Sunday we went to the Ocoee Gorge in Tennessee where the 1996 Summer Olympics had their rapids competition.  Being a big holiday weekend, there would be plenty of action to see all day.

We had just arrived, were walking along the river to the bridge for a better view of the action, and the alarms sounded  followed immediately by the water rising announcement.  Damn #3 had been opened allowing more water and faster rapids for the rafters.  Swimming was not allowed at all Sunday and upon warning alerts, rafters docked along the sides on the rocks until the sudden flush of rising water stabilized. 

 On a busy day like Sunday, spotters or lifeguards stage on rocks watching for capsized rafts to throw them a lifeline.

There are at least a dozen rafting sites along the river where you can travel with a guide and a group according to your level. 

 black bear caution sign before you walk one of the trails

 too hot mid-day Sunday to begin the walk

You need to begin early in the day this time of year.

 You will not see us in any of these rafts!

Ranger station, cafe, snack bar, patio.

 When the river is full of rafters, they stage in the calmer waters then release a couple at a time to allow safe space between rafts.

 

If we can get the rest of the family together out here, maybe next summer, they can raft together and I'll stay on land and snap photos.

 The time Cliff and I went tubing with friends on the Toccoa, we hit every boulder and rock in the river for 2 hours.  Of course the guides know how to avoid them.  Rapids were wild Sunday and the river was full of rafters. 

Back home, Cliff and Mark shucked fresh-picked Tennessee corn.  We grilled tuna steaks and had corn and garden summer squash, wine, and blueberry pie and ice-cream.