A DAY AWAY 1 White-Water Rafting Adventure Strengthens Family Ties By Megan R. Weeden wetsuits (much needed, as it the campfire swapping stories “All forward! Go forward! was still early June and a bit and jokes and listening to the For ward! Left back! Left back!” chilly) and put our belongings loons. Lori and Kourtney stay Professional River Runners’ (sleeping bag, dry clothes, up late whispering in their tent guide Julie Curry is bellowing etc.) into dry bags, which by flashlight. from the back of the raft as we would be brought to the is- Refreshed from a great head toward a Class III rapid land where we would camp. night’s sleep in the outdoors, on Maine’s Ken nebec River. We pile into a shuttle bus for we wake the following morn- “Great job guys! We hit it right an hour-long trek along an ac- ing to a full, hearty breakfast of in the middle!” tive logging route. blueberry pancakes, home The river is running strong We begin our adventure at fries, sausage, and hot coffee. from recent heavy rains, but Professional River Runners offers various whitewater rafting East Outlet — a short Class II- Later, the motorboat tows the sun is out and all 10 of us trips on the Kennebec River in Maine from April to October. III section of whitewater origi- us across the rest of the lake are smiling from the adrena- calmer water and are able to have fun together. “Time and nating out of Moosehead to the dam on the Kennebec line rush we just experienced. jump out for a quick swim. time again I see how having Lake. Half of us are in a small River. Leaving the small boat “That was so cool!” cries 11- It is the second day of our the chance to be out in the raft with our guide Julie and and kayaks behind, we walk year-old Tony Petrauski. two-day wilderness camping wil derness and having fun re- the other half are in inflatable down the hill and embark on The first rapid, called Taster, trip with the Professional River ally brings families closer to- kayaks. At the middle of this a larger raft for a day of large was just the beginning of a Runners, a family-owned gether,” he said. “They really stretch of rapids, we stop and Class III, IV and V whitewater heart-stopping several-mile whitewater rafting company like the idea of being out in switch boats. The inflatable rafting. series that intensifies in based in West Forks, Maine. the wilderness and they find kayaks fly down the river — “Great job guys!” calls Julie strength until we are dropped Ed Beauchamp, who out not only how special it is hitting wonderful Class III after we’re safely on the other over Magic Falls — a Class IV started Professional Rivers and how you have to take care rapids. At the end of this bit of side of White Washer. “You all rapid. We are far from the end Run ners in 1990, said rafting of it — but that it can be fun whitewater, we pull off shore followed my number one rule our trip, but have reached gives families a chance to too. Plus, they meet other for a cold-cut lunch and a dip of staying in my boat!” people and sometimes be- in Swimmer’s Hole. We stop along the river un- Professional River Runners, a AAA Show Your Card & Save come friends for life.” “That was so much fun!” derneath a waterfall and enjoy partner, offers family whitewater rafting trips, family camping My husband and I are says Tony, with a huge smile. a snack. The lower half of the trips, and canoeing and kayaking on the Kennebec, Penob- rough ing it with the Petrauski “I want to do that again!” Kennebec River widens out scot and Dead Rivers from April to October for ages 8 to 80. family from Minnesota, and Pro’s motorboat tows us and is perfect for water fight- It also offers whitewater rafting in New York on the Hudson the Franko family from Mon- across the lake to the camp- ing and joke telling. Julie and Moose Rivers. AAA members receive a 10-percent dis- mouth, Maine. The nine of us site on a wilderness island. points out a bald eagle and count by mentioning AAA at the time of their reservation. arrived at base at 8:30 a.m. the Our tents and sleeping pads the osprey nests along the day before. We slipped into full are set up, our personal gear river. She tells us some stories has been delivered, and a of the river’s logging days. campfire is roaring. Once on We arrive back at base the island, Tony and Zach camp a few hours later, Fran ko, who is 15, go off and change into dry clothes, and fish from shore while Lori Pe- enjoy a hearty chicken, steak, trauski and Kourtney Franko, and salmon BBQ lunch. Our both 13, swim until they are trip ends with a slide show wrinkled. and video of the group rafting Later that evening, a full- the big rapids that morning. course lobster dinner is Kourtney and Lori ex change cooked over an open fire and addresses and promise to dinner concludes with hand- keep in touch. cranked ice cream and straw- “That was so much fun,” berry shortcake. Tony says again. “I loved every- We spend the night around thing we did.”