Looking for a wet and wild time this summer?  How about white water rafting?

Growing up in Jacksonville Florida my family and I would go camping in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia.  One year when I was approximately 8 years old we tried white water rafting on the Nantahala River.  Honestly I don’t remember much of the trip except for that at the very end was a class 3 rapid called Nantahala Falls.  The reason I remember that is the river guide said it was not a good spot to fall out.  Well guess what I did?  I fell over half way out of the boat until someone grabbed me and I stayed in-whew!

I have always remembered that so recently while camping this year, I suggested we do it again with my children and my nephews.  The Nantahala Outdoor Center is just west of Bryson City, North Carolina in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.  They offer a variety of river trips ranging from beginner to expert and on several different rivers in North Carolina and Georgia.

The six of us (my Father, my cousin Emily, nephews James and David, and my two daughters) thought we would brave the beginner level rapids with our guide Susan.  Turns out the biggest thing to brave besides the last waterfall was the cold water.  WOW–48 degrees of clear, crisp, freeze your buns off water.

Our guide Susan was the greatest.  We were in the head boat of 7 during our 2 1/2 hour trip of history, lame jokes (that were great), and action.  We had tons of laughs and times to yell as we bounced off rocks, rolled of rocks, and headed down the river towards that final waterfall.  It was just like 30 years ago–except I totally stayed in the boat.  So if you are in North Georgia or South Carolina check it out http://www.noc.com/

Written by Carrie Castleman for Chic Galleria magazine.