5 Great Reasons Why You Should Get Outside

1. Vitamin D “ The Sunshine Vitamin ”

Unlike most vitamins that can easily be found in food, Vitamin D is best found outdoors. Vitamin D is made when bare skin is exposed to sunlight. The sun’s ultraviolet rays convert cholesterol in your skin into Vitamin D. Studies suggest that the average person needs between 15 and 20 minutes depending on skin tone of direct sun expose to produce the recommended amount of Vitamin D.

So why is this vitamin so important? Well, Vitamin D helps develop strong bones and teeth in kids and helps prevent osteoporosis in adults and the elderly. Vitamin D also helps regulate cell function which protects against several types of cancer. Studies also suggests Vitamin D may play a role in the prevention of diabetes. With this kind of stats it is easy to see why Vitamin D tops our list for great reason to be outdoors.

2. Dirt !

Now many of us have heard the old saying “ Just rub a little dirt on it”. Well as it turns out, dirt really can be good for you. New research on soil suggests that exposure to the bacteria and microbes in dirt can help boost our immune systems. Exposing ourselves to small amounts of bacteria and microbes found in soil triggers a positive immune response and helps protect us against more dangerous bacteria in the future.

Adults and children who regularly come into contact with dirt, pollen and animals are healthier overall and have less allergies. So the next time you think about getting your hands dirty, just know it’s a good thing!

3. Stress Relief – Something We all Need

Studies show that people who take a 20 minute walk in the woods or on a garden path feel more relaxed than those who take the same stroll on a city street. Even more interesting is the fact that people who simply live in natural areas and spend time outdoors have lower levels of the hormone cortisol. Cortisol is also known as the stress hormone.

Spending time outdoors can also help improve concentration and reduce anxiety and is being used more and more as a natural option to treat ADHD in kids. Psychologist sometimes incorporate nature walks as part of a treatment regimen for people suffering from depression.  Exactly why it helps is unclear. However researchers think that it allows the mind to refocus on things like the sound of water and the wind blowing in the trees. In essence it feels all of our six senses with nature and allows the person to relax and reset. How awesome is that!

4. Exercise

Mother nature is the perfect companion for getting your sweat on. Hiking, biking and swimming are just a few ways that being outdoors can help us stay in shape. When we exercise, our bodies release endorphins. These endorphins trigger positive feelings and interact with our brain receptors to reduce the feeling of pain.

Getting regular exercise can help prevent many chronic illnesses like heart disease and high blood pressure. Just 30 minutes of exercise a day elevates energy levels and improves sleep quality. Add that to the fact that outdoor exercise is cheap when compared to a gym membership and I’d say you have a perfect match.

5. Creativity

The great outdoors is second to none in beauty, so it’s no surprise that artists like Claude Monet and Andy Goldsworthy channel inspiration from it.

A study done by the University of Utah found that people scored 50% higher on creativity tests after spending time in nature. In fact creatively, focus, productivity and energy all get a boost from being in nature. There is a measurable ability of the natural world to filter into and inspire our lives. So, the next time you feel a little overwhelmed before you reach for that energy drink try a quick walk in the great outdoors instead.

Thank You Everyone For A Great 2018 Season!

We would like to thank everyone who had a part in making the 2018 Ocoee River rafting season so great. Please enjoy some of our favorite picture of this last season.

Carolina Ocoee’s Favorite Trail Mixes

Trail Mix is one of those rare foods that literally has something for everyone. Weather you have picky kids or just need that extra boost of energy, here are some of our favorites.

The Go Go Go Mix

This mix is packed with fruit that is an excellent source of vitamin B6, Carbs and Potassium that helps boost your energy.  The seeds are a great source of Omega 3 fatty acids and combat fatigue and inflammation. This mix is a great way to stay energized for a full day on the Ocoee River.

The Little Adventurer

This mix is a crowd pleaser and when you are on a big adventure (a road trip) with the whole family this will snack will keep them happy!

The Sweet Tooth

The Mix is just because you can! If you have given it your all, sometimes you just want a reward. This sweet reward has feel good dark chocolate for a day well spent.

Let us know what you think and if you have  a good trail mix recipe share it.

See you out there!

