Rafting on the Cheat River

Cheat River Outfitters. They do a great job of making you believe that you will have a good time and not die. And for the third year in a row, their assurances have turned out to be solid. They even take pictures of you that you can use to demonstrate what a rugged character you are. That’s me in the front-right of the boat. The dramatic sprays of water effectively conceal the out-of-shape, terrified reality.

I do recommend this outfit. If you can follow instructions and remain reasonably focussed, you will have fun and not fall out of the boat. And if you do, the personnel is very experienced and will get you back in.

This was after weeks of rain, so the river was raging and we got our money’s worth. The air was cold, but there was no bother with bugs or sunscreen. Statistics: there were 25 of us, including seven adults, covering a wide range of fitness and experience, and 100% had an unqualified blast.

I must say, after driving three hours there, 3.5 hours on the river, and three hours back home, I enjoyed my martini with a righteous sense of entitlement.