A rare opportunity this spring for rafting on the Salt River

By David Abbott

Adventurers seeking one of the most unique outdoor experiences in Arizona will have the opportunity for the first time in two years to enjoy a true gem of the desert when rafting season begins on the Salt River.

This will be the first time in two years rafting companies will be able to host trips and schedules are already filling up fast for the season that will begin in early March.

“The Salt is so special. It’s a magical one-of-a-kind place in the entire country, in all North America really,” says Salt River Rafting owner James Wilkes. “It’s just incredible up there. There are two major geological faults so the canyon you see from the road at the top is nothing like the canyon 15 miles down river.”

The Salt River Canyon, often referred to as the “Other Grand Canyon,” is one of the hidden gems of Arizona and due to the ephemeral nature of the river — and the permit process to get to the more remote and rugged locations — there is little chance of “Disneyfication” any time soon.

RAFTING, Continued on page 15

Ken Reynolds started his business with a cell phone, a Suburban, a single Penski truck and an American Express card. That was 30 years ago.

Today Accurate Cargo Delivery Systems Inc. has a fleet of 85 vehicles. Penski trucks, semis and 26ft. box trucks. 80 drivers make 650 deliveries a day throughout Arizona and southern Nevada.

Every single day they send 18-wheelers to Globe.

“Most of the business we get is referral,” says Ken.

Accurate Cargo delivers to medical facilities, office buildings, distribution warehouses, construction sites, mining sites, reservations, and sometimes to the edge of a 30-mile dirt road on the Navajo reservation. They deliver the Globe-Miami Times to Globe.

“We were doing business with the printer they use in north Phoenix,” says Ken. “It was a referral.”

The Business of Trucking Cargo

“If you bought it, a truck brought it,” says Bob Johnson, VP of Accurate Cargo. “Everything moves on a truck at some point.”

Big trucks can deliver more freight, but sometimes pickup trucks are the only way to get it up the road. When delivering communication equipment to cellular towers, the semi parks at the bottom and a pickup takes it all the way up.

TRUCKING, Continued on page 18

From Super Bowl LVII to the return of Salt River rafting, February is looking very good indeed for Arizona!

Rafting companies have returned to plying their trade on the Salt, after two years of hiatus due to low water levels. This year we talked to two of the companies, and excitement is high for a good season on the river. We look forward to seeing crew members in town on their day off and meeting the adventuresome souls who come up for a spin on the white water rapids. Book early when the water flows are the highest. Trips begin February 25 and run through early April, depending on water levels (p. 1).

The rainfall we’ve gotten promises to unleash blankets of wildflowers throughout this area and a strong showing of our signature poppies from late February through early April. The annual Poppy Fest, hosted by the Chamber, is now a month-long celebration with various events happening throughout April.

Our feature this month on Accurate Cargo is one I especially enjoyed doing and one of the reasons I’m glad I get to make the calls on the stories we cover and proud of what this paper represents. They are our freight company and the reason we no longer have to drive 2½ hours to pick up the paper. We’re a small company with a small shipment each month, but that shipment is important to us. Accurate Cargo takes that seriously, as they do all the shipments for their customers throughout rural Arizona. The story behind this company starts at the top with owner Ken Reynolds and his VP of Operations, Bob Johnson (p. 1).

And finally, the City of Globe will be hosting its 4th Citizens Academy this Spring. It’s a great opportunity to become familiar with how things work at the City and behind the scenes with our police, fire and public works departments (p. 16). If you haven’t already taken advantage of this program, we recommend it.

As always, we believe in getting to know “the rest of the story,” whether that’s about the freight company that has delivered to you for years or your city leaders who put services in place for the good of community life. It’s part of our dedication to honoring the unsung heroes who keep the wheels turning in Globe-Miami.

As Evelyn Vargas says, it’s the people who jump in and get it done that make all the difference.

Enjoy,

Publisher Linda Gross

Editor Patricia Sanders

Creative Designer

Jenifer Lee

Contributing Writers

David Abbott

Linda Gross

Patricia Sanders

Contributing Photography

Linda Gross Tory Satter

Published Monthly

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