Into the Falls

By Tresha Render 

"This next rapid is what you came here for, folks. The Seven Foot Falls! Class-five rapid! Pay attention to my commands," the raft guide announced. I clutched my paddle and strained to hear him over the pouring rain and the constant swoosh of the impending falls. What had I gotten myself into? 

A few months earlier, my husband, an Army veteran, convinced me to go on this Chattooga River whitewater rafting trip with the Sierra Club. So far I had been pleasantly surprised by the campgrounds where we were staying, and more importantly the people we had met. 

Chattooga Sounds Campground where we stayed was owned and operated by a jovial couple. The spacious, pet-friendly grounds featured clean bathrooms with showers. There was also a ropes course and an ax/spear throwing area where we all took turns trying to impress each other. Best of all, the food the owners prepared for us every morning and evening was delicious. Their baked beans and potato salad alone made the trip worth it.

Meeting interesting people from all over the country was also a bonus. We met former service members from the Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy who had served during various times of peace and conflict. We also met a mother and her teenage daughter enjoying a road trip. A father and son (and their adorable dog Blue) had driven down together from the East Coast. There were couples and several solo adventurers who were able to connect with like-minded people. Cozy campfires, good wine, and thoughtful conversation filled the campsite every evening.

The river we had all traveled here to brave had been the setting of the film Deliverance, starring Burt Reynolds. Inspired by the film, dozens of foolhardy rafting enthusiasts tried to brave these rapids on their own during the 1970s. Some paid for their naivety in lost teeth and broken bones, and others with their very lives. 

And now our raft faced the Infamous Seven Foot Falls—on the hairiest section of the Chattooga, on a raft, on a rainy day with the water levels the highest they had been all year, rushing toward a rocky drop. My stomach had already dropped to my toes. I reminded myself that it was okay to be scared. I just needed to be a little braver than I was fearful. 

You can check out the photos to see how well my approach worked. 

In the end, I remain grateful for this pulse-racing outdoor experience with our country's deserving military veterans. Thanks to the Sierra Club for sponsoring this trip, and special thanks to Lornett Vestal for coordinating the trip details. 

This article was written by Mrs. Tresha Render (Writer/Teacher/Military Spouse)