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.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFg6ZzfCdWjoVgCttXCuMirInnCAV5fLHmr-bWGXymvONu_AEop0am9yuR5mGkjyyURZ9XTbsjXoB-nMxb8JPeluPjFJsV2O0u4JV-I2qhuhkYoBAVGQ4RcCN4S8EiO5XdZr2wWoT2OPf3/s400/IMG_9459.jpg)
Now, it's just a pretty foot-path and gives us access to this...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3EKRJfkFCc6iUzMoSdNtKIJBrUehsCSj1etCtBDN-H1Bu6qJkNtV1JLIoSQ5Hlm-NUwVXw5EN98kSNuTev3pcSxDSYDVyQw0iZOM14HVTbemr4aya_fTIZs5FU-EQRff-yy7oTFSrsBjq/s400/IMG_9477.jpg)
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...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvZSmFYi-fdS_iEhDPYRj_iUtrWijZcTzgtN8u3NMusH20SyoI2kVQw4DHMcRBOjUa_xY3Xh797Stm0JgZ-nXceweQxPh4USP45gtMoEnj9Ze_a92EvI2QjLSmo2hhu8jXmpL1R9Ffh_f/s400/IMG_0922.jpg)
It looked like this! And every few minutes, kayakers and rafters would come into view.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoEG7ho0mNJBjUKz-tKINR6CVx05eZSLMogXTW1osXthCFyfcy-che4tFJV8GULcJ87vgABKwPZIETIjn7d1lsCxaxfiubyvgwpUlUFo6fW0zine7Gr3e3NxUWlFHHJBvC-Py_UbiALqA-/s400/IMG_0929.jpg)
Here's Kristiina photographing a kayaker as rafters whiz past her!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih5Bms7y-8qrgBWG9jXay39uxDwNo9d365HJODStf6L85WfMnp0rS7bsuWnVICpE8mAGHziHs5lxjejKJNdMQNfeYRnD8UuxxHWmJxwq2r6EXAbxKN4byAlyrlaF0YoaQ8KnKq9w5biGjj/s400/IMG_0928.jpg)
We enjoyed watching them do their thing in the ferocious whitewater.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9GfvuDQTW1E9zk6HbJxyLpJ6NA4VYIbr5mBxAM98wCZUoKASxnVpZbInCqW6WL6tXAqanoRp7TcS8987ue6J_y0_eHCgvMDGEHTSpIBkZTEMC9w9Mp8s_rHYbnTggzhC-7E1-iYIFf3pf/s400/IMG_0908.jpg)
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.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVNl9mLbj9uIj6LcsNS8oJA9v1pBBOjWpqehpmLEmsOU-0_PR5fXeYtC_mfAquSBB6EaiO-UV9bp5ubZHB5EyJ5hy12W8JU-yTTumKMnxR25cJvaa2An6YU-Q4kprQLjs5KwozgDTIgCru/s400/IMG_0919.jpg)
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.
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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!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkX3hUUpKto3-T8U8ayW3PCR7hCZT9e_YN4XUyNNdPYUL2NTv1EIHFFMQSVaGBoufsmCzxSZXobOixjdut2wx79cDwayMSaFPzu-W_tS6I7MXcYniiz1fM_QQcRHO2ZASzt3BglLqQhi6Y/s400/IMG_0942.jpg)
Kayakers watching their friends maneuver the rapids.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9edDSjjMmfow2MkVvmuMnsbgzOd6_vimSNCuzzqTpWrtUoV4YgAXN_FzsQtzSW3Z5OThyphenhyphenQdvMfc7w2vbjyA9WouI11rynf2DDTL2iP8c_n1-TS24fZ8wsztdtIVGC4oXzpHtoaNtRuFUs/s400/IMG_0954.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4RBfpYS5NFu-t_zII_rAG7sWv_ThyphenhyphenM-utgqEXSYkdbt0jFlock4WUxB8z5tKH0RfLaWbs4oqUKm0TUFx4kWNyEtVJdLvoX6_dEPL2lSp1Qa7RTzmUo3lZclWBJwIPI67qPeey3W8iqhs/s400/IMG_0963.jpg)
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.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzusGAO2SfgYfESmcIq12Md8FvyDOJkGEb8GYV8jNDYhOy2xeW1dyHHdTmXs9cdh7DL0vRKf2DquErf30R4dsLYExlkVR_1wyg9_lrokVAhHmUCh7PZPEOqD94QHI8IP1ZjEW6J0O63AiZ/s400/IMG_0975.jpg)
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!
3 comments:
Yeah! How fun. I was wondering how long this blog post would be. We took a TON of pictures that day. I want to see more but can see why you you split the day.
:-D Oh and I got my computer functioning...somewhat. I'll see what I can do about posting my pictures too. MWAH! Love you!
What an amazing morning!! Looks like the weather cooperated beautifully...I think I see some pink from the sun on Kristiina's cheeks. Can't wait to see what the afternoon brought! Love you both!
I think that maybe those kayakers weren't resting at all but possibly stopping to admire the beautiful ladies who were photographing them....Hmmmm....
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