Gear Review, Hiking, Paddling, Motorcycle Touring

We hiked on up the trail which leads to the top of the mountain. The terrain remains the same but the views from higher and higher up are clearer as you proceed above the trees you were earlier buried under. We didn't reach summit mostly because there was a football game I wanted to watch. We turned around and made our two and a half hour descent back down the mountain. All told, it was about a 7 mile journey and worth every inch.

And a highlight for my wife, we saw a black bear cub as we were driving out of the park - the second bear of the trip which is ironic because we spent early, early mornings and many hours scouting bears in Shenandoah National Park and came up empty.

On this hike I trail tested the Vibram Five Fingers - Read the Gear Review Here

Ok, this is not exactly a trip report but rather some thoughts about trips and life in general.

Every parent at one time or another has probably encountered the dreaded "Are we there yet?" question from a bored kid in the back seat.  Who knows how long that question has been around?  The "Are we there yet?" interrogative may have been occurring since the horse and buggy days.  Even as adults we often miss the point of traveling.  We confuse the destination with the goal of traveling.

Modern society always has to be somewhere at a very specific time and the process of getting there is viewed as an annoyance that should be shortened.  The trip is dull, but unfortunately the destination often sours too.  We go all that way only to be disappointed.  We pictures our selves at our destination having fun with various activities, but the anticipation of the arrival often is too high and we are left with a flat feeling about our trip. 

As your raft drifts in the current you tuck in your feet, ready your paddle, and listen to the rumble of the rapid below. As your pulse quickens you begin to feel your heart beat in your ears and the faint taste of iron fills your mouth. This is pure adrenaline. This is why you came. The sound of the rapid, like a runaway train, grows louder and closer as the current quickly picks up speed. Your raft enters the rapid and your guide shouts commands as if they were a half-mile away. Paddles fly in a frenzy as water crashes the bow of the boat and surrounds you from all sides. Crashing through a giant wave, your stomach is entrenched in your throat on the ensuing natural water slide.More waves, seemingly endless water and paddling. Suddenly the water calms, your guide quiets as smiles and the sense of accomplishment abound. You share a paddle high-five with your crew, and look downstream, ready for more. Have fun..Go Rafting. Gauley Dates 2007Twenty-six miles, 668 foot drop in gradient, more than 100 rapids. Simply put, the Gauley River is world-class. Defined by big, steep and technical rapids the Gauley River is enveloped by rugged mountain scenery and divided into two equally impressive sections, the Upper and Lower Gauley. Songer Whitewater offers a wide variety of full-day and overnight Gauley River adventures including some of the most hair-raising high adventure trips commercially available. Are you ready to accept the challenge of the Gauley River? Feel the adrenaline-rush and sense of accomplishment of running one of the most famous rivers in the world. Reserve your Gauley River adventure today.