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Creme Brulee

by Zachary on July 9th, 2011

Here at ECHO we love cooking on the river and sometimes we get a wild hair to try things out of the ordinary. Last week we decided to try and make Creme Brulee from scratch. We found a great recipe on the internet and scaled it up for a group of 30.

Ingredients

36 egg yolks
2-1/4 cups white sugar, divided
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
15 cups heavy cream
3/4 cup brown sugar

Directions

1. Prepare 2 dutch ovens by heating the lids and lighting 50 coals.

2. Separate 36 egg yolks. Add 4 tablespoons sugar and vanilla in a mixing bowl and beat until thick and creamy.

3. Pour cream into a dutch oven and stir over low heat until it almost comes to boil. Remove the cream from heat immediately. Stir cream into the egg yolk mixture; beat until combined.

Audrey Stirring the Cream in a Dutch Oven

4. Pour cream mixture into the top of a double boiler. You can create a double boiler by placing a dutch oven in a bigger pan or a dish pail. Stir over simmering water until mixture lightly coats the back of a spoon; approximately 3 minutes. Remove mixture from heat immediately.

Zach and Audrey Using the Homemade Double Boiler

5. Separate cream mixture into 2 dutch ovens. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and cool to room temperature by holding the dutch ovens in the river.

Baking the Custard in Dutch Ovens

6. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour by putting the dutch ovens on ice in a cooler.

Custard Dutch Ovens on Ice

7. In a small bowl combine the remaining brown and white sugar.

8. Scoop the custard into small bowls (sierra cups work great) and use a spoon to create an even top surface. Sift the sugar mixture evenly over the top of each cup.

Adding Custard to Sierra Cups

9. Use small propane torch or creme brulee torch to carmelize the sugar. It should melt into a solid layer on top of the custard.

Carmelizing the Sugar

Serve and enjoy!

Posted in Recipes

Wine Tasting for our Rogue River Trips

by ECHO Staff on June 24th, 2011

Southern Oregon’s Rogue River Valley is quickly becoming a hot spot in the wine making industry. With over 40 wineries in the Bear Creek, Applegate, and Illinois river valleys, the task of narrowing down which wineries to feature on our Rogue trips this year seemed daunting. We began talking to a few of the local wineries just to talk prices and quantities, since we were hoping to return home with thirty plus cases of delicious wines. Having a couple definite stops in mind, we hoped fate would lead us in the right direction of other stops along the way. Our first stop though was the charming, historic town of Jacksonville, OR for a night of music with Ray LaMontagne at the annual summer Britt Fest concerts.

ECHO Guides Billy and Jeni Hard at Work Testing Wines

Upon arriving at the Britt Fest too late to obtain very good seats, we began wandering around the grounds in search a better view. We quickly found ourselves in the empty “reserved” bench rows. I began talking to the man next to me, Pat, who works at a nearby winery just outside of Cave Junction. I tell him of the mission we have been sent on for the next day, and he hands us two bottles of wine he just so happens to have with him. Two hours later, and with a belly full wine, we have made arrangements to meet him tomorrow at the winery and purchase some wine for our trips. Could this be fate?

Our first stop the next day was Valley View Winery where we met one of the owners Mark who poured our tasters. Valley View was originally established by Peter Britt in the 1850’s, but the name was restored in 1972 by the Wisnovsky family for their vineyard and winery in the beautiful Applegate Valley. We purchased Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay.

Next stop, Bridgeview Vineyard and Winery. The Kerivan family started Bridgeview in 1986 with a 75-acre field in the Illinois Valley. Between this and the 80-acre vineyard located in the Applegate Valley, they grow almost all of the grapes used for their wines. Here we met Drew, and he helped us to quickly fill our car with cases of Merlot, Reisling, and Cab/Merlot Blend.

Our third stop was to meet our new friend Pat, at Foris Vineyards Winery. Their first vines were planted in1974, and in 1986, they began producing their own wines at the family owned estate in the Illinois River Valley. Here we purchased and filled to the car to the brim with Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Cabernet Franc, and their Red Blend called the Flyover Red. Whew, what a day. Thirty-eight cases of wine later we were headed back home. Not only did we have an amazing day and make new friends, but we also have delicious, local wines to bring on our river trips this summer.