This July 4th All Military Raft For Free On The Ocoee River

You heard that right this July 4th all active and retired military get to raft for free on the middle Ocoee river. We could think of no better way to honor the great individuals that have chosen to serve our country. So get out your bathing suit and get ready to crash through the waves of the middle Ocoee river on us. We would love to see all branches of the military represented so please share this post with others. This trip is likely to book up fast so please call and make your reservation today.

On the Ocoee River there are many options a guest has in choosing a white water adventure company, 23 outfitters to be exact. Out of all these companies everyone of them has an outpost, boats, paddles, life jackets, and buses. We all raft down the same river and go through all the same rapids. So what would make anyone of the Ocoee River outfitters different than the others?

There is a lot of smoke and mirrors when it come to how a white water outfitter markets themselves. Some will boast about there outpost, gear, store or even a cheap price. Don’t be fooled into thinking that these things correlate into a quality white water adventure. You must look at our industry as you would a museum or a hospital. All hospitals are the same for the most part, the difference between them is the staff and doctors. A museum’s value is in the art, not the check in desk.

So when we are asked what makes us better than the other companies down the road the answer is always a definitive “OUR GUIDES.”

Now this is a bold statement I know, but it is totally true and this is why we feel so confident in making this remark.

1. At Carolina Ocoee we do not hire first year guides. No guide is going to cut their teeth trying to learning how to guide while you are in there boat. We hire seasoned and highly experienced guides only. We pride our self on being able to guarantee you a great trip.
2. Our sole focus is on providing the highest quality white water experience on the Ocoee River. Our guides have chosen guiding as a profession and they take it very seriously. To them this is not just a summer job of partying and playing on the river; this is there profession and they aim to be a pro at it. Seventy-five percent of our guest are repeat customers and we really pride ourselves off the quality of our trips. We will stop taking reservations before we put you with a guide that we don’t trust 100%.
3. We are unmatched when it comes to our level of experience. We have 9 nine guides on staff with a total of 115 years of experience.

Meet The Carolina Ocoee Guides.

This team gets it done every trip, every time. They are ready to give you the best trip possible on the Ocooe River.

Don’t forget you can request a guide!

The holiday season is upon us and most of you will be getting some well deserved time off.  It’s a season of friends and family. A time of gathering and a time of sharing. Here are a few ideas to make to most of your holiday.

5 Reasons Why You Should Try Whitewater Rafting This Spring

When most people think about whitewater rafting they think of summer. The weather is hot and the kids are out of school. As a result, the prices are high and the river is crowded.

Spring is the best kept secret in whitewater rafting adventures. This article highlights some of the main reasons you should consider the spring season for your next whitewater rafting adventure.

1. MORE TIME ON THE RIVER

In the spring we typically run only one or two trips a day, which means lots of time to play on the river. This extra time makes for a more personal trip where you see and experience more. There is no rush so we take our time and make sure your whitewater adventure is more than you expected.

2. THE RIVER IS LESS CROWDED

The spring months see only about 10% of the whole season’s traffic. This means that you get the feeling that you have the river to yourself.

A lot of why the river is less crowded is because families are waiting for school to end. So for couples and friends not burdened by a school schedule, whitewater rafting in the spring is a excellent choice.

Both the Ocoee River and the Nantahala River are just a few hours from numerous major cities: Chattanooga, Knoxville, Asheville, Charlotte, and Atlanta. Because of our locations a whitewater rafting weekend is accessible to everyone in these cities making a awesome weekend adventure.

3. THE DAYS ARE WARMING UP

Spring weather means cool nights and warm days. So by planning your trip in the middle of the day you can raft in the spring and enjoy the river while keeping warm.

For those concerned about being too cool we provide splash jackets to help keep the water out and the body heat in.

Here is a great resource for dressing right for your trip: What To Wear.

4. YOUR RAFTING TRIP WILL COST YOU LESS

Whitewater rafting prices can vary a lot depending on when you want to go. By rafting in the spring you can save as much as 25% off your trip as compared with summer prices.

Because our areas are so seasonally focused you will most likely see considerable savings by rafting in the spring.

5. OUR RIVER GUIDES ARE SO HAPPY TO BE BACK ON THE RIVER

Most river guides either head to the ski resorts or find odd jobs to get them through the winter to the next season. Whichever they do, by the time the river season starts back they are excited to be back on the water. This excitement is most evident in the beginning of the season.

Take advantage of this spring and come have a whitewater rafting adventure with Carolina Ocoee.