RIVER RAFTING EXPERIENCE

The River Rafting Experience

The aroma of morning coffee fills the mountain air. The sounds of the river begin to demand the attention of the rafters as they slowly awaken from the warmth of their synthetic zippered dens (sleeping bags). Sitting at the river's edge, enjoying their coffee, accompanied by a three egg omelette, sizzling bacon, homemade biscuits and fresh seasonal sliced fruit, they watch their river guides carefully preparing the river crafts for the day's journey. The last drops of coffee are battled for as if that could camouflage the anticipation, the exhilaration and uncertainty of the day's adventure that awaits newcomers to the river.

West Virginia's First River Rafting Company - And Still The Most Professional
	Wildwater Expeditions Unlimited, Inc. Now in its 42nd season of rafting on the New River & Gauley River, Wildwater Expeditions is dedicated to creating your ultimate outdoor adventure. The professionalism & quality experience provided is unmatched - on & off the river. Wildwater Expeditions river guides are extensively trained & dedicated to safety & making your visit both memorable & fun.

Experience Whitewater Adventures on the East Coast
	Zoar Outdoor Zoar Outdoor offers whitewater rafting, canoeing, kayaking, biking & rock climbing in the Deerfield River Valley & beyond. Friendly professional staff, comfortable base camp & top-notch equipment ensure that your adventure will be memorable. They will match your schedule & your desire for adventure.

Feeling full of energy from the morning meal that was orchestrated by the surround sounds of nature, the chores begin as everyone starts breaking down camp, dismantling their tents, wrestling with their oversized sleeping bags that somehow fit into the tiny nylon cocoons, known to most as stuff sacks. With the morning chores completed, rafters bask in the sun as they lay atop the soft mounds of their recently packed gear. Piece by piece their mounds dwindle as the guides carefully hand-pick each bundle of equipment to complete their loads. Slowly, the campsite transforms to its natural state and becomes un-invaded by the group.

The awaited call comes. The lead guide takes position on a large boulder, the stage from which he recites, "it's time for our ceremonial prayer to the river gods." Rafters quickly gather ‘round and follow as the lead guide chants to the East, chants to the West, chants to the North and chants to the South. All at once, the other river guides swarm in on the rafters from every direction with their bailing buckets brimming with icy river water. The screams are ear piercing and the laughter abounds as the rafters are doused — the final phase of the river prayer is complete with this perfect display of ceremony. The legend states that for those who partake in the ritual festivities honoring the mighty river Gods, a safe journey and a warm encounter with nature's wildlife will be granted them. Everyone secretly says their own prayer and draws a deep breath just as the lead guide issues the first official order of the day, "Everyone report to your assigned guide and load up."

As the boats depart into the river's swift current the rafters' uncertainty is broken by the confidence of the river guide's commands, "back paddle on the right, forward on the left." Miles are traveled and time passes. The confidence of the river crew grows, not by strength but by balance. The crew becomes one with the river. There's no music like the symphony sung by the motion of the water.

"Shh", listen! Hearts begin to race and friendly conversation is replaced with silence as a distant rumble increases in intensity. The demanding sounds of the rapids grow louder and louder. The rafters know the moment has arrived. Nervous and uncertain the crews cautiously listens to the commands of their river guides. Quicker than they know the rafts plunge into the chilling, powerful, unforgiving walls of thunderous white water. Serenity is replaced with rushing adrenaline. Minutes seem like an eternity. As quick as the rapids came upon them, the towering walls of water were gone, replaced with a tranquil slow moving stream. Now, the air is filled with the calming sounds of song birds. The sunshine has become everyone's best friend, melting away the water that kissed them from all directions. Moments later the guides become silent and still. They use hand signals to direct their rafters' attention to the visual feast that awaits on shore... to the left is a black bear watering her cubs at the river's edge, and farther ahead, barely in sight, is a bull elk peering through the thickets of overgrown flora. Overhead the piercing glance of a Bald Eagle sitting atop a lone pine observes the passers by. At this moment, rafters are convinced that the river Gods have honored them for partaking in the ritual river prayer.

