No Umbrella July 31, 2003 The Driving Force

State of Maine
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The Driving Force
Interviews and Illustration by Kristen Kaiser

For this issue, No Umbrella went around The Forks and talked to raft company bus drivers, to find out just what is the driving force behind The Drivng Force.

Larry from North New Portland
A. Cuz of the beautiful country, the people, atmosphere. It's just a pretty place to go. B. No, not up for it - not my thing. I hunt and fish.
C. Watching them [rafting customers] come down the river. Watching them up at the dam and they're scared, don't know what's going on… and watching the ones that are big mouths, the know-it-alls. When you see them up on the other end, it's a whole different story. Now they're paying attention, they hit the first drop and they say, "Oh Jesus!"
D. Sitting and waiting for them to come in. During the buggy season, terrible. Only thing you can do is take a Deet IV.

Dale from Moscow
A. Fun Sport
B. Oh yea. I had a lot of fun.
C. It's all good.
D. Not really. You got a job, you gotta do it.

Tom from Skowhegan
A. Because it's fun.
B. Couple of times. Like it.
C. Making the bus flip on video.
D. Moxie Road and the narrow bridges.

Jeff from Lewiston
A. Kicks ass.
B. Yes, I guide.
C. Uh, today's my first day driving bus.
D. Uh, today's my first day driving bus.

Burt from Kingfield
A. Something they never done, it's a good place to come to anyway.
B. Yes. Good.
C. Lunch. Wildlife.
D. Break down.

Bob from Skowhegan
A. Lot of fun.
B. Fun, it was a lot of fun.
C. Get to meet a lot of people.
D. Dusty…

Jean from Jackman
A. Because it's the only place to raft.
B. I have. It's wonderful.
C. Meeting people.
D. Sometimes, meeting people.

Jeremy from Little Falls, Minnesota
A. Because it's cheaper than rafting in California or Colorado, I hear. And personally, I think the whitewater is better here.
B. Yup. 5 years running.
C. Hitting the down hills coming from Jackman. It normally gets everyone's hopes up a bit. Gets their hair raised.
D. Cleaning up after everyone. Garbage. Food.

Questions:
A. Why should people come to Maine to go rafting?
B. Have you ever been rafting?
C. What is the best part of your day?
D. What is the worst part of your day?

Bus Running the Rapids

Email nick [at] noumbrella [dot] com with your questions, comments and concerns.

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