F8
The Impulsive Traveler
Catching a wave of thrills in Charlotte
by Andrea Sachs
Charlotte’s natural landscape, squig- gled with rivers and trails, gives adven- turists infinite excuses to stay outdoors. Yet trying to enjoy nature’s thrill rides may make you feel like a suburban mom, shuttling between multiple locations in a car brimming with athletic equipment. But an alternative looms on the outskirts of the North Carolina city: the U.S. Na- tional Whitewater Center, a multiplex of active pursuits that lets you play hard all day while the car stays in “park.” “To get what we offer — climbing, hik-
ing, mountain biking, paddling, white- water sports — all within 400 acres is al- most unheard of,” said the center’s exec- utive director, Jeff Wise. “We are bringing the outdoor lifestyle to a large urban area.” The main feature of the center, which opened in 2006, is a man-made white- water river with Class II to IV rapids. Year-round, guided rafts and kayakers, some with Olympic dreams, navigate the chop like aquatic rodeo riders. On the shores, climbers ascend faux granite walls, mountain bikers bomb down tricky trails, and 21st-century treasure hunters scour the grounds for hidden caches. Up high, guests zip by on lines stretching more than 1,100 feet, and down by the river, kayakers and canoers glide swanlike along the flat waters of the Catawba. For weekenders, the best deal is the $49 AllSport Pass, which allows access to all the activities and equipment (bikes, kayaks, helmets, etc.). Of course, with limited hours in the day, you need to be selective, or on steroids. On a re- cent Saturday, I chose three adventures, then asked the experts where I could pursue these same activities in the wilds of Charlotte — just in case I wanted to add marathon driving to my repertoire.
Whitewater rafting
The bi-channel man-made river cuts through the middle of the property, a wa- tery landscape of rock piles, eddies and big drops, including M Wave, modeled after the rapid of that name in Gunni- son, Colo. Come summer, the center cranks up the current to the max, switch- ing on all six pumps, which can fill an Olympic-size pool in 19 seconds. At the noon orientation, a bearded riv-
er rat ran through the safety guidelines that, to a veteran paddler, sounded very familiar. Man-made does not mean baby-proofed. The group was divided into four- and six-person rafts. My team consisted of a couple from Minneapolis, a gray-haired man whose family stayed on the banks and a guide-in-training with perfectly manicured fingers and toes. Our guide, Jacob “Rufio” Pilkerton, an unemployed commercial diver, started off easy, slid- ing us through rapids that felt like strong hiccups. Then we hit a seven-foot fall that reminded me of the power of gravity, and the Class III rapid, Biscuits and Gravy, which churned us like a stom- ach trying to break down said meal. A conveyor belt usually transports the
boats to the top, but since it was not yet operating, we hoisted the raft up the hill and dropped it at the starting point for our second ride. This time around, Rufio was out for mischief. Or maybe I was
IF YOU GO
Want to take a spur-of-the-moment trip to Charlotte for a little outdoor adventure? Here’s what you need to know for the weekend of April 16-18:
GETTING THERE
US Airways and AirTran offer nonstop service to Charlotte from BWI Marshall Airport, with fares starting at $216 round trip.
WHERE TO STAY
Crowne Plaza Hotel
201 S. McDowell St., 877-227-6963
www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/cp/1/en/hotel/ cltsm
The downtown hotel, less than 10 miles from the U.S. National Whitewater Center, is near a variety of sporting and cultural venues, such as the Bank of America Stadium (home of the Carolina Panthers). Rooms from $93 a night.
Dunhill Hotel
237 N. Tryon St., 704-332-4141
www.dunhillhotel.com
Open since 1929, the Historic Hotels of America property is a model of elegance, with flat-screen TVs and Internet access. Rooms from $109.
ANDREA SACHS/THE WASHINGTON POST
A man-made whitewater river is the main attraction, but the U.S. National Whitewater Center offers plenty more to do.
Mount Holly
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U.S. National Whitewater Center
85
Belmont
0 MILES
Charlotte Douglass Int’l Airport
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LARIS KARKLIS/THE WASHINGTON POST
foolish for agreeing to sit in the front. Af- ter roller-coastering down a large rapid, he repositioned the boat in an eddy and returned to the wave, sticking the raft’s nose in the hole. Crouched down with my paddle held high, I watched the wave crest over my head, drenching my entire body. Once we were sufficiently soaked, Rufio freed us from the mini-waterfall. He was dry and smiling. The on-water sessions last for an hour, and we were able to squeeze in one more run. By the time we crawled onto land, we were soggy and flushed from the rush, the standard look among hardened whitewater rafters.