So come join us on a Rogue River trip this summer and try out our hand picked wines! Its just one of the many components that come together to make ECHO River Trips the best choice for a trip down the Wild and Scenic Rogue River of Southern Oregon.

Posted in Rogue River Rafting

Celebrating the Month of May and Welcoming June!

by ECHO Staff on June 14th, 2011

Summer is finally here and we’re so excited that the warm weather is starting to shine through! Our trips on the the Rogue River during the past month had amazing scenery, cascading waterfalls and abundant wildflowers! Although we’re sad to see May end, we are more than excited to greet the beginning of June.

Here are a few photos of the Rogue River and a few amazing quotes our guests wanted to share:

“The guides were fun and fascinating. A true asset to the company and and what really made the experience unique and phenomenal. They are a group of hard working individuals and we truly appreciate it!! Thanks for a great paddle” – Alice, Eugene, OR

“What a wonderful, memorable trip! The guides were experienced, knowledgeable, and took great care with the environment (and in teaching us about it). Our safety, comfort, and “fun factor” were their goals, which they passed with flying colors! The food was more than your typical camping fare, delicious, healthy and plentiful. Thanks for such a great time! Highly recommend this adventure to anyone!” – Nancy, Bainbridge Island, WA

“A great diverse group of strangers who got together on the rogue and had a awesome time. Cannot wait to go again, and myself and my wife had never been rafting before! Thank you ECHO and thank you JR and Billy. The whole crew rocked!” – Jeff, Salem, OR

“Hands down, most AMAZING trip I’ve been on! (And I’ve been on some pretty cool trips). The scenery was breath taking, the guides were fantastic/fun people, and the food was delicious. We got to see picturesque waterfalls and a number of wonderful animals (bald eagles, bears, deer, osprey, otters, turtles, salamanders, etc). I love to camp but the meals they served us would put a number of restaurants to shame they were so yummy and diverse!” - Bridget, Troutdale, OR

Posted in Rogue River Rafting

Biggest Snow Pack on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River Since 1974!

by ECHO Staff on May 26th, 2011

The latest reports from Idaho are predicting amazing flows on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River throughout the 2011 season. The Salmon River basin has a snow pack of 140% of average, which hasn’t been seen in over 35 years. The Middle Fork of the Salmon River’s Facebook Page has come alive with predictions and wagers for the peak flow, and outfitters are preparing for higher then normal flows this summer!

Entering the Impassible Canyon on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River

Unlike other seasons that had the Middle Fork flows dwindling by the end of the summer, we expect to see great flows well into August. If you haven’t booked your Middle Fork trip yet, look to late July and August, when the weather will be hot and sunny and the river will likely have plenty of water to raft the full 100 miles.

ECHO has availability on some great dates like the Kids Trip July 31-August 5 with a reduced rate of $1445 for ages 7-17 or the August 16-21 trip which should have amazing fishing as the trout fatten up for fall.

Posted in Middle Fork of the Salmon River

Morrison’s Rogue River Lodge

by Janda on May 5th, 2011

Top Ten Reasons to Stay at Morrison’s Rogue River Lodge

Morrison's Lodge from the Rogue River

1. Great Location – You’ll settle into the peace and quiet of your river trip early with a stay at Morrison’s the night before you head out. The Lodge is located right next to the Rogue River where a beautiful eddy swirls in the afternoon sun.

2. Orange Rolls – My mouth waters just thinking about these delectable rolls that are served with dinner. Each bite tastes like the buttery rolls your grandma makes, but the sweet orange flavor shines through like a glorious ray of Florida sunshine. They are addictive and probably alone, worth the trip.

3. Cabins – The cabin rooms are rustic and comfortable. You’ll wish you had arrived a day early just to enjoy them. You’ll find firewood stacked neatly underneath and a balcony to relax on. Inside a comfy seating area and quilt covered beds make you feel like you could stay forever.

Morrison's Lodge Cabins

4. Gourmet Dinner – Each evening, dinner is served on a huge deck with river views. The 4-course meal left me having to take a lap around the grounds to ensure I wouldn’t sink the raft on my river trip the following day. Risotto, steak, marionberry cobbler all accompanied by a fine Oregon Pinot. Oh, and did I mention the orange rolls…

Enjoying Dinner on the Morrison's Lodge Deck

5. Country Breakfast – The huge country breakfast served in the dining room will fill you up before heading out on your river trip. Big fluffy omelets or their famous Oregon Griddle Cakes will most certainly sustain you for the myriad activities available.

