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White Water Rafting
| Standing on the shore you can hear the thunderous roar and
see the white
foam, the holes, the walls, and the waves, but you cannot imagine the raw
power of the river. The excitement builds as you and your teammates climb
aboard in calm water. You can feel the anticipation of the river
flowing under your boat. It wants you. Sliding out into the froth your
senses are aware of the slightest sound, sight, or movement. You balance
on the edge and it seems the slightest nudge will send you swimming. |
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Nearing the first rapid your pulse quickens. You hear your
guide call that
fateful command, "All hard forward!" The raft lunges into the maelstrom.
The river tosses it left, right, and up. It plunges down. The force of
your paddle against the water holds you inside the raft against twisting,
pulling, and pushing forces of inertia. The waves splash over your head.
Gasping for air between blasts of water you can hear your guide steadfastly
calling his commands; finding the weaknesses of the river and using the
river's own strengths against itself. Suddenly everything is calm. You
have made it through the first rapid. |
| The adventure is not over yet. You have many rapids left to
traverse, but
safety comes first. Maneuvering over to a large boulder you stop to assist
the raft following you. You watch as it plunges into the walls of water,
as it disappears into the holes, and as it skirts the rocks. One of the
rafters misses a stroke and plunges into the tempest. Seconds later two of
his teammates pull him back in, but you notice your guide has already
thrown a lifeline across the river, just in case. |
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Finishing the trip will be a great adventure.
Beware the wrath of the
river--for she can easily pull you down--but fear her not. If you treat
her with respect and admiration, she will in turn allow you to pass
unscathed. |
Rafting & Hiking through the Grand Canyon
Rafting in West Virginia
Rafting the Deerfield River (a.k.a.
"The Dryway") in western Massachusetts
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