Last Saturday, July 8th 2006, our little ragtag group of outdoor nuts headed out to expose the deep dark secrets of the famed gorge from Deliverance. Here we were trusting our lives to Jim, our guide for the day, to 'deliver' us from the hell and torment of such locales as The Gulch, Sodomy Beach, Corkscrew, Five Falls, and Sock Em Dog.
The drive that was set to take 4 1/2 hours from Augusta GA to Clayton GA through South Carolina, only took 2 1/2 hours. Despite the slow traffic detours through Anderson and Clemson. The extra time gave us a chance to go play in Helen for a bit. There is nothing like eating prime rib and fried clams while watching a one-legged man float by on a inner tube.
After setting up camp at Tallulah River Campground at a beautiful bend in the river, we sat down to the damp wood crackling under a newly lit fire. Around our campsite danced the lights of fireflies and the playful echos of children.
The trip itself was incredible, we passed by countless quality photo shots. The morning light barely filtering into the gorge, it's softness playing off of the rock faces and fast moving water. Along the way our guide, Jim, made sure to point out all of the major scenic points, 'sodomy beach' 'deliverance rock' 'rabun clifs' etc.. etc.. that were scattered here and there between the major rapids that had been run enough times by others to garner their own names, and their own places in the history books.
I am not sure what to say about the whole experience, I can't think of good collection of adjectives and nouns that could aptly describe the fun that we had in such a short time. However, to those of the Chattooga river crew... you know exactly how it was... and how much fun we had!! Here is a toast to you, I hope that all your rapids are big, your company great, and your trips memorable!!