6. Big Groups – Groups that charter a Rogue River trip should consider booking a couple nights before or after at Morrison’s Lodge to extend their trip. The restful atmosphere will ease you back into civilization or gear you up for the peace and quiet you’ll find out on your river trip. The multiple activities and tranquil river make it the perfect location to entertain those who crave action and those in need of a respite.

7. Horseback Riding – Morrison’s has partnered with Sourdough Camp Trail Rides to offer 1-2 hour excursions in Taylor Creek Canyon. Taylor Creek feeds into the Rogue close to the Lodge and its stunning canyon is great for trail riding. Small group sizes (5 max.) sans dusty trails make these forested rides tranquil and terrific.

8. Friendly Staff – Lesley and Lowell manage the Lodge and both are friendly and knowledgeable. Lowell happily gave me a lift down the road to meet my rafting party at the Galice Resort. The dining staff were all pleasant and courteous with small-town appeal that left me questioning my city-dweller status.

The Friendly Staff at Morrison's

9. Activities – There’s a pool and games. You can grab a book from the main lodge room and relax forever in an adirondack next to the river. You can fish for the famous Steelhead, mountain bike some gorgeous trails or watch for wildlife. My favorite activity…..spend some time star gazing on the giant lawn as you listen to the flow of the Rogue River.

10. Seriously, the orange rolls are really good!

Learn more about Morrison’s Lodge >>

Posted in Rogue River Rafting

ECHO Trip Named National Geographic Tour of a Lifetime

by ECHO Staff on April 20th, 2011

ECHO’s trip to Siberia’s Kaa-Khem River has just been named one of the 50 Tours of a Lifetime, 2011 by National Geographic Traveler! We welcome the recognition of this amazing trip that will be lead by ECHO guide, Vlad Garilov this July.

We are so honored that National Geographic continues to highlight our small business alongside many of the big names in adventure travel. What began as a past-time for Joe Daly and Dick Linford has grown into a successful travel company that strives to provide our guests with top service in the world’s top destinations.

About ECHO

River trips are our passion, because we believe in the transformative process that takes place when one spends time in the wilderness. Our trips are designed to facilitate this process with some of the top guides in the industry handling all the details while they attend to our guests’ safety and comfort. We invite you to join us on the Rogue or Middle Fork of the Salmon Rivers, or journey with us abroad to Siberia, Bhutan, Nepal, Turkey or Chile.

Although we appreciate the recognitions from renowned publications, our true reward comes when our guests proclaim their adventure as “the trip of a lifetime”.

“ECHO is a once-in-a-lifetime experience which I’ll never forget… Thanks ECHO!”
- Gabriella Conn, Middle Fork guest

“The absolute trip of a lifetime! Great fun, great guides, great guests!”
- Susan Harris, Middle Fork guest

“Our family has been on over 10 commercially guided trips, including safaris, birding, biking and other rafting trips both in the US and abroad. This trip run by ECHO was fantastic from start to finish. The Echo guides were some of the best we have ever had.”
- Cynthia Faubion, Middle Fork guest

“We planned our Rogue trip because we wanted to experience the Rogue river scenery and white water but we left with much more; the feeling that we had exprienced a very special place. The scenery was amazing! The rafting was a blast! And the staff were great!”
- Monet Monaghan, Rogue River guest

Posted in General News

Rogue River Writing Workshop

by ECHO Staff on April 18th, 2011

Join us for a four-day, three-night rafting trip/writing workshop on Oregon’s beautiful Rogue River. The workshop will be led by Ellen Waterston, an award-winning writer, poet, and speaker whose books include Where the Crooked River Rises, a collection of essays about central Oregon; Then There Was No Mountain, a memoir; and Between Desert Seasons and I am Madagascar, collections of poetry.

She is also the founder and director of The Nature of Words and the Writing Ranch, institutions dedicated to the teaching of writing. She has the special gift of being able to listen closely, and to deliver both constructive criticism and inspiration to writers of all levels.