Rafting near Charlotte: Chattooga
River, Ocoee River, Nantahala River.
Eco-trekking
Based on geocaching, techie scavenger hunts held outdoors, this activity in- volves reading a Global Positioning Sys- tem device to unearth brass tags, survey- or markers and ammo boxes filled with wildlife-themed lessons and trinkets. When I picked up my navigation system, the young woman manning the desk warned me that the game was made for children. Then she handed me a white sheet of paper to cover with stamps stashed in the receptacles. Too bad the gadget didn’t come with a kid: I could have used one to snoop under rocks and in bushes. Following the arrow east, I was sty-
mied by the river. Quick thinking led me over a bridge and down to the edge of an island, where I found my first box tucked between two rocks. I stamped my paper with the word “deer,” then moved on to the next clue. This one was a bit tougher to find: I had to hike up an uncleared hill, through woods, then down to the other side of the island, where I noticed a box sticking out from behind a boulder. Its contents included a book on alliga- tors and crocodiles, which informed me that baby caimans make poor pets. Stamp and go. During my wanderings, I noticed a family walking in the same manner as I was: Stare at a yellow device while forg- ing straight ahead, look at palm again, alter direction, repeat. After finding the “pheasant” box, I gave the family a little finger-pointing help, then joined them for the next cache, “bacteria,” which sat under a tree trunk. After reading about giardia, I started to wonder whether I’d swallowed any river water. Coincidentally, for my last search, the arrow directed me back toward the rent- al building. I saw that I was 8, 7, 6, 5, 4 steps away from my prize, but I couldn’t find it. I climbed up a hill and looked from that vantage point. No luck. At the desk, I asked where I’d gone wrong. “Sometimes people steal them,” said the staffer, Christen. “I don’t know why, be- cause they are just ammo boxes, and they can buy them at the store.” I looked
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Charlotte
Downtown
IND. OHIO
at my incomplete sheet and wondered what I was missing.
W.VA.
Charlotte
485
GA. S.C.
N.C.
VA.
21
D.C.
77 85
Geocaching in Charlotte: See Bux-
ley’s Geocaching Waypoint (www.brillig. com/geocaching/charlotte.shtml) or the Greater Charlotte Geocaching Club (www.charlottegeocaching.com) for maps and events.
Mountain biking
Fourteen miles of mountain bike trails lace through silent woods and along placid bodies of water. The routes are marked green (novice), blue (intermedi- ate) and black (advanced), but the green ones are more like aquamarine. “Our mountain bike trails are known for be- ing tight, technical single-tracks,” said Wise. “They are green only relative to the blues and blacks.” Gripping a fat-tired Giant, I pedaled across the parking lot to a trail head des- ignated by two green flags. I didn’t have to bike long to meet my first challenge, a steep rise with a bump near the top for that extra adrenaline pump. My energy waned at the wrong moment, and I top- pled off my bike like Humpty Dumpy. Trail, you’ve earned my respect. I coasted past electric towers, then en- tered a shaded lowland. Around the tight bends, I intuitively pulled in my legs to avoid skinning a knee on a tree. At the lake, the trail turned bunny-run easy, with a wider girth and a ground blanket of soft pine needles. However, with a 35-foot elevation gain, I knew that the trail would rise again. Little pink flags acted as bread crumbs, so I never had to worry about getting lost. Without that concern, I could focus on streaming down a hill lined with thick veiny roots. My knuckles started to ache and when I looked down to check their state, Humpty went down again. The three-mile loop dumped me by the towers, and on my way back to the center, I noticed a sign for an intermedi- ate trail. My bike wisely ignored it.
Mountain biking in Charlotte: Du-
Pont State Forest, Beech Spring Moun- tain Bike Park, Pisgah National Forest.
sachsa@washpost.com
Inns, Lodges & Villas
FLORIDA
DISNEY AREAWW FROM $84/NIGHT!
2,3&4BR beautifully furnished condos. CATV/DVD, heated pool/spa. 800-895-6250 or 800-596-5117
www.suncountryvillas.com
MAINE
Bar Harbor/Ellsworth/Acadia Natl. Park
Stunning 4-bed lakefront summer home!
