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BTW: Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, where the Gold Rush began, is less than a mile from many of Coloma’s whitewater rafting outfitters along California 49.

Disney’s take on the whitewater rafting ride is robust, coming in at about seven minutes.

Custom charters are available through the website, also, with adventure options ranging from whitewater rafting, rock climbing and hiking to mountain biking, wine tasting, camping and horseback riding.

Before this trip, I had participated in various “outdoor adventure” activities — like whitewater rafting, kayaking and hiking in the mountains.

On a bluff overlooking the Columbia River, 30 miles south of Mount Adams, the town of about 2,600 is the gateway to a hotbed for kayaking, windsurfing, whitewater rafting, mountain biking and skiing — as well as a burgeoning wine scene.