Ellen Waterston

“Writing with Ellen is an illuminating experience. She’s a perceptive workshop leader; her suggestions are insightful, and the benefit of her instruction last long after the workshop has ended.”

- Michel DeSilva, winner of the Nature of Words Rising Star Award in 2007 and 2009

“When Ellen commented on what I had written she made me feel that I might have some talent, yet at the same time showed me how I could be better. That’s an amazing skill.”

- Dick Linford, workshop participant

Ellen will begin each day with a “writing prompt”, or a topic that we can focus on as we float the river and explore side canyons. At lunch and in camp before dinner we will have an opportunity to put our thoughts and ideas on paper. After dinner we can present our material to the group.

Camping at Doe on the Rogue River

The Rogue River winds though the coastal mountains of southern Oregon and offers much in the way of inspiration for our workshop. Its exciting rapids, warm weather and water, scenic beauty and abundant wildlife combine to make it one of the finest rafting rivers in America. Bald eagles, osprey, Great Blue herons, snowy egrets and deer are common, and it is not unusual to see back bears (too timid to be a threat) and river otters. There are beavers living across from one camp, although they are very shy.

This is camping at its most comfortable. ECHO supplies tents, sleeping bags and air mattresses. The guides do all the cooking and cleaning up, and you will be amazed at the quality of the meals. ECHO furnishes beer and wine to complement the appetizers and meals.

Egret Flying Above the Rogue River

This workshop is for writers of all levels, and is based on the premise that we all have interesting things to say.

Posted in Rogue River Rafting, Special Trips

Sometimes the Key Ingredient isn’t Actually in the Food

by ECHO Staff on April 5th, 2011

Here at ECHO, we redefine gourmet. As a company that specializes in family friendly trips, we have customers of all shapes, sizes and tastebuds and oftentimes the smaller the tastebud, the harder to please. Because of this, ECHO gourmet means using flavor filled ingredients to create amazing meals with a pinch of fun!

Pancakes on the Middle Fork

It’s the combination of awesome flavors and a fun setting that make cooking on the river the perfect environment to introduce kids to meals they may not try at home. Simple salmon steamed over open coals and finished with a squeeze of lemon may typically elicit a response sounding similar to ‘ew,’ but on the river, be prepared for a shocking inclination for your child to try new things. Evidently the same sense of adventure that has them laughing and screaming through a wild rapid transfers readily to the dinner table.

That’s why our menu focuses on flexibility. Kids and adults alike can easily modify each meal we make. Crispy, crunchy taco salad filled with fresh avocado, ripe mango and drizzled with a mix of beans, corn and fresh spices can become a bowl of tortilla chips and a side of salsa. Although it’s rarely turned down, fresh fruit dipped with smooth, creamy chocolate fondue can easily turn into chocolate-covered marshmallows. And of course, there are always more creative substitutes such as a morning pancake turned smiley face with the introduction of fresh blueberries for eyes and a dollop of whipped cream for the nose.

As adults, we often lose ourselves in the idea that good food needs to be fancy. Gourmet easily translates to complicated, intricate and exotic. We at ECHO formally invite you to experience the kid gourmet, where trying something new is all it takes and having fun in the process is the most important part. Try your new philosophy on the following recipes, or better yet, join us on the water, where fun is emphasized even beyond the kitchen.

Chocolate Fondue

For a group of 5 people:
2 bags of chocolate chips (the better the chocolate the better the fondue)
1 can of evaporated milk
Fresh strawberries, cherries, pears or bananas. Common favorites also include shortbread cookies (or better yet homemade shortbread), marshmallows or fingers (after the chocolate has cooled)

Heat chocolate chips and evaporated milk over a double boiler, constantly stirring and being careful not to burn. When completely melted and homogenous, dip away to your hearts content.

Chocolate Fondue on the Middle Fork

Posted in Recipes

Combine Your Rogue River Trip with One of Oregon’s Famous Lodges

by Janda on March 29th, 2011

Oregon is home to many natural wonders which are within driving distance to the Rogue River. By combining your river trip with a stay at one of these amazing lodges, you’ll experience camping along one of the West’s most beautiful rivers and spending the rest of your vacation at a historic lodge complete with rustic charm and modern conveniences.

