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Tubing the Gunpowder by Wendy Hartzler

Got a plan to beat the summer heat? A good friend of mine had a great idea; he thought the air 14,000 feet up would be much cooler than the ground on a hot humid August day. So he and three of his close friends chartered a plane to take them high above the trees, the buildings, the rest of humanity and life as we know it, to do something crazy — jump out of that plane and head for earth at a refreshing speed of 120 mph, just him and his trusty chute. I, on the other hand, will trade that thrill for ones closer to mother earth. In the spirit of full disclosure, I should mention that first time skydivers are accompanied by an experienced, certified instructor in a tandem jump. So, although the experience may be life changing, it is not truly life threatening. Should you decide to give it a try, be sure to check that the company you choose is USPA certified.

In my search for relief from the dog days of summer, I’ve found that the ‘simpler’ pleasures can be as rewarding as I can only imagine those of the Wright Brothers type. In Harper’s Ferry West Virginia, River Riders Canopy Tour is not quite so far above terra firma but still heartstopping exciting. If you’re trying to escape not only the heat but also the stress of work, or whatever else ails, then this is the way to go. Concentration is a must on this trip. The only thing keeping you safe, a mere thirty feet off

the ground, is your harness, the two grips that attach you to the overhead cable, and the professionalism of your guides. Safety is a prime concern and the guides continuously double and triple check security. In fact, owner Matt Knott consulted with West Virginia in establishing the state’s regulations for the use of zip lines. But that doesn’t lessen your fear when the floor beneath your feet disappears and you begin sailing into the trees, with no way out. It’s as though you are soaring weightless like a bird, so quiet, gliding platform to platform. Only you and the rush of the river. At last, there’s the next platform. It looks like the Berenstain Bears’ tree house. Ahhh, back to safety — relatively speaking. In between these “hops” from tree to tree, you experience ladders and rope walks that will keep you on your toes, or soles. They seem to go on forever. And then, the feeling of accomplishment as you realize you’ve made it one more step of the way. The zip line trip lasts about

three hours but it will be three hours that you will always remember.

Still wanting to stay a little closer to the ground, River Riders also offers white water rafting and tubing. Not for the faint of heart, the rafting trip is again a combination of daredevil antics and appreciation of nature. But this time, you are completely at the mercy of nature, save for the expertise of your trusty guide. After the requisite short video detailing all the important safety precautions necessary to scare you into submitting to the rules, the shuttle bus arrives to transport everyone to the launch site. All decked out in life vests and helmets, paddles in hand, our group heads out onto the river for three fun filled hours. For the first couple of miles we float gently downstream. Geese and ducks are alongside us. There is an occasional blue heron or crane and eagles fly high overhead. We are one with nature and life is good. Then the pace begins to pick up. Water starts to run a little swifter, there are ripples

and rocks, and our craft picks up speed. We are told to make sure we have a good foothold. Uh-oh!

The folks in the front get the brunt of the water so, if you’re looking to cool off , that’s a good option. The folks in the middle have a tougher time staying inside the raft when the going gets tough. So, if you really want to cool off , then that’s the spot for you. And the guide controls all from the back, acting as rudder. So, be nice to your guide.

At the first rapids we encounter, a level 1, we’re thinking this is pretty much fun and not so scary. As we reach rapids number two, we are at a level 3, a little scarier and we all get soaked. It’s all good though, because we realize this is not as frightening as we thought it would be. No one has fallen overboard, yet.

We are about halfway through the course and it’s time for a break. We come ashore, get refreshed, do a little swimming, and then it’s back to the rafts. By this time, we’re all old hands at this so we are ready to tackle the next set of rapids. We decide to “go surfing”. This means that, after we navigate the drop, we turn around and head back upstream through the same hydraulic. Water is flooding the raft and we are staying afloat! This is nerve-wracking but a great way to beat the heat.

When it’s all over we’re shaken but ready to go again. Smiles all around. More rapids, more paddling, more water, more fun. The trip is over all too soon and we are back on shore. But there’s another treat awaiting the now experienced rafters: making the long uphill climb back to the shuttle, we stop by a 20 foot long waterfall complete with a waist high pool of mountain spring water. Ahhhh. The perfect, cool way to end a fun morning.

For beating the heat, you can’t do better than submersion in cool water. Around here, we have so many choices. There’s the Gunpowder River that seems to show up everywhere. Then there are all of its tributaries like Deer Creek and Big Falls. The Susquehanna River is also a good choice. Any of these offer a multitude of shady respites with cool, flowing water. Canoes, kayaks and inner tubes are

a fabulous way to navigate. You can also choose to just don your swimsuit, spread out a towel and head for the water, al fresco. There is white water tubing for an exhilarating experience on par with white water rafting. But for less challenge and a laid back take it easy time, try flat water tubing. No adrenaline rush there.

Jim and Dan at Monkton Bike in Monkton, Maryland have been renting tubes for 19 years and are experts at helping people around here beat the heat, on even the hottest of days. After a quick shuttle bus ride from Monkton Village to the launch point, you are on your own for about three hours to navigate the wonders of the Gunpowder River. Lean back and just let the current take you wherever. No guides, no life vests, no worries. This is a lazy river kind of ride. Little rapids are just enough to keep the water moving and sun filters through the trees, giving a soft reflection. It’s like seeing the world through rose colored glasses.

Your biggest challenge may be deciding whether to stay in the tube with just your bottom in the water or get out and submerge your whole body. Stop and pick raspberries along the shore or maybe catch a glimpse of a wild mink as it scampers along keeping a watchful eye on you. This is the life.

Whether you’re a daredevil or the cautious type, there is choice for a cool way to handle the summer heat. Sure, you can stay in the AC or go to a water park. Or……dare to try something new.

by Wendy Hartzler

Wendy’s recommendations for nearby adventures:

Skydiving:

Baltimore Skydiving

1-800-260-5653; www.baltimoreskydiving.com

Zip Line:

River Riders, Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia

1-800-326-7238; www.harpersferryzipline.com

White Water Rafting:

River Riders, Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia

1-800-326-7238; www.riverriders.com

Tubing: