By Nancy Reid & co-authored by Sofia Jaramillo, Written from Nancy’s perspective.
Once an avid river person, I haven’t floated the Middle Fork of the Salmon for more than three decades. In the interim, life happened. Babies, marriages, career successes, and personal losses. But, I consider myself fortunate. Running through this long life is a river of family and love of the outdoors. So when my daughter, Sofia Jaramillo, a National Geographic photographer, invited me to return to the river with Far and Away Adventures, I was delighted but, honestly, also a bit anxious. In my youth, I spent summers rafting and kayaking the Middle Fork and many other Idaho rivers. Back then, I was up to the physical rigors of a “dirtbag” trip with friends. Now in my 70s, and perhaps wiser, I wasn’t sure I could manage.
On the spectacular flight to the backcountry airstrip and put-in site, the 18 guests were all smiles and wonder. In addition to Sofia and me, our group included a family of four bright young adults and their parents from Minneapolis, a sweet Louisiana couple with two shy and bookish teens, an Idaho contractor and his smart and sassy wife, and a Hollywood screenwriter and her adoring fellow. In most gatherings of strangers, there is usually one or two you would rather swap out. But not in this case. Our disparate group became a tight river clan. I think the Middle Fork does that for people. The pure joy of this remote place with its pristine water, mile after mile of ever-changing beauty, somehow diffuses differences.
My prior anxiety about the physical challenges lessened when we pulled up to our first campsite after an easy day on the river. The guides arrived earlier to set up beverages and appetizers, the camp kitchen, and the rest. I was wowed by my walk-in tent with cots, carpet, reading table and light, and my belongings waiting for me. Whew. No crawling on my hands and knees out of my tent in the middle of the night. But just how luxurious the trip would be hit me that evening with wild-caught, campfire-roasted silky salmon, along with several other delicious courses for dinner.
Each day brought new adventure and more spoiling. You can let a guide oar your raft through the rapids (level 5 splash), join a team of five on a paddle raft (level 7 splash), or choose a large sweep boat with swivel chairs for minimal exertion and zero splashes. By the third day, I decided I needed to uphold my OG river rat reputation by paddling an inflatable kayak (level 9 splash) through a class IV rapid, Tappan Falls. Oops! Tossed by a side wave, I performed an accidental triple axel and reportedly provided much comic relief.
The next day, determined to regain some credibility, I decided to jump off a cliff. Remember when I mentioned above that age had made me wiser? Apparently not. Thankfully, I executed the 25-foot jump in fairly good form and swam ashore feeling very alive.
It’s difficult to find a favorite thing about this trip, but here are a few that top my list:
– The guides. Each one exceeded a high bar with their cheerfulness, whitewater expertise, and a deep knowledge of the history and ecology of the river. They planned a new adventure each day: hiking to centuries-old Native American pictographs, steering to the best hole for a rising cutthroat trout, leading morning yoga sessions, providing costumes for our Middle Fork Top Model catwalk. But best of all, they shared their musical talents with nightly jam sessions and outstanding vocals, guitar accompaniment and, to everyone’s surprise, a six-foot tall upright bass.
– The other guests. I didn’t expect this but I truly enjoyed fun times with them. I had some very interesting conversations with the adults, and the kids’ energy and enjoyment was infectious. Plus, being around loving families is just the best face of humanity.
– The wilderness experience. The great thing about a river trip is that you get to sit in a raft and watch the scenery go by like a real-life nature documentary. The Middle Fork is known for its dramatic cliffs and narrow canyons. We also had many wildlife encounters: herds of rocky mountain sheep so close that you could see they were just as curious about us as we were about them and their “aw, too cute” kids, exuberantly bouncing around their parents; a Golden Eagle regally perched on an ancient snag like a river centurion; and sleek otters slipping into the river like graceful ninjas.
As I list the top hits, I realize the best part was enjoying all of the above with my daughter. I saw a part of her I had not experienced: her dedication to her work, waking up in the middle of the night to catch the dark-sky stars in the canyon, and cajoling the best shots from the guests. Always seeking the best angle and light. Seeing the river as art.
If you get the chance to go on a river trip with your kid, your family, or other loved ones, do it! It is a unique opportunity to experience a world far and away from the daily noise. The wilderness is life-affirming, a place without roads or cell service, crystal-clear water, and only an occasional plane to remind you of civilization. Being on this beloved river with my daughter was truly a trip of a lifetime.
Feature image credit to Sofia Jaramillo.
Sofia Jaramillo is an outdoor adventure and documentary photographer based in Victor, Idaho. A few of her clients include National Geographic, The North Face, and Outside Magazine. To see more of her work go to www.sofiajaramillophoto.com or follow her on Instagram.
Published on May 5, 2026