History
Soft Gold on the Snake
Jackson Hole was the center of the Fur Trade for a short period in the 1820s and 1830s due to the abundance of beaver. This squat brown mammal (once decreed a fish by the Bishop of Quebec, to fit dietary law) was once abundant throughout North America. Fur trappers venturing west to collect beaver pelts…
Read MoreColter’s Run and other Tall Tales
Barker-Ewing boatmen are world-class storytellers. Whether we’re driving you up to the launch site in our shiny new vans or guiding you down the Snake River right through the heart of Grand Teton National Park, we’re never at a loss for words. Geology, natural history, wildlife, western lore and regional politics – we’re experts on…
Read MoreGrand Teton National Park: The park that almost wasn’t
In addition to seeing amazing wildlife and stunning views, one of the things our guests always comment on about our scenic float trips is how much they learn from our guides about the history, geology and botany of the Park. So we thought we’d spend some time in our next few blog posts sharing a…
Read MoreWill the Circle Be Unbroken
My father, Dick Barker, died early in the morning on Monday, July 23rd. He was truly one of the “Legends of the Snake”; he was the man who pioneered the 10 mile Deadman’s Bar to Moose float trip 50 years ago. He started Barker-Ewing Float Trips with then partner Frank Ewing. Even though he had…
Read MoreKeeping Perspective – thank you, George Schaller
Everything seems so busy in July. Tourists trying to soak in all that Grand Teton National Park has to offer, whether they have 3 hours or 3 days. Road construction delays, testing everyone’s sense of patience and relaxation. The sun is intense, the weather dry, with an occasional dynamic thunderstorm for dramatic effect. And then someone like George…
Read MoreA Day of Peace on the River
The International Day of Peace is held every year on September 21st, with the purpose of providing” an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace.” As a project for her Roots & Shoots program–which engages and inspires thousands of young people from countries around the world–Dr. Jane Goodall, the renowned primatologist and…
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