Crater Lake Lodge | Opened in 1915

Visit this natural wonder located in central Oregon 3 hours from Galice before or after your Rogue River trip. Not many lodges boast their location on the edge of a caldera, but when the caldera is filled with stunning blue water plunging almost 2,000 feet deep, Crater Lake Lodge maintains bragging rights for views. It began almost 7,000 years ago when Mount Mazama erupted in an explosion 42 times as powerful as Mt. St. Helens leaving a hollow shell that eventually collapsed inward. The caldera filled with rainwater over the years, and because the water didn’t arrive via streams, the intense blue lake provides record visibility to 120 feet.

Crater Lake Lodge

The original lodge opened with a tar-paper covered exterior that nonetheless had visitors flocking up the mountain to see this natural wonder. Extensive reconstruction in the 1990s now offers an atmosphere that pays homage to the original 1920s charm, but is much grander. A huge deck offers a place to relax with a glass of Northwestern Pinot Noir as you watch for “the Old Man” a 30 foot log that has bobbed vertically in the lake since 1896. The massive stone fireplace in the Great Hall welcomes you to relax in the evenings.

Tu Tu’ Tun Lodge | Opened in 1970

Have your car shuttled to the take-out location and then make the short 1-hour drive to the Tu Tu’ Tun Lodge after your Rogue River trip. This more modern lodge is named for the Tu Tu’ Tunne “Rogue” Native Americans. The river was named for these stubborn and fierce tribes that waged battles along the river in the hope of preserving their way of life as settlers moved in to farm the Rogue’s rich valleys.

Tu Tu' Tun Lodge

The lodge is a short distance to Gold Beach, OR where you can see the Rogue River empty into the Pacific. You can hike through the coastal forest to tide pools and panoramic views before indulging yourself with spa services and a feast of local Northwestern cuisine. Tu Tu’ Tun Lodge was just listed as one of the top adventure lodges in Outside Magazine!

Oregon Caves Chateau | Opened in 1934

This 6-story chateau is located at the Oregon Caves National Monument just 2 hours south of Galice. The huge double-fireplace made of marble greets you in the lobby and the rustic staircase of oak, madrone and pine will lead you up to your guest-room or down to the Chateau’s dining room and original 1930s Caves Coffee Shop featuring old-fashioned style malts.

This amazing feat of construction spans a small gorge created by a creek that flows from the caves and is channeled through the dining room of the Chateau. The building is chock-full of original arts-and-crafts style furniture with each guest room offering its own unique charm. The Chateau is only steps away from the entrance to the “Marble Halls of Oregon”, which is one of the few marble caves in the world. You can also hike through old growth Port Orford Cedars and see one of the largest Douglas-firs in Oregon!

Posted in Rogue River Rafting

A Yoga River Rafting Trip is the Perfect Vacation

by ECHO Staff on March 24th, 2011

Last year’s passengers on the yoga rafting trips called it their “Best Vacation!” Picture this: An incredible canyon, lots of yoga (all levels welcome) and exercise, delicious healthy food, fun and interesting people, adventure, music around the campfire, hiking, wildlife, and more stars at night than you can imagine. Bring the whole family – the yoga is optional.

Yoga Class on the Rogue River

Yoga stretching is offered in the morning while the guides cook breakfast and we do a full yoga practice in the afternoon, along the river at camp after a day of boating. There’s something pretty special about coming into Triangle Pose and looking up to see a bald eagle soaring overhead or doing Tree Pose when you’re surrounded by trees. And after a day of paddling in a raft or an inflatable kayak, the yoga is a perfect way to stretch out all the muscles. I offer many options to accommodate both beginners and advanced yogis. For more photos of our yoga trips or more information about me, go to my website: www.SusanFoxLifeCoach.com.

Posted in Rogue River Rafting, Special Trips

Recent Accolades

National Geographic Traveler listed our expedition to the Kaa-Khem in Siberia as the Tour of a Lifetime.

Our expedition to Siberia was also selected as one of Outside Magazine's 2011 Trips of the Year.

ECHO was Selected by National Geographic Adventure Magazine as as one of the Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth.

We are a member of Adventure Gateway, an organization representing America's top river outfitters.