Kansas State University - Royal Purple Yearbook (Manhattan, KS)

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by Lindsey Thorpe As the warm days of fall dwindled to a rare few, three friends armed wit It two inflatable rafts, an air pump and - an array of safety equipment, headed eight miles north of town of a different option for entertainment. • known to many K-State students, Rocky Ford Area provided affordahle outdoOr activities as an alternative to t ht; bar scene. • .• continued on page 40 Outdoor Recreation

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IttOY WA: Kt S. freshman in engineering, and Adam SChapaugh, freshman in fisheries and wildlife ogy, wade into the water at Rocky Ford Fishing Area Just below the waterfall. The two friends and Tyler Wamsley, freshman in construction science and management, visited this area and others to raft down the flowing et ' We usually do something Ilke thh once a week and video tape lit Schapaugh said. — Photo by Kelly Glasscock 8 Student Life

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It takes a certain amount of common sense, Charles Sanders, assistant professor of history, said. It ' s serious business. You have to remember, it is the outdoors, not Hale Library. If you make a mistake on the Kansas River, it ' ll cost you. Hidden Oasis continued from page 9 People don ' t appreciate theoutdoors or think of what you can do, Tyler Wamsley. freshman in construction science and management, said. Most people think alcohol has got to be involved to have fun: ' Wamsley and freshmen Adam Schapaugh, fisheries and wildlifebiology, andTroy Walker,engineering, came to Rocky Ford to raft down the small but wide waterfall located about a mile below Tuttle Creek Dam and Reservoir. We live in Kansas and most people think, well, it ' s flat, Schapaugh said, which is why we make it as exciting as possible. Charles Sanders, assistant professor of history, said he believed students did not get involved in outside activities fora number of reasons. It requires getting up off the couch and leaving Aggieville, Sanders said. it also requires a certain amount of planning. It could be expensive if you get out there and realize you forgot a sleeping bag. But once you do it, it ' s a lot of fun for not much effort. With a roll of duct tape, a $4 air pump and two $12 pool rafts from Alco Discount Stores, Schapaugh, Walker and Wamsley tested the limits of the rafts and stayed within the budget of the typical college student. Many people don ' t know about it, but they rent paddles and all kinds of equipment at the Rec, Schaupaugh said. The Chester E. Peters Recreational Complex rented outdoorequipment such ascanoes, tents, paddles and coolers to K-State students, employees and facilities members. Aside from rafting, Rocky Ford also offered opportunities for canoeing, kayaking and fishing. A reasonable amount of college students fish out there because it ' s so convenient, said James Dubois, scout master and professor of interior architecture. It ' s only 10 minutes from Manhattan by the time you get your pole in the water. There ' s a range of fish in there. Some are good for eating and others are just fun to fish for — some will give a good fight? Walker, Wamsley and Schapaugh agreed Rocky Ford had developed into a family fishing area with plenty of activities for anyone. We don ' t have beaches and mountains, but you also don ' t have to fly to the Konza, Sanders said. Life ' s about making the best of what you have. Eagle Scout or first•timer, anyone involved in outdoor recreational activities faced potential safety hazards. Freshmen Tyler Wamsley, construction science and management, Adam Schapaugh, fisheries and wildlife biology, and Troy Walker, engineering, all Eagle Scouts of Troop 74, applied their knowledge of the importance of safety to their outings. Wearing life vests, bicycle helmets and carrying a long rope for possible emergency use, the three friends said they never went out alone and tried to always observe safety rules. You have to be careful when there ' s too much water, ' Schapaugh said. ' Undercurrents can be dangerous. ' AF TER RAFTING down the waterfall, Troy Walker, carries hls deflated raft back to the truck to repair damages from the ride. Duct tape was used to temporarily repair holes for another quick ride down the waterfall. — Photo by Kelly Glasscock 10 Student Life