Juniata Journey: Raystown Rendezvous!
The Formal Report: (For the full story and more photos: click here!)
Thursday, May 16,
2002
50 people participated in our kick-off event festivities. This consisted of a tour of the Bedford Historic District @ 3:30, our full-weeker's shuttle service, plus a live band at Fort Bedford Park from 7 until dark. Approximately 30 of the 50 people were Sojourn participants. Bedford County Commissioner Dick Rice presented a proclamation. Len Lichvar from Southern Alleghenies Conservancy spoke about the Raystown Water Trail and Southern Alleghenies Conservancy's projects throughout the region. Charlie Hoyer spoke on behalf of the Audubon Society - Pennsylvania Chapter.
JCWP presenting gift to Lloyd Dell, Chair of the
Raystown/Huntingdon & Broad Top Partnership
Friday, May 17,
2002
51 people launched their canoes into the water of the Raystown Branch in Bedford, PA. For lunch, Sojourners were greeted at the Juniata Woolen Mill for a quick break and a tour of the Mill. Around 3:30 p.m. Sojourners arrived at the Everett Dikes. People had their choice of a tour of the Everett Railroad Station or relax until dinner. The Everett Church of the Brethren provided an amazing dinner and the rest of the night consisted of games and conversation in the rain.
Saturday, May 18,
2002
66 people put their
canoes in the fast flowing water. Approximately two inches of rain
overnight. The safety guides talked
to the group about the challenges of rising water levels and 9 people decided not to enter the
water. The rest of the group made
their way downstream until we reached the Juniata Crossings Lodge near
Breezewood, PA. After lunch and a
quick break we were safely guided around a large standing wave and on to our
destination – Woy Bridge Campground. The
hot showers provided by this facility made many of our cold, wet campers
extremely happy! Dinner was held
around the campfire and a program on Bats was provided by Lincoln Caverns.
Sunday, May 19,
2002
59 people finished up
the weekend activities. About half
the group participated in a church service offered in the morning, while the
rest prepared for their trip ahead. Canoe
and kayakers headed for their lunch spot at Ritchey Bridge.
The water was moving fast and many people had difficulty finding easy
take-out spots. Fortunately, our
land crew was very helpful in getting people to shore safely. We ate a hearty warm lunch and listened to a interesting
program on the reintroduction of the PA river otter by Tom Serfass of Frostburg
University. Since river otters were
introduced to parts of the Raystown Branch earlier in the spring, this was a fun
presentation for the locals. After
lunch, we headed for Cypher Beach where we took out and shuttled back to Woy
Bridge Campground for one more night of warm showers. Tonight was “wild game night” and our meal consisted of
turkey, deer, and pheasant. Later,
we were serenaded by the campground owner’s son around the campfire.
Monday, May 20,
2002
67 people shuttled
back to Cypher Beach to get their canoes and kayaks and head out toward
Hopewell, PA. We
pointed out the Cooper Superfund Site as we floated by and pulled out in
Hopewell for lunch and programs by the Shoups Run Watershed Association, Ron
Morgan (local historian), and members of the Hopewell Foundry gave us a tour.
We then paddled to Warriors Path State Park where we set up camp.
For dinner, everyone was shuttled a few miles away for a fish fry hosted by the
Raystown Stripers Club and a Contra Dance was held at that pavilion.
Tuesday,
May 21, 2023
48
people paddled on the last day as we made our way from Warriors Path State Park
to Heritage Cove Resort. High water
continued through this day making the remains of an old dam challenging for beginning paddlers.
The safety guides helped everyone over or around the dam as we floated
the rest of the way to Heritage Cove for a pizza party.
To end our sojourn, Ann Devine from the Susquehanna River Basin
Commission presented the JCWP an award for supporting Watershed Awareness Month
and Marion Huber from the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network said a few words about
the water trail designation.
Betsy and Allan Quant of Canoe Susquehanna
receiving Safety Award from Dan Pryor