2008 Asheville Visitor Guide - Any Way You Like It - (Page 20) active getaways Vacations are always more fun when you add water – and Asheville’s got plenty of places where you can make a splash. Kayak or canoe down the relatively calm French Broad River that flows through Asheville, or if you’re up to the challenge, raft the raging rapids of the Nantahala and Green rivers. If the kids are along, hit the swimming holes off the Swannanoa River Trail near Warren Wilson College, or go swimming, tubing or boating on Lake Lure. “It’s a good idea to cruise over to one of Asheville’s locally owned outdoor stores, like Black Dome or Diamond Brand, where you can get maps and gear and get advice on where to go,” Chuck Lee says. “I don’t recommend just jumping in because there are dangerous spots in all the rivers. Check with a local outfitter first because they know these rivers best.” trail mix Tighten your shoelaces, strap on your helmet and kick up your kickstand – biking around Asheville can’t be beat. Avid cyclists can splash through streams in the Bent Creek Experimental Forest (part of the Pigsah National Forest), zoom along the Blue Ridge Parkway or pedal the varied terrain of Dupont State Forest, just west of Asheville. With more than 2,000 trails for outdoor enthusiasts, it’s no wonder that Outside magazine named Asheville the Best Southern Town in America in 2007. rock on Sure, there’s a 26-story elevator inside of Chimney Rock – but why take the easy way up? For those craving an unforgettable, hands-on experience, a variety of guided climbs are offered throughout Chimney Rock Park, from the 15-minute “taster” to the eight-hour “multi-pitch guided climb,” where instructors lead advanced climbers from ledge to ledge, up to 300 feet high. Novices as young as 6 years old can learn rock-climbing basics from qualified guides at the park’s two-hour clinics, which are perfect for first-timers. chuck lee Outdoor enthusiast Chuck Lee is the publisher of Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine, a regional outdoor sports and travel publication. FOR MORE blueridgeoutdoors.com exploreasheville.com 20 http://www.exploreasheville.com/active-getaways/index.aspx http://www.exploreasheville.com/what-to-do/outdoor-adventures/bicycling-in-the-blue-ridge/index.aspx http://www.exploreasheville.com/what-to-do/outdoor-adventures/water-activities/index.aspx http://www.exploreasheville.com/what-to-do/outdoor-adventures/bicycling-in-the-blue-ridge/index.aspx http://www.exploreasheville.com/what-to-do/activity-details/index.aspx?guid=b1e88dbf-6ee5-4bd2-aab3-b766099e660c http://www.exploreasheville.com/what-to-do/activity-details/index.aspx?guid=b1e88dbf-6ee5-4bd2-aab3-b766099e660c http://blueridgeoutdoors.com http://exploreasheville.com
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