Sightseeing Sundays: Chattooga River Whitewater Rafting

“Believe me! The secret of reaping the greatest fruitfulness and the greatest enjoyment from life is to live dangerously!” — Friedrich Nietzsche
Chattooga River, about an hour north of Charleston, South Carolina, has some awesome rapids for whitewater rafting. We went a few years ago, and out of the three rivers I have rafted, it was by far the best. When I say best, I mean most intense because I love the more difficult, higher level rapids. At one point, I fell out like a turtle on its back flat onto a huge rock with my legs still in the boat and the water rushing over us so bad that I couldn't pull myself back up. And this happened at the exact moment after our guide had just said, "This is the spot you definitely do not want to fall out at" because there was a big whirlpool that sucks you down.
This river was of course gorgeous, but it also had some fun elements that I hadn't experienced before like a spot where you could "surf" with your raft. Basically, we had to paddle with our all might up the river into this real strong area of current and then the water would slingshot us down a good part of the river. Some of the rafts couldn't do it, but we made it! Great fun.
We camped the night before and night after in this primitive campground area for free. I tell you, there is something scary about camping primitive, very horror-movie-ish. But the sense of freedom, like no one else exists in the world for a day, made the experience worth it. It just made us want to scream at the top of our lungs! If you are the least bit adventures and adrenaline-loving and haven't been whitewater rafting yet, do it. You can find a place with lower level rapids to start if you are scared. I've even gone with my mom on a different river, and she is no daredevil. It is just one of those experiences that everyone should have at least once. Trying something new and getting your heart racing a little makes you appreciate your life even more.
For Chattooga River whitewater rafting, check out WildWater Chattooga Ridge Adventure Center. They rock! There is also a list of lodging for campgrounds, bed and breakfasts, and cabins.
P.S. This is also where they filmed Deliverance--there is a dark side to inspiration!