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Lehigh River Sojourn Journal Day 4—
Greg A. June 25, 2002 We woke up at 5:30 and broke camp in a sleepy stupor. This reminded me of the canal workers, whose work day started at 4:00 A.M. and ended at 10:00 P.M. An appetizing breakfast of pancakes and ham helped to wake us up. After breakfast, Mr. Mauser decided that we should put together a powerpoint show for the evening (I finished just before typing this journal). We took many pictures of the various people on the sojourn, and I realized that a wide range of ages. and types of people were present on the trip. At 8:30, the canoes put in, and the beginners trained in a calm area of the river, similar to yesterday. After about ½ hour of this, Allen Quant (safety team leader if you don't remember from yesterday), signaled "head 'em up and move 'em out" and we were off. We went through some small wave trains, which were nothing, compared to yesterday's first rapid. A few miles downriver, we started to notice some familiar landmarks. We were coming The Chute at Treichlers, close to home both Nick and I. Just before The Chute, we pulled into a cove shielded by a large rock and wood structure. This was the Treichlers Dam, destroyed in the 1980's by ice floes in the winter. The dam was part of the early efforts to tame the river, and was equipped with a lock to let boats through. The coal silt from various sources backed up behind the dam so high that New Jersey Zinc was dredging it to burn from the 1940's to 1960. The canal was still so effective that some of the silt was shipped on canal boats until 1942. Betsy Quant, the "traffic cop" for entering rapids, signaled us forward, and we surged forward. We went speeding through, passing pieces of the old dam. Our canoe moved on, and the Treichlers Bridge loomed ahead, a sign (to me at least) that we were close to home. The Treichlers Bridge that we saw is actually the 3rd incarnation of the bridge that spanned the Lehigh at what was formerly Kuntz's Ford. The various canoes and kayaks pulled onto a shore that I had often hiked on, and we smelled lunch atop a small rise. During the lunch break, Tom Gettings, our contact with the outside world, brought printed copies of the journals from days two and three. This was the highlight of my day, and many other people were interested in our writings. Another interesting lunch presentation was shown, this one about the reptiles and amphibians of our area. We boarded the canoes, and just as we were about to push off, Nick's mom and some friends leaned over the top of the bridge a lowered a banner reading "Ahoy there, Capt. Mauser, Greg & Nick!" While slightly embarassing, this emotional boost, coupled with seeing a published work, got us through the day. A few miles downriver, we pulled over for a snack stop and a kayak demonstration. Nick & I met up with Brittney, Caleb, and Jace, who we had played cards with two nights earlier. Our three friends left to go kayaking, while Nick & I updated our journals. About one mile after that, we pulled out at the Jones Quigg American Legion Post. Well, we thought it was the post. Actually the post was a long hike down a gravel path, which is no fun when you're soaked and in river shoes (a.k.a. Aqua Sox). We set up tents. Across the field where we were camping, we saw a hearse parked. It was EJ "The Snake Man"! He had many interesting reptiles, most fun of which was Mad Max, the Nile Monitor. He roved about the field, followed closely by a few sojourners. Then Mr. Mauser, who had gone to Walnutport to pick up the laptops returned, and I got to typing, which I am doing now. Only two days to go!  |
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