RIVERLORE.COM

Hello to everyone. The 2008 Reverse River Run was definitely a success this year again. Scott and I had such a good time; we are already booked for next year.

As promised here is the information to allow you access to the photos I took during the weekend. This site will allow you to download the entire album or just the pictures you want. You a can also look through them as a slideshow if you prefer. Unfortunately you cannot print directly from this page. You must first download the pictures and use your computers print program. If you have any problems please contact Scott or Linda Koho via phone 928-941-6356 or via email scottkoho@netzero.com. I hope you enjoy them as much as we did.

Website is http://gallery.me.com/lindakoho#gallery

Once the gallery comes up on your computer, click on the album to bring up the pictures.

From here you can view the pictures, or download to your computer. Please give the process time as the files are large.

To download the entire album, press the “Download” at the top of the gallery page. This will create a compressed file. When the file is ready click the download button. Follow directions on your screen from here as it maybe different for each individual computer setup.

To download individual photos, click on the chosen photo in the album it will bring up the picture. At the bottom press the “Download Arrow” to download the picture. Follow directions on your screen from here as it maybe different for each individual computer setup.

We found out after sending out the letter that the Riviera has no more park models available for that weekend.  Sorry about that.

One thing we forgot to include in this years letter , if you need additional information call Lori Cook at the Yuma BLM office 928-317-3243, or the Yuma River Tours office at 928-783-4400.    Smokey & Judy

Amigos del Rios

Judy and I wanted to get this letter out early this year to remind all of you about the “20th Anniversary” Reverse River Run.  We want everyone to be as excited as we are so mark October 4th & 5th on your calendar and tell all of your friends and family also.

Wait till you see the T-shirts…..they are AWESOME!

The last we heard there were still park models available for rent that weekend.  So if you don’t want to camp, be sure to give the KOA Riviera a call at 760-922-5350.  Be sure to tell them you are with our group.

Since the price of fuel is so outrageous this is bad timing for the following information.  But, unfortunately for all of us when KOA took over they raised the price of camping.  In the past we were able to get a break from the company, but KOA’s have different rules and cannot (or will not) bend them for us.  So the camp fees need to go to $6.00 a person.  Sorry for that bad news and we hope it does not prevent anyone from attending.

The good news is, we are keeping the cost of the evening meal the same at $4.00 per person.

For those of you displaced from the Martinez Lake campground, if you are looking to purchase property Pattie Tinsley has all the updates at www.martinezlakesales.com or for Walter’s Camp properties go to www.walterscampriverproperties.com and Stella will be glad to help you.

Even with all the construction going on, be sure to go visit with Donna and her group at Martinez Lake Restaurant and Bar.  They still love to visit with their “old” customers.  And for those that have not done so, be sure to take the time to go see all the changes at Fisher’s Bar & Grill.  Charlie & Shirley Bush have done lots of upgrades to the bar and store.  And as always, both Martinez Lake store/boatshop and Fisher’s store/boatshop are here with all the supplies you forgot to bring along.

Anyone looking to upgrade their boat this summer, or are first time boat buyers, be sure to check out www.hippmarine.com first.  The Hipp family will be happy to take care of all your boating needs.

As well as fun, we always want to promote safe boating on our river.  We understand there were quite a few DUI’s over the memorial day holiday weekend.  So be sure when you are out on the river this summer to have your designated driver with you.

Have a great summer and we will see all of you at 7 a.m. October 4th.

Smokey & Judy 

Our friends Scott & Linda Koho went to the Grand Canyon last weekend.  They were kind enough to bring us back a great book named “Over the Edge: Death in the Grand Canyon”.  Authors are Michael P. Ghiglieri and Thomas M. Myers.  If you are interested in real life stories, this is a must read!  Smokey & Judy

Yesterday Judy and I found two of the baby owls and two adults in Toby’s tree.  The third baby could have been there, but they are so well hidden we did not see it.  We will try to get some pictures to add to the website today.  They are growing up fast!  Have a good day.

