River Music with LVDY

LVDY (pronounced LADY) is a Colorado-based duo comprised of Kathleen Hooper and Aubrey Mable. Their uplifting sound and intimate storytelling is a delightful recipe of singer-songwriter, indie-folk, with powerful melodies and harmonies that speak to the senses. Love anthems weave in and out of their messages, with simple yet important reminders that we’re not alone. Their ethereal harmonies, warmth and meaningful lyrics find inspiration in the beauty of the outdoors… They are quite literally the perfect soundtrack to your river trip.

“Mable’s warm rasp complements Hooper’s bright and clear vocals. With an acoustic guitar, the occasional tambourine and their harmonies, LVDY makes honest music enveloped in positive vibes to fill those sunny Colorado afternoons.” – 303 Magazine

Aubrey and Kathleen met in 2012 while studying abroad in Dunedin, New Zealand and almost instantly became the best of friends. They bonded over their dreams of traveling the world sharing their music and began playing together in their chilly NZ flats. When they returned to the States, they played on front porches of college houses as well as in the welcoming homes of friends and family. What began as late-night kitchen and living room jam sessions, open mics and groovy covers turned into an outpouring of original tunes and the official birth of LVDY.

LVDY’s debut EP, Electricity was produced by Dreamers Delight and arrived in February of 2019. During their first year of pursuing music full-time, the LVDIES were named the Best Folk Band/Artist by Denver’s renowned music and arts publication 303 Magazine and toured the country playing nearly 100 shows and festivals at renowned venues, including Denver’s famous Lost Lake, Larimer Lounge, The Marquis Theater and The Oriental, plus Rockwood Music Hall (NYC), The Hotel Café (L.A.) and House of Blues Chicago while gathering a dedicated and connected audience known as the LVDYMOB. LVDY has supported incredible acts like powerhouse vocalist LÉON, Joseph, Emily Scott Robinson, Rising Appalachia, Joy Oladokun, The National Parks, and Morgan Saint.

Day 1: We will meet at 9am at Bode’s General Store in Abiquiu, NM (meeting places), after which we will take a scenic 1 hr. shuttle to the put-in. Our drive will feature vistas of the craggy peaks of the San Juan Mountains, the massive Brazos Cliffs-over 3000 vertical feet high, and the village of Tierra Amarilla, the center of Reies Tijerina’s land grant revolt of the l960’s. Our launch point is at El Vado Ranch, a rustic, riverside fishing resort. The Chama River immediately whisks us away through a series of swift riffles and into the evergreen-lined canyon. We enter Chama Canyon Wilderness and negotiate Aragon Rapids (Class II). Our camp will be on an old high-water bench, under shelter of ponderosa pines and Douglas firs. After a delicious supper everyone will settle in around the campfire for laughter, music and good times!

Day 2: Enjoy a leisurely morning beginning with a hearty, hot breakfast. A song or two to get us going and we are off down the river. If time allows we will stop for a hike up one of the numerous side canyons or to the top of Navaho Peak for a spectacular vista. We will arrive at camp early for more relaxing camp time, riverside music and great food.

Day 3: We will encounter some longer, steeper rapids and multi-hued sandstone cliffs up to 1000′ high. Emerging from the canyon wilderness area, we observe a quiet zone as we pass the Christ in the Desert Monastery. Now begins the lively whitewater run (Class II-III) into the headwaters of Abiquiu upper Reservoir. Our take out at mid-afternoon, enables us to return you to your vehicles in Abiquiu by 4:00pm.

Get ready to pitch a tent, sling a hammock, throw down a pad, and relax! Every day we will prepare and serve you a delicious riverside lunch, not limited to, but often including an array of home-roasted sandwich meats and homemade dips and salsas. In addition, our camp dinners and breakfasts are a classic staple of the Far Flung experience, as nearly 50 years in business has not only taught us the principles of reading white-water…but also of cooking and camp ambiance!

***Please let us know ahead of time about any allergies or special food requirements***

Camp Gear:
Following is a list of required and recommend items for this three-day camping excursion. You will also receive this list as part of your confirmation email. As part of the trip we will provide waterproof drybags for all of your personal items, camp chairs for fireside relaxation and enjoyment, plus any tents, pads and sleeping bags that you and your group need.

Please click here to look at a more in-depth list of required and recommended camp gear:

Going Camping? Here’s what you’ll need.

A deposit of $150/person is required at booking. A cancellation more than two-months in advance will forfeit deposit. Cancellation within two months will forfeit 25% of regular trip cost. Cancellation within one month forfeits 50% of regular trip cost. Cancellation within two weeks forfeits entire trip cost. Balance is due two weeks prior to trip.