Whitewater Journals: Rafting Rivers of the Western U.S.

A federal civil servant by day and college professor of history by night, Don Anderson has spent nearly four decades exploring the southern Sierra mountains next to his hometown of Fresno, California.

In Whitewater Journals he chronicles over twenty years of rafting trips down various rivers in the Western United States. The author and his companions travel from the Cascades of the Pacific Northwest to the deserts of the American Southwest to journey rivers both famous (Salmon) and obscure (South Fork of the Owyhee).

Along the way they encounter rain and snow, thunderstorms and sandstorms, flash floods, and even earthquakes. Within these pages lies proof that in the 20th century ordinary people can experience extraordinary adventures.

A note from the author:

Neither I, nor any of my companions are professional river guides. There are many men and women who have made expeditions down exotic rivers which I can only dream of. Yet I believe that is what makes our trips noteworthy, in that common people can still enjoy extraordinary experiences. The individuals that you will read about in this book come from many walks of life. Collectively, our crews consisted of (among others) auto mechanics, nurses, sheet metal workers, civil servants, X-ray techs, teachers, small business owners, a medical student, an orthodontist and a pastor. Despite these differences in occupations, as well as level of experience in the outdoors, I believe that (for the most part) we worked quite well together as a team. Sharing adventures with good friends is one of life’s greatest gifts, and I feel truly blessed to have spent the subsequent rafting trips with a great group of guys.

~Don Anderson