With Memorial Day weekend in the rearview and the summer solstice just a few weeks away, it's time to start thinking about your summer bucket list.
We must have been feeling brave when we were making this summer's list because we wrote down whitewater rafting. Coincidentally, some of the best whitewater rafting happens near the headwaters of the Penobscot River.
Three Rivers Whitewater Rafting has a Penobscot River Rafting Adventure which runs from their Penobscot Outpost in Millinocket. Once you get checked in, the team at Three Rivers will outfit you with helmets and lifejackets (wet suits and splash jackets are available to rent if you're nervous about the chilly water).
After a safety briefing and quick paddling practice, you'll push off from McKay Station and charge into Ripogenus Gorge. This trip is not for the faint of heart because it boasts a trip through Maine's best Class V rapids which include stretches named Exterminator, Troublemaker, and The Crib Works.
After a lunch and a trip over a waterfall (!) you'll continue over a long stretch of water perfect for a quick dip on a hot summer day. With Mount Katahdin looming in the distance, you'll wrap up the trip and hitch a ride back to the Penobscot Outpost to finish the day.
If whitewater rafting isn't your speed, check out the Penobscot River Paddling Trail - a 100 mile stretch of rivers designed for canoe camping.
Are you feeling brave enough to tackle class V rapids or is a gentle paddle more your speed? Either way, we hope to see you out there on the river this summer.