Anew Outdoors, Washington

I am a true urbanite who never quite understood the allure of the great outdoors. I prefer heels to hiking boots, hustle and bustle to backcountry serenity. I take comfort in fine dining, in foreign films, in sipping martinis during the cocktail hour. And to tell you the truth, the thought of sleeping under the stars kind of freaks me out. With this is mind, it is a bit of a mystery as to why I decided to sign up for a three-day kayak trip with Anew Outdoors. Perhaps it was a subconscious, primal longing to reconnect with nature, or maybe I just needed a change of scenery. I suppose my reason for venturing into the wilderness isn't what matters. What matters is that every trip I have taken with Anew has been a blast.

Anew's president John Shaefer and his team of dedicated guides offer a wide variety of outdoor recreation trips throughout Washington. With Anew you can paddle a sea kayak, learn to cast a fly fishing rod, climb a rock face, backpack in the Olympics, or take a ski tour through the Cascades. The number of participants on each trip is kept small, which allows you many opportunities to interact with and learn from your guides. The folks at Anew provide all the activity-specific equipment and take care of technical details so you never have to worry about hauling a boat from the water or setting up a tent. Instead you get to focus on the reason you went on the trip in the first place: to have fun outside. On trips with Anew I have spent hours running the loop trail around Ross Lake, paddling under the full moon near Deception Pass, and napping in the brightly colored hammock that John hung between two trees on a backpacking trip.

While these elements certainly make Anew a standout, what cinches the deal for me are the delicious dinners that John and his guides cook at the end of the day. With cheesy pasta dishes, fresh salads, and rich desserts, I am able to imagine that I am dining at my favorite neighborhood bistro. While venturing deep into the forest is a fabulous way to unwind and reconnect to the soul, for this urban girl, it is dreaming of the city that brings ultimate joy.

Washington Outdoor Guides - Anew Outdoors
1-800-852-5161