CHAMBER BUSINESS CONNECTION 9
Trapper John ' s Canoe Livery
Getting Back to Nature
The road slopes downhill and begins to wind as you approach Trapper
John ’ s Canoe Livery , a sure sign you ’ re nearing water . As I enter the gravel lot , my tires sprout no dust . The morning had brought rain along with it . The ground is still damp and the air is humid , yet cool . A bundle of visitors clad in orange life vests nestle near the edge of Big Darby Creek . Kayaks and canoes are stacked , drying like firewood , eagerly awaiting their turn in the water . The “ creek ” is high and swift from the rain - the word creek being a misnomer , as the Big Darby is actually a decent sized river . Even from a distance , you can hear the current slipping by , and small dog , larkishly named “ Trapper Jack ,” plays in the shade of a huge oak that slopes towards the water ’ s edge . After everyone is floating down the Darby , I approach Jason Kaufman – the owner and operator of Trapper John ’ s Canoe Livery . Reflective sunglasses wrap around his kind but taught face , and he wears the type of tan you can only get from working outdoors . Trapper John ’ s has been around for a long while - operating since around 1970 . “ I ’ ve been doing this myself for about 25 years ,” Kaufman says with a knowing grin . “ Been on Darby Creek Forever .” Kaufman continues , explaining the appeal of Trapper Johns . “ Our slogan is ‘ A unique and adventurous outdoor experience .’ We do canoeing and kayaking on the State and National scenic Big Darby ,” he says with a matterof-fact gusto . There is no need for a sales pitch here – the river sells itself . Clutching my camera , I wonder if I could get away with floating down the drink right now while on the job – maybe explain it away as a photo opportunity . I decide against it . Kaufman explains some details . Trapper John ’ s drops you off at the start of some tours upstream , and picks you up at others downstream . All you have to do is pay and float . Prices are pretty cheap too , as far as summer fun goes . “ Very affordable – our prices are always competitive , I ’ m always checking prices around every year and I ’ m always right at them or cheaper ,” he says . Behind me the dog Trapper Jack is now perched atop a stack of kayaks , barking . He seems frightened by the camera – but calms down after I let him sniff it . Before we can begin again , a busload of guests gets dropped off . They ’ re all wet but full of smiles . Bradley Bowman , a Columbus teen , explains that for him the water is anything but serene . “ The biggest draw is the current , the water you know – the adrenaline . I get going pretty fast . I see turtles , geese , snakes , all kinds of wildlife – it ’ s very recommendable !” he says through a nervous laugh . I don ’ t think he ’ s been interviewed before . Kaufman pipes up . “ It ’ s funny , they came back all soaking wet- I always say you know you ’ re having fun when you come back wet .” “ I think this is a great way bring your family together and get em outside , get em back to nature , get em out of the house and re-introduce them to Mother Nature and have some good family quality time together , that ’ s ultimately what I want to provide .”
Mention
the Chamber to buy one get one FREE on weekday sample trips through the end of June !
CHAMBER BUSINESS CONNECTION 9