Our Adventure

Saturday was our adventurous day! After breakfast, we started at the Ocoee Whitewater Center.


We took this little path, a portion of which is actually the old Copperhill Mine Road, used in the late 1800's for hauling copper ore by wagon train.




Now, it's just a pretty foot-path and gives us access to this...






That's the Ocoee River bed, and is how it looked when Mom, Aunt Mega, and Alana were here in May.

When Kristiina and I ventured there this past Saturday, however, the dam was open and so...




It looked like this! And every few minutes, kayakers and rafters would come into view.






Here's Kristiina photographing a kayaker as rafters whiz past her!






We enjoyed watching them do their thing in the ferocious whitewater.







Here's a couple now who just made it to the safety of calmer water. I think these were the two Kristiina was watching, above.







It appears they're taking a moment to pose for us as rafters continue on to the next rapid... but I think they were really just resting for a bit.

See that bridge in the distance... we're headed there next.





Whoo - there's a lot of activity on the river today! Kristiina and I have both done whitewater rafting on this very river (years ago... I haven't done it yet since living here). It is sooo exhilarating (with perfectly serene moments, as seen above)! If you ever get the chance, give it a try!




Kayakers watching their friends maneuver the rapids.









The Whitewater Center. There's a restaurant, gift shop and conference center which can be reserved for various gatherings, including weddings. It's a beautiful building inside and out. The second level has dozens of rocking chairs on the deck overlooking the river. Tranquility.

It was a fun, busy, action-filled place that day, with something for everyone... hikers/bikers/kayakers/rafters/photographers and spectators!

Okay, by now it's only about noon, and we're off to Goforth Creek which is where our physical activity began... hiking and rock-hopping the creek. I'll save it for tomorrow, but just wait!