In the heart of Central Idaho, situated on Lake Payette, you’ll find the small, picturesque town of McCall. This charming resort town is the meeting place for O.A.R.S.’ Main Salmon River trips and worth spending an extra day or two if you’ve got it.

Finally, vacation begins: From Boise, rent a car and drive two hours to McCall, ID. Settle into lakeside accommodations at The Shore Lodge on Lake Payette. As you enjoy your first evening of vacation, treat yourself to a spa session in The Cove, grab a table at The Narrows for some local cuisine, or rent a kayak for a serene evening paddle—all without leaving the lodge.

McCall exploring: Start the next morning off with a hike in Ponderosa State Park, just outside of town. After working up an appetite, get your caffeine fix and satisfy your belly at Foglifter Café. Afterward, cross the street for a visit to Home Town Sports. Rent a Paddleboard for some afternoon water fun (you can practically see the beach from their shop). For dinner, make a burger and shake stop at My Father’s Place, a locals’ favorite. And since no trip to Idaho is complete without a dip in a hot spring, spend your evening unwinding at Burgdorf Hot Springs and ghost town, a short drive from McCall. By the end of the day, you’ll be in full vacation mode and ready to hit the river.

Whitewater action: The following day, take a scenic flight to Salmon, ID where your Main Salmon River rafting trip begins.  Don’t worry if you didn’t get your fill of McCall as you’ll return there after your 6 day river trip for as much fun and exploring as you have time for.

Want more information?  Visit the Discover McCall Website:  http://www.discovermccall.com/

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The nine scattered cabins that make up Jim Moore’s Camp among knee high grasses were all hand-hewn. I see the ax marks and wonder at Moore taking 15 years to make all the massive beams by hand. Most of the cabins still stand, with a little help from volunteers from the United States Forest Service and a designation in the National Register of Historic Places (#78001063, respectfully).

Flocks of people came through making the property’s extensive development worth the effort. Jim Moore said himself that between the years 1900 and 1902, 1,800 men came through his property as they headed upstream to Campbell’s Ferry, crossing the Salmon, and heading for the purported gold on Thunder Mountain. He said they came year-round, with backpacks and mules in the summer and snowshoes and skis in the winter.

Whether stopping for lunch or camp along the Main Salmon River, we guides oftentimes make the couple hundred-or-so-yard walk up to the terrace and take a look around Jim Moore’s Place. We tell the guests a short history of Jim and his homestead. He was born in Kentucky around 1868 and died April 25th, 1942.

As the guests are milling about and looking in cabin windows at old shoes and rusted pots, I walk towards the scree slope. I give Jim’s grave a little nod as I walk by it, acknowledging him and his long-gone, historic and generous homestead on the Salmon’s shore. As I get near the hill’s base, I take a look around, trying to remember where I left off last time. I start lifting up rocks, hoping that maybe I’ll pick the right one and find a mason jar filled with gold nuggets.

Jim started placer mining in the late 1890’s and didn’t find much. As word spread that gold was found on Thunder Mountain, Jim recognized opportunity. He raised chickens and sold eggs. He was known to make good money selling his homemade moonshine, whiskey, and peach brandy. He grew veggies and planted an orchard that still produces deliciously crisp and sweet apples for rafters and bears passing by in mid-to late summer.

I search a few more minutes. Sometimes a guest will saunter up and ask what I’m doing. I always tell them I’m hunting for Jim Moore’s lost treasure. Sometimes they help. They always laugh. I haven’t found it yet.

I allow the tiny irrational part of me to think this day might be the time I strike gold. The appeal? Fame and fortune? More, I imagine it would be remarkable handling a dusty treasure not seen since Jim’s death in 1942. Oh, and it’s full of gold, and I need a new truck.

I’d love to find the hidden treasure someday, even if that means facing Jim Moore’s ghost.

Much of Moore’s history was gleaned from Carrey and Conley’s River of No Return.

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So, maybe an all-inclusive family vacation is the way to go? No, not like one of those beachside resorts where the kids get bored after day two. How about a week-long Cataract Canyon rafting trip on the Colorado River through Canyonlands National Park? Or, an exhilarating multi-day paddle down the Main Salmon River, deep in the Idaho wilderness?

