Whitewater

The goose bumps appeared on my arms before we approached the first set of rapids.

It could have been the cool morning air and the spray from the river that caused my flesh to rise. Or maybe it was simply the anticipation of the journey that lay ahead.

We had just begun a 13-mile, one-day trip down the Kern River, regarded by rafters and kayakers as one of the best rides in the West. From its origins atop Mount Whitney, the highest point in the continental United States, throughout its 140-mile descent to the San Joaquin Valley, about 30,000 outdoor enthusiasts ride the river each year, putting their skills to the test against its white waters.

"We're selling fun," said Kenny Bushling, president of Kern River Tours, one of six rafting outfitters in the area. "And fun is a good product to sell." ...

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