The Ancient History of Barker-Ewing

Barker-Ewing’s official origin story begins in 1963, but Dick Barker’s love of the Snake River and his involvement as a guide and float operator actually started much earlier. Dick was born in 1936 and spent his summers at his family’s summer home in Moose, Wyoming. In the mid 40’s Dick’s mom, Jane, moved out to…

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Discoveries in Your Own Home

Old map of Wyoming Idaho border

Sometimes you make discoveries in your own home. In my case, the discovery was in Gray’s antique map of the Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho territories from 1875, just after the Hayden Survey and the exploration and formation of Yellowstone National Park. The other day, I was gazing at the map in a semi-distracted state when…

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The Name in the Hyphen

Verne Huser, the first Barker-Ewing river guide

Barker-Ewing has been around since 1967 and has a name in the hyphen. Our first hired guide was Verne Huser, who liked to say that he was the “hyphen” in the name. He and his family worked with us for a few years and then he moved on to year-round” jobs before returning for a…

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Olympic Fever

Winter Olympics - Grand Teton tours

I’ve got Olympic Fever! Up here in Jackson Hole, as the old joke goes, we have two seasons: Winter, and the Fourth of July. The warming climate has subtly altered this once-accurate description. We still enjoy just two seasons, but while Winter has become noticeably shorter, the Fourth of July has extended on both sides…

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The Same River Twice

SnakeRiver Overlook - Grand Teton float trips

“Don’t you get tired of doing the same thing over and over all summer?” I get this question at least once a week between May and September. And my answer is always the same. “No way!” Many of our Barker-Ewing scenic guides have spent multiple seasons floating the Snake River through Grand Teton National Park.…

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Where Are the Bodies?

Deadman's Bar Boat Launch - Barker Ewing Float Trips

In 1887, Wyoming Territory held its first murder trial on the heels of a triple homicide. The story of these gruesome murders and the subsequent trial are well known to Snake River boatmen. It’s how Deadman’s Bar – the spot where we launch our Barker-Ewing Scenic Float Trips – got its name. All you have…

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