, muskrats, herons, eagles, ducks, geese, colorful songbirds and more along this highly scenic stretch of river.

Opening day AM Race Course crew were gung-ho and ready. They hailed from Seattle, so a bit of inclement weather was right up their alley.

The Morning Crew

Opening day PM Race Course crew were into it from the get go. They worked really hard and were rewarded with great barbecue from Sugars.

The Afternoon Crew

Our tulips have been up for a while, and the willows are leafing out. We expect our first trip to take place on 4/19, but we’re awful glad that we’re not rafting today, because it’s in the fifties and the wind is howling. Spring is always windy in New Mexico, and this Spring it has really been blowing, with gusts up to 50 mph over the last few days. Of course, the wind always blows upstream, which makes getting a raft downstream particularly troublesome. That’s why we always wait until the last half of April to open. Otherwise, the irrigators in Colorado are already beginning to divert water out of the Rio Grande, so the river is now low and will remain so until the melt starts up in the headwaters. This year our snowpack is at 80% of average, which will shorten our Taos Box season. Our other trips (Rio Grande Gorge, Racecourse, Float) will, as always, run all summer. Hope to see you soon!

Our tulips have been up for a week or so.