Idaho water adventure company's success

Idaho Statesman reports on the success of the Idaho Canoe and Kayak Club's success.

Its outings have enticed up to 150 Treasure Valley boaters to Idaho waterways since the late 1980s. Floats from May to October typically draw from 40 to 70 boaters.

Stan Kolby and Jo Cassin, the co-owners of Idaho River Sports in Boise, have been an integral part of the club's success.

Although their shop was selling a lot of canoes, Kolby and Cassin found that buyers didn't know where to paddle - or who to paddle with.

"The club did exactly what we wanted it to do," said Kolby, which was to bring together boaters on Idaho's rivers and lakes.

"It totally exploded," Kolby said.

At first canoeists dominated the monthly floats. Then in the mid-1990s, more stable and comfortable recreational kayaks became popular choices.

Read the full story: Explore Idaho by canoe or kayak

Photo from Idaho Canoe and Kayak Club

Five California Bay Area outdoor escapes

San Jose Mercury News reports on five outdoor experts' local escapes.

Kayaking, biking, horse back riding, hiking and star-gazing are covered.

Read the full story: Wanderlust

Photo from ROMP

Kayaking down restored California river

Fresno Bee reporter Mark Grossi reports on his kayak trip down the newly restored waters of Central California's San Joaquin River.

The Friant Dam, that had caused the river to be mostly dry for "the last several decades," has been releasing more water since October 1 due to a federal restoration project, thus making a boat trip possible.

The river's green section from Friant Dam to Gravelly Ford is familiar to many boaters. Officials continuously release water from the dam for riverside property owners, and the river never died here.

But 38 miles downstream at Gravelly Ford, the flow dwindles to nothing in most years. Now, with extra water flowing, that stretch is waking from a half-century of slumber. West of Kerman, the San Joaquin is a gorgeous desert river meandering around cobble islands -- piles of large stones -- as screeching swallows fly in every direction.

Read the full story: Trip tests waters of revived San Joaquin

Photo by Mark Crosse / The Fresno Bee

Nature and budget conscious fall travel

Travel + Leisure magazine via CNN reports on nature-loving fall travel on a budget.

Trips include kayaking among whales in the Pacific Northwest (picture left), biking through the Northeast autumn colors, and hiking amongst the natural scenery of Utah.

Read the full story: Best affordable fall adventures

Picture from Pacific Northwest Adventures.