What's with this work week thing. All these years and I can't seem to get used to it. You, too, you say? Yeah, let's work on that, eh?! Every day should be the weekend.

Speaking of, spring is here and it's time to get on the river. Any river will do, yes. But when it's big spring water, you want to be on the Dead River in a big honking raft.

The Dead is sixteen, count 'em, sixteen wild and woolly miles of rapids and waves and hootin's and hollerin'. That is, of course, provided you stay in the raft and aren't out there bobbing along amid the chaos of the rapids, screaming for your life. Get over it.

Paddle hard, stay in raft, have fun. Trust me. Been there, done that.

Paddling big springtime water on Maine's Dead River.
Photo courtesy Magic Falls Rafting Co.

WHO: You and your crazy paddling and party pals!

WHAT: Going for a wet and wild 16-mile raft trip on the Dead River up they-uh in The Forks.

WHEN: This Saturday, May 17 get ready for a 7,000 CFS dam release on the Dead River. With all the rain we've had plus the snowpack melting big up that way, translate those numbers to mean BIG WATER! Paddle hard or swim, I tells ya!

WHERE: From Portland, head north on I-295 to Augusta. Continue on I-95 to Exit 133 at Fairfield. Follow scenic Route 201 through Skowhegan, Solon, Bingham to The Forks. You be there then. Check in at your choice of lodging. Find a pub and have a beer. Try not to think of going overboard the next day.

HOW: You're gonna need an experienced outfitter to get you safely down the Dead with a maximum of fun. Choose one here.

WHY: Because there's no river in Maine like the Dead River when the water is big. It's 16-miles of near continuous whitewater. From Spencer Rips to Hayden's to Elephant Rock to Little and Big Poplar Falls. You're gonna get wet, but you ain't gonna have time to be scared. Well, maybe a little.

Have mondo fun, and be sure to let me know how your big river trip went! Provided you make it back in one piece, of course...

Raft the Dead this weekend and have a blast!
Photo courtesy The Forks Area Chamber of Commerce