Staff Writer

With both gas prices and temperatures soaring, Cross Keys Assistant Fire Chief Steve Stone said he believes more and more people will be turning to the rivers as a place for cooling off and recreation.

The Tyger River, which runs through the Cross Keys Fire District, is popular for rafting and tubing. Stone said he hopes as folks get into the water for a little fun, they won't leave safety and caution behind.

Already this year, Cross Keys firefighters, the Union County Rescue Squad and representatives from the U.S. Forest Service have had to form a search party for lost rafters. All turned out well, Stone said, but the next time might be different.

“Always notify somebody outside of your party what your plans are,” said Stone, who also is chairman of the fire district board. “Where you plan to put in, where you expect to get out. Have a pre-rafting or pre-tubing plan for the day on the river.”

Stone said most people who raft or ride an inner tube on the Tyger put in on S.C. 49. He said that leaves two places to get out - at Minnow Bridge or Rose Hill landing. Those who put in at Rose Hill usually float to Beatty's Bridge.

Recently a group of six teen-agers who were on the river missed the boat landing at Minnow Bridge and got lost. One used a cell phone to call 911 and dispatchers were able to track the teen-agers using GPS. After a search that last several hours in the dark woods, they were located using four-wheelers.

“Carry a cell phone in a ziplock bag,” Stone said. “With the GPS on the new phones, 911 can locate you. If you do get lost, stay near the river. It will make it easier to find you. If you've got on bathing suits and no shoes, you aren't prepared to walk.”

Also, be sure to allot plenty of time for your rafting or tubing trip.

“A lot of people expect the river to be moving faster than it is,” Stone said. “It (the Tyger) is a slow moving river, especially during the summer when it's down. What you think will take three or four hours may take eight. Plan to be out of the river at least two hours before dark.”