| Adventure Abounds at Wisp Resort |
By: By Barbara Littner David - August 2008
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Posted: Thursday, July 31, 2008 1:53 pm
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The raft teetered. Boulders surrounded us and raging waves raced below. “Paddle forward,” our guide, Tom, commanded. We did and crashed over the waterfall. Waves splashed and drenched us. I screamed. And laughed. And loved it.
We were enjoying the world’s only mountain-top whitewater course. The man-made course is one of many exciting offerings available at the Adventure Sports Center International located near the Wisp Four Season Resort in McHenry, Md., a six-hour drive from Cincinnati.
Tom gave us paddling instructions and cautionary words, which we practiced in the pond before steering to a conveyer belt. Like the first hill of a roller coaster, the conveyer built anticipation before dropping us into a current that swirled us backward until we paddled hard forward.
Throughout our two hour adventure we did our best to back-paddle out of eddies, avoid bumps and stay in the boat while we watched more adventurous rafters taking chances, tipping and surfing — riding the top of waves. While the course takes rafters in a circle, the experience changes with every lap.
Another Wisp thrill that’s fun for all ages is the Mountain Coaster. We bought our tickets at the ski lodge and listened to brief instructions as we took our seats. It’s one adult per car, but kids can ride together or with a parent. A chain drive pulls the car up the mountain. And up. And up. And then up higher still.
From the top, an attendant signals riders to release the brake, and the car circles down the track, picking up speed as it whizzes through straight-a-ways and speeds around corkscrews. Lights flash green or yellow to warn about braking, and attendants watch the track from booths until riders reach the bottom of the mountain.
Much slower and relaxing, the ski lift flew us above towering pines where we caught another view of the coaster. We saw families playing Frisbee golf and mountain bikers bounding across narrow bridges, zigzagging among boulders and trees and zipping up ramps soaring airborne to the next one. And of course, we saw the beauty of the mountain and the deep blue of Deep Creek Lake.
We enjoyed more beautiful sites at Swallow Falls State Park. Stroller-friendly hiking trails led to lovely views of trees and wildflowers, spectacular rock formations and breathtaking waterfalls. From a boardwalk we could view the waterfall and sparkling pond, but we needed to navigate trickier trails to reach the falls and scenic outlooks with views of other streams and still more waterfalls.
Hiking’s not the only way to navigate nature. Wisp resort also offers dune buggy rides. We followed a guide, driving up mountain trails, splashing in mud puddles and dodging trees.
The resort’s comfortable rooms are perfect for families of all sizes. Our room slept seven and included a handy fridge and two TVs. Generally filled to capacity during the ski season, the four-season resort has openings and exciting offerings during the rest of the year, including golf, fly fishing, kayak tours and more.
Chilly temperatures are common on the mountain, so pack warmly, and rent a wet suit if you plan to go rafting.
Barbara Littner David is a freelance writer.
Wisp Resort
296 Marsh Hill Road
McHenry, MD 21541
301-387-4911
wispresort.com
Adventure Sports Center International
250 Adventure Sports Way
McHenry, MD 21541
877-300-ASCI
adventuresportscenter.com
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