July 7, 2012 10:14 am
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Done right, with proper safety gear and an experienced guide, white-water rafting on a Pennsylvania river is an exhilarating, drenching adventure. Amusement park rides that simulate the experience are fun, too, but the passive approach is no challenge.
Not far from Pittsburgh, a middle ground is available — ideal for those who want to try controlling a six-person raft as it bobs, spins and plummets down a churning stream, but who are worried about swift currents or pointy rocks.
A 1,700-foot, man-made course sits atop the Wisp Resort at Deep Creek Lake in Maryland, which can be reached on a two-hour drive from Pittsburgh along gorgeous country roads through Washington and Fayette counties.
The artificial riverbed was constructed to host Olympic-caliber rafting and kayaking by Adventure Sports Center International, a non-profit that recently was taken over by Garrett County due to financial problems. Unlike a natural river, water levels and some features are adjustable, so the course can be tailored to beginners.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/opinion/editorials/slice-of-summer-man-made-convenience-meets-white-water-rafting-643669/#ixzz207usNgCu
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