Summer is almost here and outdoor thrills await, so make the most of this weekend rafting on the Dead River in Maine, conquering a mountain in Asheville, or peeping the wakeboard pros in Texas. If you’d rather just relax, kick back with some flicks at a film festival in NorCal.
By Nate Storey and Matt Skenazy
River Rafting, May 30
Dead River, Maine
If you’re into continuous whitewater and class-V rapids then head to Maine’s Dead River this weekend for one of only ten high water releases each year. The river starts slow with some warm up class III and IV rapids but finishes after 15 miles of continuous rapids with a splash at Poplar Hill Falls. The wilderness around you will be breathtaking, if you can let go of your adrenaline-fueled death-grip on your paddle long enough to take a look. You’ll get a snack on the river, but save room, because afterwards The Forks Resort Center will host a pig roast, brewery tour, and beer tasting. Not bad for one day. Dead River rafting is $69 per person.
Travel and Accommodations
Either camp or stay in the cabins at The Forks Resort, rooms start at $126. Exit 133 off I-95. Take Route 201 north, through Skowhegan and Bingham. The Lakeside Resort Center is 15 miles north of Bingham on Route 201. Northern Outdoors Forks Resort Center is 3 miles further north on Route 201.
Mendocino Film Festival, May 29-31
Mendocino, CA
If you’re looking for something a little more relaxing, head to Mendocino, on the shores of beautiful Northern California for the fourth annual Mendocino Film Festival. Founded by Sydney Pollack, this festival strives to reflect the simple, outdoor-oriented Mendocino Lifestyle. Unlike many festivals, here in Mendocino Film makers focus less on hype and more on their craft. With an opening night party, loads of films to choose from, and a ton of visiting film makers to meet, there’s sure to be something for everyone.
Travel and Accommodations
There are lots of little B&B’s and hotels, but we like The Brewery Gulch Inn and its stunning views of the Pacific. To get to Mendocino, fly into SFO and head north on US-101.
Mountain Sports Festival, May 29-31
Asheville, North Carolina
A multitude of outdoor sports will overtake Asheville this weekend as the Mountain Sports Festival unofficially kicks off summer with a three-day fiesta. Settle in on Friday and prepare to rally the trails of Black Mountain on foot in the 10k Rock 2 Rock ($35) at 5 pm. Navigate through hanging limbs and fallen trees on the steep terrain as you make your way up to the 3800 ft. summit of Choctaw Rock before descending to the finish line at Lake Eden. The Spring Bouldering Bonanza BoulderMax should get your blood flowing on Saturday morning with some challenging climbs. The Fox Mountain Guides will lead clinics while slack-line contests will get your competitive juices churning ($30, register here). At night, take it easy with some Frisbee golf at the Goaltimate Tournament. Wrap up the weekend on Sunday at Alexander Mountain Bike Park and the MSF Road & Mountain Bike Demo.
Accommodation and Travel
Delta and Continental both fly into Asheville. A large collection of hotels is offering discounted rates for the festival. Check the list here.
Mastercraft Pro Wakeboard Tour, May 29-31
Fort Worth, Texas
Extreme sports junkies hankering to view some big-air stunts will be psyched to catch the world’s best wakeboarding pros duke it out on Lake Moser as the Mastercraft Pro Wakeboard Tour stages its first event of the season. Catch the up-and-comers on Friday as future stars Jimmy LaRiche and Aussie Harley Clifford launch their Rookie of the Year campaigns and try to stake spots in the 40-man field during the Qualifying Round at 12:30 pm. Saturday’s action will whittle the field to 20 for Sunday’s final round. Series points-leader Rusty Malinoski will try to maintain his top-dog status against a hungry field, including Phil Soven who grappled away the championship from Malinoski last year. Four-time X Games gold medalist Dallas Friday heads a troop of women competing on Saturday. Sunday’s championship rounds commence at 2:30 pm with the women’s finals. A winner will be crowned shortly thereafter.
Accommodation and Travel
Fly into Dallas Fort Worth and head to Texas Mastercraft, the venue for the competition. The Hampton Inn & Suites has special rates for the event starting at $79 a night.
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May 28th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
You do know that Norcal is Northern California and not North Carolina,right???
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colin Reply:
May 29th, 2009 at 1:24 am
Duh. That’s why it says film festival in NorCal, as in California. Read a little more carefully as the mountain fest is in NC
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September 11th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
awesome, I love maine rafting. Best place to have it imho! Maine Rafting is fun, exciting and will bring your family closer together! I’ve also launched a site on Maine Rafting: Maint-Rafting.info check it out!
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