Angie Fuhrmann is a river guide for ROW Adventures. Prior to working on the Rogue, she had a cubicle job with the Department of Health and Human Services in Northern California. “Although I enjoyed the job, I couldn’t spend any more time in a cubicle, I just needed to be outside.” During the off-season, she leads experiential education semesters abroad for Carpe Diem Education. The trips are three months of travel to various countries, with a focus on local culture, environment, and issues affecting the communities. She has a Master’s in Anthropology from Colorado State University and is currently doing independent research in ethnomycology (the interactions between humans and fungi).
The Interview
How are you connected to the Rogue River?
I’ve been a river guide for ROW Adventures for the past four years.
What do you enjoy about working on the Rogue?
It is a perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. You have fun rapids, great flat water stretches to swim in, and tons of amazing wildlife.
Do you have a favorite place on the Rogue?
Mule Creek Canyon is my favorite place on the Rogue River. I have spent time on many rivers and have never seen anything like it. The thrill of the rapids combined with the amazing geology is truly remarkable!
Is there a sense of community on the Rogue?
Yes, there is a great community on the Rogue. I especially love the people who run Marial and Black Bar Lodge. It is like arriving home. They are always there with open arms, ice cold lemonade, and freshly baked cookies!
Has the Rogue influenced your life?
Yes. I fell in love on the Rogue, with both the river and a man. In the end, I chose the river and I am still seeing it to this day.
What is the personality of the Rogue River?
The Rogue River is like a playful puppy. Upon seeing it, you let your inner child come out and your real-world responsibilities fall away. You become absorbed in the fun it presents you and you just want to play, play, play.
Does that happen to your guests as well?
As a river guide I have the opportunity to take many people down the river for their first time. It is amazing just how much it opens people up and expands their comfort zones. I remember taking a young boy down the river. In the first rapid, he was terrified and clinging to the boat. By the last rapid, he was riding on the front of the raft, yelling “bring on the waves”!
Anything else you would like to add?
The Rogue is a place that is near and dear to my heart. The first time I went down it, it changed my life. Coming from the desert, I had never seen a place so green. Now, year after year, I return to the river that for me, never gets old. I know that there will be fun splashes, lots of sunshine and beautiful stretches of flat water to relax in, and amazing personalities – whether they are rafters, lodge workers, or BLM rangers.