White water rafting is our favorite family activity. There are many guides and outfitters who can take you on an excursion that is between two hours for novices to several days for the truly adventurous. Our favorite route begins at Maupin, about 1 1/2 hours north of Eagle Crest. The river begins meandering slowly. Suddenly, around the bend you hear the rushing of the water. It's time to paddle furiously until you are through the class 2-4 rapids. Then it's time to kick back in the sunshine and float on down to the town of Maupin, where the local cafe has a wonderful barbeque waiting.
After lunch it's time to board the rafts again, though your lifejackets might have to be loosened a little since the food was so good. The canyons are studded with trees and interesting rock formations. There is so much to see, and the sun is warm. A wonderful way to spend the day. A photographer is perched on the cliffs above the last rapid. You can elect to buy a photo of the heart-stopping thrills of rapids with names like "box-car". What fun!