I have a confession to make—I’ve been having a love affair with whitewater since I was 16 years old, and not just in the New River Gorge.  That’s (gulp) 41 years!  I started on the Youghiogheny River in PA and moved to the New and Gauley River in West Virginia when my babies were 1 and 3 years old.

As with all affairs of the heart, there are stages and degrees of love.  I’ve watched many people fall under the spell of a whitewater river over and over, though, and it always starts the same way.

New River Gorge West Virginia

Here are the top 10 sordid details and excuses most girls will find to take them to the river and (maybe) never leave:

10.  If you are a raft guide—you don’t have to get a real job.

9.  You can hang out with your friends and meet the cute raft guides.

8.  If you started rafting during those college years, the New River has big water thrills (even if you go with your family).

7.  No phone, fax, or email.  Just you and the water.

6.   Crashing waves, giant holes, surfing, flipping- everything a girl could want.

5.  Rush hour is very wet.  No stop lights, taxis or honking horns, but there are a few buses.

4. Two words: Wild. Life.  I mean, um, wildlife.  One word.  (Sorry, started thinking about my guiding days).

3. Did I mention the cute guides?

2. There’s nothing as empowering as conquering a challenge and sharing that experience with your friends.

1.  It gets in you.  The river is a lover that captures your heart and soul and never lets go.  The feel of moving water, the unsurpassed beauty, they stay with you all your life.

I’m living proof.  It’s been 41 years, and I’m still in love with the river.