Bet you never thought of a rafting trip as an all-inclusive vacation. But think about it. When you travel with an adventure company, they bring all the gear (so no fights packing up the car), every room (ok, tent) has a waterfront view, the guides shop and cook for you (we’re not talking about hot dogs and cheesy fries here), and all of the thrills and activities are included. And guess what? You don’t need your wallet on the river. Now doesn’t that sound like the perfect all-inclusive vacation?

Rafting vs. Theme Park Vacation: You Choose

Just you, your family and an intimate group of fellow adventurers.

OR… Mobs of the most annoying people you’ve ever come across.

Putting your lives in the hands of expert river guides.

OR… Putting your lives in the hands of freaky carny guys.

Hiking to an amazing waterfall.

OR… Hiking to the front of the line.

Riding the rapids.

OR… Riding the puke-inducer.

Steak, mashed potatoes and a green salad with a glass of wine riverside.

OR… Corn dogs and Budweiser at a sticky picnic table.

Glow bocce on the beach for fun.

OR… Throwing darts at balloons for junky prizes.

Staring at stars at the end of the night.

OR… Staring at brake lights at the end of the night.

Have you made up your mind yet?

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We get it. Not everyone loves sleeping under the stars, on a hard ground, in a tent. And that’s fine, because not every great adventure involves sleeping outside. If you’re not big on camping, but love being outside, here are six amazing lodge-based trips worth checking out:

Costa Rica: Pura Vida

Raft the world-class Pacuare River, see incredible wildlife while exploring the rainforest canopy, swim at the base of a waterfall and experience the annual turtle nesting at Tortuguero National Park. And at the end of each day of adventure, retire to luxury. The Rainforest Eco-Lodge and Tortuga Lodge and Gardens (pictured above), two of Central America’s most legendary eco-lodges, become your home base on this week-long Costa Rican adventure.

Rogue River Rafting Lodge Trip

Have the Wild and Scenic Rogue River in Oregon all to yourself when you take on its exhilarating whitewater early season.  Enjoy everything Oregon’s beautiful pine forests have to offer as you explore 40 miles of river (that means tons of wildlife).  And don’t worry about the possible late spring elements, because cozy accommodations and hot showers at the Black Bar Lodge and Paradise Lodge will be waiting for you at the end of each day on this 2-night/3-day lodge-to-lodge trip (dates available in May only).

Mystical Peru Lodge Trek

Leave those grueling days of backpacking behind. Experience Peru’s real outdoors on a challenging but comfortable trek along the “Salkantay Inca Trail,” the road less traveled to Machu Picchu. Each day’s hike ends in a beautiful lodge, like the Colpa Lodge pictured above, with hot showers, gourmet food, and even outdoor Jacuzzis to soothe those feet.

Crete Inn-to-Inn Kayaking

Travel to the unspoiled coast of Southern Crete to kayak the crystal blue waters of the Libyan Sea. By day, visit secluded beaches, hike into gorges and explore the ruins of Venetian Castles and Minoan palaces. At night, dine on regional cuisine at seaside tavernas, chat with the locals and stay in intimate family-owned inns.

Main Salmon River Rafting Lodge Trip

Those wanting a multi-day whitewater rafting experience, minus the nightly riverside camping, can organize a lodge-to-lodge trip on Idaho’s Main Salmon River (by group request only). Each day find yourself deeper and deeper into Idaho’s wilderness as you raft nearly 100 miles of fun Class III whitewater, see wildlife galore and maybe even sneak a dip in a hot spring or two. Enjoy the solitude of the evenings from the comfort of a variety of rustic lodges that can only be reached by the river.

Ranch & Raft on the Colorado

While not technically a lodge-to-lodge adventure, this one’s worth mentioning. On this adventure you might have to sleep in a tent for a few nights (on huge sandy beaches), but the sacrifice is so worth it when afterward you’re rewarded with a stay at one of the West’s best and luxurious guest ranches, Red Cliffs Lodge in Moab, UT. Spend the first half of the week rafting the Colorado River’s legendary Cataract Canyon, through the heart of Canyonlands National Park. Then, from the comforts of the lodge, explore beautiful red rock country and Arches National Park or simply kick back and relax.

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