I am Mark Thomas, and I purchased the Paddle Inn Rafting Company at the age of 42, in March of 2005. Our first season was great, and we all had a ball! We really learned more about what "not" to do, thant to do,, or at least it seemed to be in that order.. But, we have a great time, and every year, we seem to enjoy our employees and Customers more and more each year coming. To be honest with you,, I feel like I have the best job in the Country. It is my job, to make sure that you have a great time, year after year, and enjoy the services and the folks at Paddle Inn.

I want to personally thank everyone for their help, and their business. I have met some really wonderful people here, and made some really great friends. I can't begin to thank everyone enough.

Paddle Inn was once the number two rafting Company in the gorge. The last four years prior to my purchase, Paddle Inn saw a steady decline in business. It lost 40% of its business between 2001 and end of 2004. The first year we were in business, we were back up to the previous 2001 numbers due to a large volume of referrals and repeat business. That is without huge marketing campaigns.

Every year, we upgrade things at the Company. We have upgraded our fleet of boats, added new life jackets, paddles, busses, and made quite a few changes to the internals of the business. Everything that is not new is being tweaked, and we are hoping to clean up the image a bit again this season. Paddle Inn's prices have always been the best value on the river, but I suspect the customer service was not there over the last four years. We are here to change that! And that's a promise to all!

It will take a few years to get this place like we want it, but each year we will definitely make progress. One of the biggest hurdles to cross is not being familiar with the area, and all of the factors that can foul up good plans if you don't calculate properly. Three of my largest projects had to be put on hold this year, but another good season, and I'll be ready to catch that window of opportunity that I missed this year due to conditions I was unaware of moving into the winter. It is quite amazing how much water our trees can suck up out of the water and ground during the regular season. Anyway, it is to live and to learn.

I'm an ex computer junkie, who has been involved in just about everything. Don't believe me, just ask. I'll bet I'll try fooling you anyway. And no, Web Design was not my forte! I worked for several Fortune 500 and 1000 companies while maintaining my certification as a Master Certified Netware Engineer. Software support was the beginning of it all, then Hardware, then Network, then Servers, Routers, and anything else you would need to build an Enterprise Network Infrastructure. Later, I ran my own Consulting Firm while I still lived in Baton Rouge, La. Before that, I commercial fished, trapped and hunted, did construction, welding and a bunch of other things for a living. 
   
Dad began to get a little worse, so I came up here to enjoy what I liked to do the most, and be close to my parents to help out as much as I possibly can. Little did I know, that Mom would be helping me in the business everyday, and Dad would get so much enjoyment from seeing it all happen.
  
If you have someone in your family with Alz, don't underestimate the lack of verbalization or anything else associated with the disease with the lack of understanding, or the ability to still feel the feelings that we all take for granted. 

Nobody should have to go through this type of disease, but it is even worse when we give up, and feel that we have been defeated. Granted everyone is not in a position to provide the extra care, but we are going to hang in there as long as we can. So if you happen to read through this, say a little prayer for us and we'll be sure to pray for you too. Thanks and God Bless you all!

This photo is from 1998 when we all got together for Christmas. 
Last good picture of Dad posing with a smile. 
I think we have all changed a bit since then.
(Mark, Dempsey, Ardis, Michael)
(Me, Dad, Mom and Brother)