Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Kayaking & Canoeing
Paddlers will find their bliss in the eastern USA. Rentals and instruction are yours for the
asking. Kayaking hot spots include Wisconsin's Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, for
gliding through arches and sea caves on Lake Superior; Michigan's Pictured Rocks Na-
tional Lakeshore, to paddle by wildly colored cliffs on Lake Superior; and Maine's Pen-
obscot Bay, to poke around the briny waters and spruce-fringed islets.
Canoeing is downright legendary here, including the 12,000 miles of wet and wild
routes in Minnesota's Boundary Waters and Alabama's Bartram Canoe Trail, with
300,000 acres of marshy delta bayous, lakes and rivers.
Resources
American Canoe Association
(
www.americancanoe.org
) Has a water trails database for
canoeing and kayaking, as well as information on local paddling clubs and courses.
White-Water Rafting
East of the Mississippi, West Virginia has an arsenal of famous white water. First, there's
the New River Gorge National River, which, despite its name, is one of the oldest rivers
in the world. Slicing from North Carolina into West Virginia, it cuts a deep gorge, known
as the Grand Canyon of the East, producing frothy rapids in its wake.
Then there's the Gauley, arguably among the world's finest white water. Revered for
its ultra-steep and turbulent chutes, the venerable Appalachian river is a watery roller
coaster, dropping more than 668ft and churning up 100-plus rapids in a mere 28 miles.
Six more rivers, all in the same neighborhood, offer training grounds for less-experien-
ced river rats.
Resources
American Whitewater
(
www.americanwhitewater.org
)
Works to preserve America's wild
rivers; has links to local rafting clubs.
Surfing
The Atlantic states harbor some terrific and unexpected surfing spots - especially if
you're after more moderate swells. The warmest waters are off Florida's Gulf Coast. Top
spots to hang 10:
