Fri, May 9 2014 - Raft n Roll!!! (View Original Event Details)
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What a spectacular event in Columbus, GA! 28 AOC'ers met at FDR State Park for 2 days and 2 nights of camping, eating, bike riding and white water rafting on the Chatahoochee River in Columbus, GA. Our biking adventure and rafting adventure went very smoothly. Weather was never issue...the only time it rained on us was when we were in the water rafting, so that worked out perfectly!
We first set up camp at FDR park and enjoyed a nice fire on Friday night to get to know each other. A of of new faces were around, which is always nice to see. This is a primitive campground, so we were all responsible for our own food.
Saturday morning, we departed camp around 9:00 am and proceeded to downtown Columbus for our biking adventure. We gathered a few blocks from "Ride on Bikes" and waited for the handful who rented bikes to join us. From there, we all set out towards the Fall Line Trace. The Fall Line Trace is a fairly new path and is approximately 10 miles in length. Some of the group did the entire trail round-trip. Others did shorter distances.
We then all returned to town and locked up the bikes, then split off and ate lunch at the number of cool pubs and restaurants available in scenic downtown Columbus. Some of us walked around and explored the vendor and food booths at Riverfest, an annual festival held near the river to celebrate the opening of the Whitewater season.
Finally, at 5:00 pm, we gathered at Whitewater Express for our exciting guided tour of the Chattahoochee. Starting in mid-May, Whitewater Express leads guided tours, once down the Georgia side of the river and the other down the Alabama side of the river. The river flow is controlled by a dam...a release is done at 6:00 pm, so their rafting hours are later in the evening. A little different, but it allows for cooler weather and spectacular views. We rafted for nearly 3 hours! The last and final rapid is a mammoth-sized Class-5, the largest rapid south of the Canadian border and East of the Mississippi. It ain't no joke! Every other boat flipped at that rapid, as if it you dont hit it just perfectly, you will go over.
By the end of the day, everyone was sore and exhuasted from the biking and rafting. We all grabbed a quick meal, returned to FDR park, settled in by a fresh campfire, then headed off the bed for a good nights rest. Sunday morning, we all headed back home.
We will definitely do this trip again next year...so keep your eye out next Spring for the next Raft n Roll Adventure!
Check out the pictures at https://www.dropbox.com/sh/37k320zdyd04qc5/AAB1c0-aXJsb674ZfD7MSPq3a
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