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XU Students visit the Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 09:15:58 GMT

For the fourth consecutive year, a group of Xavier University biology students have travelled south to visit Costa Rica and study the rainforest. They spent some time in San Jose as well as visiting our place on the Osa Peninsula, Morgan's Jungle Lodge. Randy was the host extraordinaire, along with our Costa Rican staff. Check out a blog created by one of the students:

xuchick2012.blogspot.com/search

More to come from other school groups who are studying the rainforest at our facilty this winter and spring! We will be hosting Walnut Hills High School, Clark Montessori High School and Vanderbilt University pre-Med students. Check back!

Check out St.Mary Hyde Park 8th grade trip to Costa Rica in 2009!

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:07:09 GMT

See the adventures that the 8th grade class from St.Mary's School, Hyde Park in Cincinnati experienced last Spring visiting Morgan's Jungle Lodge! Visit the blog site at:

smscostarica09.blogspot.com/

2009 Fireworks at Morgan's Brookville Livery

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 20:58:49 GMT

There was no shortage of people, happiness and fun on Sat. September 19 at the Brookville Canoe Livery. Brookville played host to family, friends, the Boy Scouts and even and a company pig roast. The fireworks display was the perfect end to a beautiful fall-like day.

The Morgans would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the community, our friends and patrons. We had a great summer and look forward to the next natural adventure next summer.

Boulders to be placed in the East Fork along Brookville Town Park

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 23:11:01 GMT

A group called Trout Unlimited is intending to place 75 1-3 ton boulders in the East Fork from approximately a willow tree near the lower picnic shelter of Brookville Town Park, south to approximately the Hermitage, or perhaps farther (they have said only to the Hermitage (approx 350 feet), but their permit is for 800 total feet). The purpose is to build a trout habitat.

They said that they had called me as a courtesy to Canoefest, and they wanted to know if I or someone could go to the river on Tuesday and help them place the boulders so as not to hinder paddling. I asked why we were hearing about this with only 3 days to go? They replied that they had no legal requirement to contact me, or anyone in the county, but was doing it as a courtesy, and that there were 4, not 3 days to go. I informed him that I neither myself or anyone else from Canoefest would have jurisdiction or authority to do such "placements". I also asked to see some plans or specs on their project so that I/we could at least know what we were talking about. I also asked why seemingly no one locally knew anything about the project. They said they had no legal requirement to do so. Later in the day, people at IDEM confirmed there was no requirement to notify the public, as well as no part of the application criteria that looked at community impact, economic impact, or other local concerns.

During the first phone call with Trout Unlimited, they said there was no stopping installation of these boulders on Tueday, August 25. I asked many times for them to delay so that we could look at this, but the first call was quite pushy in more or less demanding that we meet them now.

Now I'm in favor of fishing too. Paddling and fishing are two important aspects of bringing people and their money to this area. They claim this application process has been going on for over a year, but that only strengthens my main question: Why has no one in this community heard about this project until now? How can such a project be done to one of the most important features of our home, without community input?

During a second phone call, the President of Trout Unlimited said he would delay this project until September. I have no legal or documented proof it is indeed not going to happen on Tuesday. They are reporting on their website that the "Brookville Project" is delayed, and an email said 'see you in September," but would that hold up in a court?

This morning I received an email with the Trout Unlimited materials, including their permits, and photos of similar projects to what they are proposing. These can be found at:

http://centralindianatu.org/cituactivities/nextstepsatbrookville.html

I'd like to know what people think about this, and suggestions for what we should do. I asked the trout people for the name of a Franklin County resident who was a member of their organization, and they could not give me one. Do we know anyone from here who is a member?

Morgan's Annual River Float for the Blind

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:26:55 GMT

Seventeen years ago, the Morgan's walk into the Cincinnati Association for the Blind and offered a free canoe trip down the Little Miami river. "They looked at us like we were crazy" said Gary Morgan, but our river rafts are uncapsizable and the Little Miami river is well suited for such an endeavor.

The rest is history!

This year, a group of about 150 from the Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, plus some sighted partners and a few guide dogs, took their annual 3-mile rafting trip through the Fort Ancient Valley on the Little Miami River on July 12, 2009.

Two guide dogs, Piccatta, a yellow lab, and Jenna, a German shepherd, wait as their owners get instructions for the rafting trip on the Little Miami River.

After the trip, everyone gathered at the Riverside Park Picnic Area to sing Amazing Grace, picnic and play games.

Check out the photos and a video from this memorable trip using the links below. We look forward to doing it all over again next year.

Links:

See a photo gallery here.

See a video here by clicking here.

Maximizing your canoeing experience

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:21:42 GMT

When you canoe, bring the important stuff and travel lite. First and foremost, a PFD is required for each canoeist. It can save yor life in an unexpected situation. The Morgan's do a good job of cleaning up the rivers from seasonal debris, but new debris can accumulate without warning. To maximize your experience, let the complete canoeist at right illustrate some of the things you might bring on your trip.

Canoeing is an assumed-risk sport. There are no safety personnel along the river. However, extra care is taken to ensure that your self-guided canoe trip is as safe as possible. Morgan’s provides U.S. Coast Guard approved P.F.D.’s (personal flotation devices), a safety briefing and free “on water” instructions for beginners at your request. In addition, a portion of our staff is Red Cross certified in Basic First Aid and CPR.

The U.S. Coast Guard reports that the majority of boating accidents involve alcohol, therefore, we require that you save the alcohol for after your trip and wear a life jacket. We are proud to provide American Canoe Association instructors on staff at both locations.

IMPORTANT: All guests are required to read, understand and sign an assumption of risk and liability waiver before participating in any activity at Morgan’s. All guests under 18 must have a parent sign the waiver before participating in any activity. You can view and download this waiver by clicking here.