{"id":9435,"date":"2021-06-02T12:00:59","date_gmt":"2021-06-02T19:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/?p=9435"},"modified":"2025-04-16T12:48:23","modified_gmt":"2025-04-16T19:48:23","slug":"what-california-rivers-taught-me-in-59-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/what-california-rivers-taught-me-in-59-years\/","title":{"rendered":"What California Rivers Taught Me in 59 Years \u2013 Watch &#038; Learn"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"bsf_rt_marker\"><\/div><i class=\"fa-regular fa-clock\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i> View time: 2 mins<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All-Outdoors founder George Armstrong reflects on 59 years of lessons learned from California rivers. &#8220;No matter how much you know, or think you know, there is always more to learn&#8221;. Rivers have something to say to everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"su-spacer\" style=\"height:20px\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"su-youtube su-u-responsive-media-yes\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/l1JCziMJ5qw?\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture\" title=\"\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"su-spacer\" style=\"height:40px\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div  class=\"calls-2-action-cpt\">\n    <div class=\"container-fluid\"> \n            \n                <div class=\"row\">   \n            <div class=\"col-sm-8\">\n                <h2>Raft the American River!<\/h2>\n                <p><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>This could be you!<\/strong> Paddle through fun, splashy rapids on the South Fork or take on the exciting wilderness of the Middle Fork. With options for first-timers and thrill-seekers alike, there\u2019s an American River rafting trip for everyone!<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:shortcode -->\n<div class=\"su-spacer\" style=\"height:20px\"><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:shortcode --><\/p>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"col-sm-4\"> \n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/american-river-rafting-cta-2025-1-300x200.jpg\" class=\"aligncenter img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"Raft the American River!\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/american-river-rafting-cta-2025-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/american-river-rafting-cta-2025-1.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"col-sm-12\">\n                <div class=\"text-center\">\n                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/river\/american-river-rafting.htm\" class=\"btn btn-primary\">\n                            American River Rafting                        <\/a>\n                                    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                            <\/div> \n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"su-spacer\" style=\"height:40px\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div  class=\"related-posts\">\n   \n<h3>\nKeep Reading &#8211; There Is More to Explore:\n<\/h3> \n <div class=\"container-fluid\">     \n     <div class=\"row\">  \n     \n        <div class=\"col-sm-6\">\n         \n        <div class=\"rp-wrapper\">\n                <div class=\"col-sm-5\"> <div class=\"row\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"172\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/raft-guide-training-cal-salmon-thumb-300x172.jpg\" class=\"alignleft img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/raft-guide-training-cal-salmon-thumb-300x172.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/raft-guide-training-cal-salmon-thumb-768x440.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/raft-guide-training-cal-salmon-thumb.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div><\/div>\n                <div class=\"col-sm-7\">\n                 <h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/raft-guide-training-on-the-california-salmon\/\">Raft Guide Training on the California Salmon &#8211; Always More to Learn<\/a><\/h4>\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\n         <\/div>\n        <\/div> \n       \n        <div class=\"col-sm-6\">\n         \n        <div class=\"rp-wrapper\">\n                <div class=\"col-sm-5\"> <div class=\"row\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"172\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/family-founded-feature-300x172.jpg\" class=\"alignleft img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"Family Founded, Family Operated, Family Values\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/family-founded-feature-300x172.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/family-founded-feature-768x440.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/family-founded-feature.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div><\/div>\n                <div class=\"col-sm-7\">\n                 <h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/family-founded-family-operated-family-values\/\">Watch the Story: Family Founded, Family Operated, Family Values<\/a><\/h4>\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\n         <\/div>\n        <\/div> \n       \n        <div class=\"col-sm-6\">\n         \n        <div class=\"rp-wrapper\">\n                <div class=\"col-sm-5\"> <div class=\"row\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"172\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/george-story-1-300x172.jpg\" class=\"alignleft img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"George Armstrong&#039;s Story of His First Rafting Trip in 1962\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/george-story-1-300x172.