On a two-day guided rafting trip along the South Fork of the American River, Sunset staffers soaked up California's Gold Country sunshine in a delicious combination of thrill-seeking adventure and laid-back camping trip. We ranged from first-timers to aspiring river rats, but teamwork and excellent guides made for smooth sailing. Everyone was exhilarated by the thumps and splooshes of the river and appreciative of the hearty meals prepared by our American River Recreation guides, who shifted from being rugged and boisterous on the rapids to being efficient and skilled in the camp kitchen. Your outfitter will keep you cared for and well informed too, but we thought you'd benefit from a few lessons we learned before you take on the tumbling, rushing rapids of the West's great rivers.