Smokey & Judy

Just wanted you all to know that the new law DID NOT PASS our Governors office.  But we still want you all to be safe, so use a designated boat driver when you are out on the river having fun.  Smokey & Judy 

Recently our neighbor Toby noticed some activity in his back yard.  A  Big Horned Owl had 3 babies and had made the mistake of picking a palm tree to make her nest.  She put her eggs in the “basket” of the cut frons and as the babies started to grow, they outgrew their nest  quickly. 

3 weeks ago one of the babies fell out so Toby called the Wildlife Refuge and they came and put him back in his nest.  But it was only a matter of a few days and he fell out again.  So Smokey made a nest in an emty cooker basket with a 2 X 2 for him to be able to climb up to the nest and this kept him off the ground.  He was quite happy here and soon was able to fly well enough to get to the top of Toby’s chain link fence.  Watching this little guys antics was lots of fun.

On friday April 25th we looked out and saw “our baby” sitting on the hood of our Jeep.  Poor little guy had no idea where he was or how to get out of this problem.  Smokey made a cage and he and our friend Scott carefully took him back to Toby’s house so he could be near his mom and siblings.

From our house we could see him and sometimes he would be in the cage and other times he was on the fence or the ground.  We did manage to get a couple of good pictures and will add them to this website.

 We had noticed in the past couple of days that all the babies were getting more active.  The 2 in the nest were stretching and doing lots of moving around, flapping their wings and the mom seemed to be bringing them lots more food. 

This morning we realized that just like all teenagers, they had left home.  We can only guess their mom was relieved since those 3 really kept her busy even during the day.  Judy and I on the other hand are going to miss the antics of the little one and only hope we get to see them all again some time.  They sure kept us entertained for the past 6 weeks.  

But this is springtime and we know that soon we will be seeing baby Grebes on the backs of their mom’s, maybe a baby bobcat or 2 and who knows what else!  Martinez Lake is a great place to be in the spring.   Have a great spring……Smokey & Judy

BOATERS BEWARE!!!!     In the April 22, 2008 Yuma Sun there was an article stating that the Arizona Senate has voted to impose tougher penalties against drinking and driving a boat.  This includes but is not limited to requiring FIRST TIME OFFENDERS convicted of operating a boat while intoxicated they could possibly serve 10 consectutive days in jail.      All of you boaters out there take care this summer.  Smokey & Judy

The following is the 2007 Letter to the Editor.

On October 6th, 2007 the 19th annual Reverse River Run took place.  There were 28 boats, one personal water craft for a total of 82 adults and 6 children.  Leaving Fisher’s Landing they headed up river 70 miles to Blythe, Ca in search of trash and debris.  These volunteers gladly accepted the challenge of helping keep our Colorado River clean after a summer of fun.  They obviously had a good eye for their task because at days end they had collected 3 1/2 (6 yard) dumpsters full of garbage.

After enjoying a great bar b q dinner, there was excitement throughout camp as the evening festivities began.  Ron & Julie Knowlton once again entertained everyone with their “trash awards presentations”.  As we all know just getting there is part of the challenge, so they made sure all of the boat captains received an award.  We also held a surprise 71st birthday party for Helen Spurling.  Helen has been a long time supporter of this event.

These awards presentations could not be possible without the help from many of our local business’s as well as individuals that contribute every year.  All of the volunteers want to thank the following: Martinez Lake Marina, Welding Perfection, Viejas Casino, Fisher’s Landing Boat Shop, Wild West Motorsports, Martinez Lake Cantina, Bureau of Reclamation, Yuma Marine and Supply, Desert Yacht, Foothills Ace Hardware, Bingham Carquest, Bureau of Land Management, Hipp Marine of San Diego, Yuma River Tours, Imperial National Wildlife Refuge, Fisher’s Landing Inc., Smokey & Judy Knowlton, Mel Campbell, Randy & Linda Knowlton, Tom & Lori Lusk, and the KOA Riviera in Blythe.

Getting the word out is also important.  Thanks to channel 11 and channel 13 for their announcments and two very special columns in the Yuma Sun by Darin Fenger.  This is what makes it all work!

2008 is the 20th anniversary of this important tradition.  The date is October 4th and 5th, so mark your calendars and we hope to see lots of new faces and of course we always welcome back our old friends.

Smokey & Judy Knowlton

Martinez Lake