On naming the
scenic byway

To the editor:

For the past 12 years I have been telling people with great enthusiasm that I live in the Upper Delaware River Valley and, should they choose to visit me, they might consider coming up Route 97 from Port Jervis to Callicoon in order to experience the beauty of the river valley. I describe it as the “scenic route.”

For this reason I suggest we maintain the NY State concept of a “Byway” Program and call the route either the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway or the Upper Delaware Scenic Highway. The suggestions you note in The River Reporter all refer to a “Trail.” To me and, I suspect, others who like to go exploring beautiful areas when we travel, a “trail” would imply walking or hiking; not a route I would choose to drive.

A byway by definition indicates a side road and a secondary, or overlooked, field of study. A trail denotes making a path or track through. We want the river valley to be explored by auto as the river itself is largely inaccessible, and to attract tourists we must highlight the beauty of the drive; hence, my choice of byway or highway. This implies a good road and fun to drive, which it is!

Highlighting the entrance and/or exit via the Hawk’s Nest could only make it more attractive as a motorist’s choice, and I think that Triple A would be quite willing to provide free updated publicity to include points of interest along the route.

Fran Hepburn
Callicoon, NY

Your choice

The River Reporter and The River Reporter Online asked its readers what Route 97 should be named after it is given scenic byway status. Many of you did not favor the choices listed, and came up with your own, including: Tom Quick Trail, Quick Trail, Delaware Byway, 97 Byway, Upper Delaware Scenic Byway, Upper Delaware Scenic Highway, Scenic 97, Borderview Trail, The Zane Grey Trail and the Near West Trail. Also submitted, in a humorous vein, were Hanging (with the Shad) Trail, Temptation Valley Trail and the Paddle Pedal Trail.

Of the names presented in the survey, in order of popularity, you chose: Delaware River Trail, Upper Delaware River Valley Trail, Lenape Trail, Big River Valley Trail, Blue Stone Path/Trail and Daniel Skinner Trail.

One contributor added a comment: “The name is less relevant than the reason to come. You need something fabulous at the ‘end’ or along the way… food, antiques, etc….”

The River Reporter and the Scenic Byways Committee thank all who participated in the survey.