"Just a note to express
our satisfaction and gratitude for organizing our Colorado River
trip in July. It was truly a fantastic experience, one that we
will remember for the rest of our lives. Also, it was just great
to travel with your family, what nice people. I had wanted to run
the Grand Canyon since I was a boy, and I don't know how the trip
could get any better. You folks are the best!" G.C & L.C., Highland, CA
"I will say it could not have been done better. The 14 days were well conceived and carried out in a very organized and professional manner. I will unhesitatingly and aggressively market your company. Before the trip the common response to hearing we were "rafting the Grand Canyon" was "I have always wanted to do that". I can now say unreservedly "follow your dream....with Moki Mac!!!." P.S., Lake Oswego, OR
Richard, Bob, and Clair Quist
A very short story
Albert Quist, our father, ran his first river rafting trip on the Colorado River during the summer of 1947. He organized a group of Boy Scouts for a trip through Glen Canyon from Hite, Utah to Lees Ferry, Arizona. He continued organizing these trips through the 1960s, expanding to other Colorado Plateau river canyons.
Richard Quist talking about Moki Mac River Expeditions' history.
(Quicktime movie 3.5 minutes)
The best part was that Dad started
taking us along beginning in the early 50s. The experience
back in those days was very different than it is today. The "put-ins" and "take-outs" were
remote locations accessible only by long, dusty and sometimes nearly
impassable roads. Many times we rode in the back of the truck on
top of all the rafts and gear. The rafts and gear were war surplus
- ten-man navy assault rafts, old kapok "Mae West" style
life vests and a lot of surplus "c-ration" food. Notwithstanding
these "hardships", we had great fun and retain priceless
memories.
Al Quist
Having had the great, good fortune of "growing up" in the river canyons, we made the decision in 1969 to "launch" a commercial whitewater guiding business, Moki Mac River Expeditions, Inc., the company we still own and operate today.
Malcom (Mac) Ellingson
We’re often asked about our company name. Boy Scouts from that bygone era who participated in the early trips will remember Malcom (Mac) Ellingson, a boy-scout leader who led many of the early trips. Mac was a born "river-man" and he loved to read all he could find, and then pass on stories about ancient Native American lore, including tales about the so-called "Moqui", pre-historic inhabitants of the Colorado Plateau’s river canyons. His tales told around the campfires couldn’t help but result in his nickname becoming "Moki Mac". Mac was our partner in the early years of our formal organization, and we thought it natural to name the company after him.
We hope to meet you on the river very soon! Annie Quist, Bob Quist, Clair & Pam Quist, Richard Quist
