Monday on the Youghiogheny River

Sunday we checked into a Vrbo on the western shore of Deep Creek Lake. Monday morning we drove half an hour north to Friendsville, MD, to join a white-water rafting trip on the Youghiogheny River with Precision Rafting. On summer and fall Mondays and Fridays, and some Saturdays, they release enough water from the Deep Creek Lake dam to make class 3-5 rapids for 3.5 miles on the Upper Youghiogheny River. Most rafts have 3 people and an experienced guide, plus there are more in kayaks to scout ahead, to fish "swimmers" out of the drink, and to take photos. I never buy photos for stuff like this, but these were totally worth it to commemorate what was a really fun family experience. Admittedly, we wondered whether this would be safe with 2 senior citizens along, but the organization is really invested in participant safety, and we felt well taken care of.

These are alternating pictures between our two boats: me, Dear Husband, and my father with Robbie; my brother, his wife, and our mother with Keygan.

This was the very last stretch of river we rafted, looking back the way we came. It took all afternoon, because we had to wait for the water to flow downstream (we could paddle faster than the water flowed), so there were breaks to try some body surfing, jump off a rock, or otherwise rest and recover before the next push. Farther upstream was more scenic, with a winding river valley, lush greenery, blue sky, and fluffy white clouds that kept the strongest of the sun's rays from sunburning us.

We pulled out on the other side of the bridge from which I took this photo. Communication from the rafting company hadn't been very good (when to arrive, where to park, what not to bring); it turns out the "snacks" our fee included was pulled-pork sandwiches and hotdogs, but we had a pork roast in the slow cooker back at the cabin, so we drove home to eat and play games / do puzzle before jumping in the hot tub and going to bed.

Tuesday: target sports