Fully equipped. See Parksidevacationrentals.com
(Heron House) or call 804-472-5681.
MARYLAND
ComeVacation with Us!
Deep Creek Lake,MD
Long & Foster Resort Rentals
White water rafting, fly fishing, hiking
and more. Ask about our Spring Specials! Pet friendly.
800.336.7303
www.DeepCreekResort.com
Chesapeake BayWaterfront
St. Michaels,MD Harbourtowne Resort
Romantic getaways w/waterfront room overlooking Chesa- peake Bay. Pete Dye Golf Course, Pool,Tennis, Free WiFi.
Great packages! 800-227-1587 www.Harbourtowne.com
Home delivery makes good sense.
1-800-753-POST
MARYLAND
FIVE GABLES INN & SPA
ST. MICHAELS,MD
Spring Packages!
Check website for last-minute specials!
1-877-466-0100 www.fivegables.com
Ocean City,MD Paradise Plaza Inn
9th Street & Oceanfront - EXCELLENT BOARDWALK LOCATION. Oceanview Rooms, Suites with Upscale Amenities - Dairy Queen - Sunsations. Book nowand save. SUMMER SIZZLER from $189.95 per night + tax. Room with balcony & partial view. Subject to availability. Valid thru 8/31/10. Check online for hot deals & specials.
www.paradiseplazainn.com
1-888-678-0544
OXFORDWATERFRONT
Exquisite! Upper end, 3 BRs, 3 BAs. Fireplace. Pool, tennis court & dock. Availability weekly,
weekends & holidays. 410-745-5255
NEWYORK
info or brochure call 800-724-3136 or visit
www.riversidetowerhotel.com
Singles $124. Suites $139-$159
Lincoln Center area, Hudson River views, 18 floors, kitchenette. 5 minutes to Mid- town, safe, quiet, luxury area. RIVERSIDE TOWER, Riverside & 80th St. For more
RIVERSIDETOWER HOTEL
$129 for 2 persons
Home delivery makes good sense.
1-800-753-POST
SF
SF
PENNSYLVANIA
MURDER MYSTERY WEEKEND!
Deadly Dining, Musical Mayhem, Perilous Party, 2 nites all inclusive 18th century estate. Allenberry Resort Inn
& Playhouse www.allenberry.com 800-430-5468
SOUTH CAROLINA
Hilton Head Island www.hhisland.info
Plan a getaway with Seashore Vacations. Our beach is free. Specials available for golf, tennis, dining & more. There's shopping galore. Visit our site or call: 1-800-845-0077
N. MYRTLE BEACH
1,2 & 3BR oceanfront & ocean view condos, hi-spd internet, indoor & outdr pools, Jacuzzis, tennis, golf pkgs, beach club,
more! Day/wk/mo. 1-800-345-5617 www.oceancreek.net
VIRGINIA
FUNNY FARM INN Open All Yr & Holidays!
75-acre horse farm. Lovely accomm. Breakfast, fpls., hiking. Kids/pets ok. 1.25 hrs DC. Spec. pkgs.
540-547-3481www.bbonline.com/va/funnyfarm
MIMSLYN INN SHENANDOAH VALLEY May Dinner &
Room Pkg. for Two $149
Midwk Spring Fling $89. Space limited.
800-296-5105 www.mimslyninn.com
NORTH CAROLINA VIRGINIA
SHENANDOAH RIVER LOG CABINS
Spring Getaway - Luray!
Hot tubs. TV. Canoe rentals.
www.shenandoahriver.com 1-800-622-6632
Explore the trails. Discover the beauty. Enjoy the lodging and dining experience. Located inside Shenandoah National Park. Mile 41.7 on Skyline Drive. Book at
http://www.visitshenandoah.com/washingtonpost.
Skyland Resort is managed by ARAMARK,
SKYLAND RESORT
Spring is in the Air! Special $99
online weekday B&B package rate*.
an authorized concessioner of the National Park Service.
WINTERGREEN a year-round escape!
Houses & condos. Daily, weekly & monthly. Great Rates! Activities for ALL ages!
1-888-788-0731 www.blueridgegetaways.com
WESTVIRGINIA
BAVARIAN INN
Historic Shepherdstown, WV... only 1hr from D.C.
SEAFOOD FESTIVAL
Special dishes prepared by our Master Chef all thru April! AAA Four Diamond Inn... just 10 minutes from Charlestown Races and Slots. Stay in a King Luxury Room for $99/night. Promo valid week nights only.