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/george-story-1-1024x587.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/george-story-1-768x440.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/george-story-1-1536x880.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/george-story-1.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div><\/div>\n                <div class=\"col-sm-7\">\n                 <h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/george-armstrongs-first-rafting-trip-1962\/\">George Armstrong\u2019s First Rafting Trip in 1962 \u2013 In His Own Words<\/a><\/h4>\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\n         <\/div>\n        <\/div> \n       \n        <div class=\"col-sm-6\">\n         \n        <div class=\"rp-wrapper\">\n                <div class=\"col-sm-5\"> <div class=\"row\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"172\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/whats-in-a-name-feature-v2-300x172.jpg\" class=\"alignleft img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"Where did the name All-Outdoors come from?\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/whats-in-a-name-feature-v2-300x172.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/whats-in-a-name-feature-v2-1024x587.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/whats-in-a-name-feature-v2-768x440.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/whats-in-a-name-feature-v2-1536x880.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/whats-in-a-name-feature-v2.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div><\/div>\n                <div class=\"col-sm-7\">\n                 <h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/all-outdoors-whats-in-a-name\/\">All-Outdoors\u2026What\u2019s in a Name?<\/a><\/h4>\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\n         <\/div>\n        <\/div> \n                  <\/div>\n<\/div> \n    <hr \/>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"su-spacer\" style=\"height:20px\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"post-author\">\n      <div class=\"container-fluid\">\r\n    <em><small>Posted on June 2, 2021 by<\/small><\/em>\r\n    <div class=\"author-bio\">\r\n\t    <div class=\"col-sm-3\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/jack-armstrong-grandson-of-founder-george-armstrong_avatar-192x192-1.jpg\" class=\"author-avatar img-responsive\" alt=\"Jack Armstrong Bio\" \/><\/div>\r\n\t    <div class=\"col-sm-9\">\r\n        <h3>Jack Armstrong<\/h3>\r\n\t\t<p>Jack grew up 35 minutes from AO headquarters, and is the grandson of our founder, George. His education includes a film degree and art studies from Biola University, as well as lots of experience breaking camera gear outside. After graduating college, he started an outdoors\/action sports focused production company and is largely responsible for our video, photo, and social media content. Jack\u2019s favorite trip is the Cal-Salmon, because of the river\u2019s awe-inspiring beauty and the sweet rapids. When he\u2019s not rafting or playing with cameras, Jack can be found skiing, surfing, visiting art galleries, or eating tacos.<\/p>\r\n\t    <\/div>\r\n        <div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n<\/div>  \n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>All-Outdoors founder George Armstrong reflects on 59 years of lessons learned from California rivers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":704,"featured_media":9454,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[119,16],"tags":[137],"class_list":["post-9435","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rafting-tales","category-video","tag-ao-family"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What California Rivers Taught Me in 59 Years \u2013 Watch &amp; Learn<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"All-Outdoors founder George Armstrong reflects on 59 years of lessons learned from rafting the rivers of California.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/what-california-rivers-taught-me-in-59-years\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What California Rivers Taught Me in 59 Years \u2013 Watch &amp; Learn\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"All-Outdoors founder George Armstrong reflects on 59 years of lessons learned from rafting the rivers of California.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/what-california-rivers-taught-me-in-59-years\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The AO Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/alloutdoors\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-06-02T19:00:59+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-04-16T19:48:23+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.aorafting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/What-Ive-Learned-1b.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1100\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Jack Armstrong: grandson of founder George Armstrong\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Jack Armstrong: grandson of founder George Armstrong\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"1 minute\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.aorafting.com\\\/blog\\\/what-california-rivers-taught-me-in-59-years\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.aorafting.com\\\/blog\\\/what-california-rivers-taught-me-in-59-years\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Jack Armstrong: grandson of founder George Armstrong\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.aorafting.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/75a2a0c72ea25ae8c096a1b6974dfe65\"},\"headline\":\"What California Rivers Taught Me in 59 Years \u2013 Watch &#038; 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