This week, The Wine Country Adventurer takes you to one of the most beautiful but least known natural gems of Mendocino and Lake County: The Eel River.  With its source high in the snow fields around Hull Mountain, the Eel River provides a diverse set of recreational opportunities.  It also remains little known, even in Wine Country, as a result of two factors:

Access: there are very few approaches to the river that do not involve bushwhacking.
Safety: While some portions of the river provide pristine swimming holes and great inner tubing, other portions involve serious whitewater suitable only for kayaking or rafting.

One way to overcome these challenges is to join The Wine Country Adventurer on a special guided tour and river celebration on July 18-19 (Friday-Saturday).  Visitors will be taken to one of the loveliest stretches of the Eel, where they will be able to spend the day exploring the river, swimming and floating, escaping the heat of Wine Country, and participating in a variety of other activities.  Food, beverages, and a festive environment will all be provided.  To learn more about this special tour, visit www.wine-country-adventures.com and click on the [Grand Opening] icon in the upper right.

The Wine Country Adventurer’s goal is to introduce you to these hidden and undiscovered parts of Wine Country. In addition to giving you an inside look at little-known but exceptional wine and food makers, we will also take you on journeys to the largely unexplored outdoor recreational opportunities available in Wine Country’s wilderness areas. You will find photos and information about the many adventures that are possible in the region and our weekly travel blog and calendar, which give you up-to-the-date information on what’s happening and our recommendations for what to do each week.

Did you know that Wine Country's highest mountains are in a designated biodiversity "hot spot" of global significance?

Did you know that the first vineyard in the world to produce certified organic wines is located in Mendocino?

Did you know that there is great backcountry skiing in Wine Country?

Did you know that there is world-class whitewater in Wine Country?

For those who would like to be guided by an experienced team in their journeys, Wine Country Adventures announces its Grand Opening, July 18-20, 2008.  We will be running a series of specially priced daytime and overnight programs with savings of up to 50%. These one-of-a-kind packages allow you to explore the Wine Country in all of its glorious diversity. All packages are comprehensive and include biodiesel transportation services and “green epicure” food and beverages (local, sustainable, and delicious). To learn more about our Grand Opening, as well as our various packages and programs, please visit our web site.