Announcing our 2nd ANNUAL
Call 304-876-2551 or view menu at
www.bavarianinnwv.com
Promo code: SPRING. Subject to availability
"West Virginia Wild &Wonderful"
SMOKE HOLE RIVERSIDE LOG CABINS
Just 2½ hours from DC-Seneca Rocks. Honeymoon & family log cabins. Jacuzzi, fpl., full kitchen. Great hiking!
Weekday special. www.smokehole.com 800-828-8478
WESTVIRGINIA
THEWOODS
Spring Getaway Package:
Stay 2 nts, get 3rd night FREE! (4/1/10-5/27/10). Walden or Evergreen Lodges. Consecutive nts. only, no holidays/holiday wknds). TheWoods is located 90 mi. from DC. Spa,Golf, Swimming, Dining, more!
www.TheWoods.com or 888-699-2221
CARIBBEAN
BARBADOS OCEANFRONT VILLA
On Bluff...Overlooking Ocean!
4 bedrooms, 4 baths, a/c, 2 pools and private stairs to beach! Owner: 703-858-0857
ST.MAARTEN www.beachsidevillas.com
OCEANEDGE, upscale 1, 2, 3 BR
A/C Villas. Fully Equipped Kitchen, BBQ. Daily housekeeping, free WI-FI cable TV. Perfect vacation all year!
Call Owner Yolanda 313-884-7706
ST. JOHN Condos at Grande Bay
www.CruzBayUSVI.com
unspoiledislands@yahoo.com 301-527-8257
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Fabulous Beachfront Villa
Professional Staff, Gated Community, 8 BR, 9.5 BA, Pool, private, upscale. 703-759-0748 www.sunrise-villa.com discount for Post Readers
Home delivery makes good sense.
1-800-753-POST
COSTA RICA
CASA LUMENEZ Pacific Coast LUXURY
5BR dream villa with breathtaking ocean views. Perfect for year-round luxury stays. Ideal for privacy seekers yet near beach, restaurants & more!www.casalumenez.com
ITALY
ITALY RENTALS 202-333-6247
Quality villas, farmhouses & apts. Also Rome, Florence, Venice apts. Personalized service from Italy specialists. Free catalogs. ITALIANVACATION VILLAS www.villasitalia.com
TIMESHARE
TIMESHARE RESALES
Save 60-80% off Retail! Worldwide Locations! Call for Free Magazine!
1-800-770-0453 www.holidaygroup.com/wp
Inns, Lodges
& Villas
A year-round
advertising marketplace!
202-334-7003
1-800-627-1150
boucharda@washpost.com
Home delivery is convenient.
1-800-753-POST
SF SF
WHERE TO EAT
River’s Edge Bar and Grill
U.S. National Whitewater Center 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy., 704-391-3900
www.usnwc.org
Overlooks the whitewater river and features such apres-exercise fare as Southern fried pickles ($6.49), Class V chips ($9.95), trout BLT ($10.99) and spinach and artichoke melt ($8.99).
Enso Asian Bistro and Sushi
210 E. Trade St., 704-716-3676
www.ensocharlotte.com
Dine out with Charlotte scenesters and Asian flavors including dim sum (from $7), yakitori skewers (from $9) and such noodle dishes as pad thai ($16) and seafood lo mein ($18).
WHAT TO DO
U.S. National Whitewater Center
A host of outdoor adventures under one “roof”: mountain biking, whitewater rafting, flatwater kayaking, canoeing, eco-trekking, zip lines, hiking, adventure course and climbing. Variety of passes available, such as the AllSport Pass ($49, unlimited access for the day) and the CoolSport Pass ($29, access to all activities but rafting). Use of equipment included, but a locker key costs $2 per use. Parking costs $5.
INFORMATION
Visit Charlotte
703-845-5922 or 800-231-4636
www.charlottesgotalot.com
— A.S.
All flight and lodging information valid as of press time Thursday.
More Travel this week
FRIDAY
Escapes winds its way to Lancaster County, Pa., for a pretzel bakery
tour, in Weekend.
NEXT SUNDAY
The Impulsive Traveler scopes
out a revitalizing neighborhood along Boston’s harbor, in Travel.
KLMNO
SUNDAY, APRIL 11, 2010
Wake up to home delivery. 1-800-753-POST washingtonpost.com/subscribe
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