White Water Rafting In Maine! Do It At Least Once In Your Life! (checking off list)

     You make a list of things you have always wanted to do, but just need the time and other folks that have the same desire to tackle it with you right? Mid winter in Maine is not the time to white water raft whether you have a wet suit on or not.  But plan now to make the trek north to the Penobscot, Dead or Kennebec Rivers in Maine to learn the thrills and spills associated with white water rafting.  First thing the guide will tell you is, if you fall out of the raft (everyone looks around at each other for reaction to this one) the guide says make sure to keep your legs up.  Broken legs against rocks or getting pinned under a rock and working hard against the current to get unwedged is one concern or danger.  Hitting your head on a rock is another.  Being between a rock and a hard place becomes crystal clear where the expression came from.  Have gone on unicorn and northern expeditions. 

     It is fun to round up eight people, to meet at the base lodge of the operation. To climb in a bus with rafts on top, and head to the dam of a paper company or forestry outfit to put in at The Forks or in the Baxter State Park area outside Millinocket in an unorganized township.  Get the lecture on the keep your legs up, what this command means, how to paddle, when to paddle, hang on to your paddle.  The first part of the rafting experience where you pull it off the top of the bus and together get it to the launch site is a little unnerving your maiden voyage because you are  thinking, I can swim but hope I don't leave the raft and my party.  Where to sit in the raft a consideration.  What the heck...get right in front where you get the full experience.  Everyone is going to get soaked anyway! There is short rope to grab with one hand, the paddle in your other.  Your raft guide in the back is the rudder with your side of the raft being brought into action as he navigates down the river shouting commands.  You eddy out to a certain spot for lunch which is cooked for you and you are hungry.  Taste the best BBQ chicken, mexican rice or steaks or grilled fish you have ever had. Home made potato salad (getting hungry writing this blog this close to lunch) and you have an experience for all the senses.  Christmas gift...could not do better than this one.  You will spend about a $100 a piece because you will want the video of you hanging on for dear life rounding a high rock with a photographer on top capturing the ride for you.  Still photos with your whole party are a neat wall hanging to remember the event! Make sure to tie colored tape in your helmet webbing...the kind surveyors use to flag off property corners of woods.  You can buy a roll for a couple bucks and the sea of yellow, white or dark colored helmets will stand out with your group if flagged properly! See you on the Maine river you decide to raft on! Another nifty site on kayaking and water related Maine recreation to look over too if you have the time!

http://www.visitmaine.com/tag/attractions/outdoor_recreation_sports_adventure/canoeing_kayaking_fresh_water/