A river of moods, contrasts and demands

NARROWSBURG, NY — The Delaware River Sojourn, an annual 86-mile river trip highlighting many natural wonders created millions of years ago when the river was forcing its way to the sea, will begin on June 14 at Narrowsburg, the deepest spot on the non-tidal Delaware and conclude at Philadelphia on June 21.

The sojourn is suitable for people with varying paddling skills and includes river reaches with easy and moderate rapids (Class I and II). On the last day, sojourners will cruise aboard the sailboat North Wind and conduct water quality tests and sample plankton.

Traveling in canoes and kayaks, the sojourners will pass lush woodlands, home of black bears and white-tailed deer, and towering bluffs where red-tailed hawks soar on thermal currents. Paddlers will witness the contrast between the geological grandeur of the Delaware Water Gap and the concrete stream of cars and rattling trucks on Interstate 80, which abruptly crosses the river.

In Philadelphia, the site of the second largest oil refining-petrochemical complex in the United States, a much cleaner Delaware has re-opened with passageway for migrating sport fish such as shad and striped bass.

The 2003 sojourn is being sponsored by Rohm and Haas Company, Sunoco, Reliant Energy, Delaware River Family Campground, Inc., and Driftstone, Inc. Financial support is also being provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers and the William Penn Foundation.

Sojourns may sign up for the entire eight-day trip or just for sections, and camping is available. For more information call 570/828-2319 or visit drbc.net.

A little birdie told me

LAKE ARIEL, PA — Expert birder Peter Wulfhorst will lead a moderate walk in search of Lacawac Sanctuary’s resident songbirds on Sunday, June 8 from 7:00 to 9:30 a.m. Beginners and advanced birders will benefit from Wulfhorst’s explanations of how to identify birds visually and audibly. Binoculars are recommended.

After looking for warblers, thrushes, waterfowl, and even raptors, participants will be treated to breakfast in the historic Adirondack-style Lodge at Lacawac, once the summer estate of Scranton coal mine owner William Connell. The $8 fee includes breakfast.

For more information or to registration call 570/689-9494.

The natural wonder of the Basha Kill

WURTSBORO, NY — Gary Keeton, the Basha Kill area association’s naturalist will share his comprehensive knowledge of the Kill on Saturday, May 31 at 10:00 a.m. during a light one-and-a-half hour walk along the old D&H towpath, which overlooks the water.

Meet at the DEC sign across from the Westbrookville Deli on Route 209.

For more information call 845/386-4892.

The elms are coming to Thompson

TOWN OF THOMPSON, NY — Not long ago, virtually every town and city in the United States boasted shady, elm-lined avenues, parks and public spaces. The Town of Thompson was no exception, but the ravages of Dutch elm disease made that beautiful vision a distant memory.

This year, citizens will rally to celebrate Thompson’s 200th birthday by dedicating an anniversary elm tree to symbolize civic pride. The planting will take place on Saturday, May 31 at 12:00 p.m. at the Rock Hill Ambulance Corps Building.

The anniversary elm is a patented disease resistant American Liberty Elm from the nonprofit Elm Research Institute (ERI) in Keene, NH, an organization devoted to restoring elm trees across America. ERI’s new “Re-elming America” campaign sponsors a planting at every community celebrating a town birthday. The Liberty Elm is a result of decades of intensive research and selective plantings that insure high survival rates and healthy longevity.

A bagel breakfast at 9:00 a.m. will precede the planting. For more information call 845/794-5000, ext 306.