Rapid after rapid, endless memories of smiles and laughter, the diversity of human character is challenged by the river's strength. The souls of the rafters are enlightened by the beauty of the river. Many hours have passed, the rapids have left a deep impression on everyone. The flora and fauna is breathtaking. The guides casually command to their hungry passengers "forward on the right side please." The boats begin to turn, the next command comes softly, "everyone forward paddle please." Rafters find themselves almost missing the instructions of the river guide because they're overtaken by the scenery beyond the banks of the river — purple lupines, golden poppies and infinite arrangements of flowers duplicating the colors of a rainbow. Pulling into the sandy beach, the rafters dismount their rubbery rides and become land lovers once again.

Lunch is served on the river's edge... three inch thick gourmet sandwiches, filled with tri tip, cheeses, cherry peppers and mile high condiments. There are kiwis, watermelon, Asian pears, and more desserts than a child would dream of. At lunch's end, and after a short nap or afternoon swim — back to the river dance, swirling and twirling with the majestic white water.

Rapid after rapid, not once does any mind linger to the deadlines of work assignments, nor the treacherous city freeway rush hours. Minds are at peace, reflecting on all that has been encountered on the river. Rafters relax, floating along and enjoying the alternating exchange of the shade from a cliff and the hot sun warming and tanning their skin.

Rafters are startled from the slumbering afternoon daydreams when the lead river guide shouts, "here comes the big one, PLEASE, listen carefully!" From seemingly nowhere, bubbling, churning water rumbled in the near distance. All of a sudden, the currents increase and the rafts are quickly pulled by the merciless hydraulics of the river, as if they had been hooked onto by a high-powered winch. The river has taken control. As the river quickly drops away, the rafters are suddenly struck by monstrous walls of chilling, foaming white water that roars in their faces like a beast about to devour their very existence. Fear sets in to one boat of rafters as their guide begins yelling, "high side, high side, climb the high side." They obey the begging commands of their river guide, charging to climb to the high side of their raft as it is tossed sideways from the turbulent walls of powerful white water. The rafters' life achievements seem to scramble through their minds, hoping the river Gods remember their prayers. Finally, just before it's too late, when that minute seemed like a lifetime, the ominous waters decided to become serene.

The evening "take-out site" is nearing and the smoke of the campfires, set by the guides who have arrived earlier, paint the sky. As rafters pull into shore they can see their tents have been set up and their personal gear carefully laid out for them. They wonder for a moment if they're in the middle of an 18-day river rafting journey through the Grand Canyon or a guest of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. As feet hit the warm sandy beach some scurry to be first at the volleyball net, while others head for a shade tree.

The sun is starting to set, the welcomed, cool evening breeze overtakes the heat of the day, the volleyball championship has been settled. Some rafters are napping and some are enjoying a cool evening dip. The aroma from the char broiled steaks fill the air and then the dinner bell is sound. After a hearty river meal of fire grilled fillet mignon, sweet white corn, steaming homemade rolls, freshly tossed greens tinted with a river secret dressing, topped off with a pineapple upside down cake fresh from the Dutch oven, the rafters are lured to the majestical power of the campfire. Here the nightly activities begin... music, dancing, and sing-a-longs. Plentiful conversation fills the air. The sound of a strumming guitar accompanied by the softness of a flute carry through the trees and is heard by a couple in the distance privately refreshing themselves underneath their solar shower hung on a tree branch. As their bodies are touched by the evening breeze, they can see their rafting companions in the distance gathered around the campfire–a slight beacon for them to use when they are ready to return to the others who have already drenched themselves with the words of the folk songs they sang as children. Together as a versed choir they sing in harmony a song from John Denver, Take Me Home Country Road, followed by Oh Suzanna and so many more.

As the evening hours pass, rafters learn and share the musical talents of all the river runners. At times music is replaced with memorable stories and cultural dances like Cajun Clogging and Folk. Stories from their most recent river rafting quest are told and exaggerated. The courage, the fear, the uncertainty of the day's events, are all brought out by the magic of the campfire. As the music fades, the inevitable sunrise is only hours away. The rafters slowly drop away one by one, retiring to their synthetic zippered dens perched in the soft sand along the river's edge. There remains only a few sleepless but tired rafters sharing a silent moment interrupted only by the vanishing crackle of the fire and the faint sound of nearby rapids waiting to entertain tomorrow's adventurers.

Written By: Timothy E. Gordon Professional River Guide

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