Rolling on the River

There is fun to be found all along the Schuylkill River.

The Schuylkill River is more than just something you cross on a bridge.

In addition to being the water supply for more than one million people, it is also a vastly under-appreciated recreational resource.

In the coming months, there will be plenty of opportunity to discover this resource.

What follows are three examples.

Pedal and Paddle

The Schuylkill River Heritage Area is bringing back its popular Pedal and Paddle events for 2013, with a total of five dates planned -- more than ever before.

Bicycles will be provided by Bike Pottstown.

All will take participants on a round-trip biking/kayaking adventure from Pottstown to Douglassville.

Each Pedal and Paddle will begin with a 4.5 mile bike ride from Pottstown’s Riverfront Park to Historic Morlatton Village in Douglassville, using yellow cruisers from the Bike Pottstown bike share program.

Participants will be given a guided tour of Morlatton Village, which includes four 18th century buildings, one of which is the oldest home in Berks County.

From there, they take a short bike ride to Douglassville’s Ganshahawny Park where they will eat lunch and receive a brief introduction to kayaking from outfitter Doug Chapman of Take it Outdoors Adventure Group.

Kayaks are provided and you enter at Ganshahawny Park
in Douglassville.

Then, they will paddle back to Pottstown in kayaks along the Schuylkill River.

Lunch, bikes, kayaks and all kayaking gear will be provided. Cost is $25 per person. All Pedals and Paddles take place on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to about 2 p.m.

To register call 484-945-0200; or email ckott@schuylkillriver.org.

The 2013 dates planned are: May 11, June 22, July 20, Aug. 17 and Sept. 7.

Space is limited. Advance registration required. Register no later than one week prior to the date of the event.

Schuylkill River Sojourn

If you would like to make a bigger commitment to paddling and less to pedaling, consider signing up for the the Schuylkill River Sojourn, which I can personally recommend as a great time. 

The Sojourn has you passing UNDER bridges on the
Schuylkill, like this one in Berks County, rather than
OVER the Schuylkill.

The sojourn is an annual 112-mile guided canoe/kayak trip on the Schuylkill River that begins in Schuylkill Haven and ends seven days later in Philadelphia's Boathouse Row.

Participants paddle 14-18 miles per day and can register for the entire trip or as little as one day.

Sometimes it is wet and wild.

At other times it is peaceful and inspiring.

There are a few rapids, calm water, plenty of laughs, songs at the campsites, and celebrations in the river towns.

A Sojourn traffic jam going through Lock 60 in Mont Clare.

There is a little bit of everything for paddlers throughout the week-long sojourn that begins the first weekend of June.

And though the same route is paddled every year, a different river greets sojourners every June.

But don't just take my word for it.

Check out this most excellent blog kept by former Mercury reporter Brandie Kessler last year when she paddled the entire length.

This year, it will occur from June 1 through 7 and the theme is "The Schuylkill During the Civil War."

You can check out the itinerary for each day by clicking here.

If you would like a fuller explanation of what happens on each day of the sojourn, check out the Schuylkill Heritage Association's blog on the subject.

Father's Day in the Big Woods

If you're looking to spend some quality time with Dad for Father's Day, why not consider the Eco-Tour being offered in the Hopewell Big Woods by the folks at ?

French Creek State Park

This 73,000-acre expanse includes some of the best regional trails, waterways, and scenic lunch spots in the area.

Float down the Schuylkill River, enjoy lunch on a boulder by the French Creek, and look for hidden treasure in the forest. Learn how regional trails and preserved open spaces impact our health and economy in a beneficial way, while enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of the Big Woods in summer.

Activities include hiking, bicycling, kayaking, geocaching and more. Overnight accommodations will be provided in the rustic cabins in one of French Creek State Park’s historic group camps (tent camping is also an option).

A cabin at French Creek State Park.

The total cost for the weekend is $175/person and includes meals, activities and lodging.  The deadline to register is June 1.

Contact Lisa Miller at FrenchCreekEnvEd@pa.gov or 610-582-9680 for a brochure and registration form.

Participants must be at least 14 years of age, in reasonably good shape (able to hike, paddle, and bike over easy terrain for 3 or more hours at a stretch), and dress appropriately for the activities (a list of clothing needs will be supplied).  This event may be cancelled in the event of severe weather. 

Turning to the Dark Side

The PA Outdoor Lighting Council wants to limit light pollution in the Hopewell Big Woods.

Blogger's Note: The following was submitted by Stan Stubbe on behalf of the PA Outdoor Lighting Council.

Is there anything that can be done to control the ever increasing light pollution in the Hopewell Big Woods?  

 Plenty, says the PA Outdoor Lighting Council, and to that end they hope to protect the area as Pennsylvania's first "Night Skies Conservation Area."  

The night sky within the 110 square mile Hopewell Big Woods, which includes French Creek State Park and Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, used to be dark enough for viewing of the stars and Milky Way. 

Increased development, and number of shopping centers and other overly lit venues has added a glow to the sky that denies plants and animals the natural darkness they need each night.  The unwanted glare from floodlights on homes robs neighbors of a restful night of sleep.  

The aim of the Night Skies Conservation Area designation, as stated by POLC member Stan Stubbe, "is to support the preservation aims within the 73,000-acre Hopewell Big Wood's.  Outdoor lighting that is excessive, improperly aimed, unshielded or on when not needed is bad for the environment, bad for our wallets, bad for our neighbors, and spoils the natural beauty of Pennsylvania's night sky." he said. 

Using the Night-Skies Conservation Area designation as the theme, the POLC plans to inform homeowners, businesses and municipal officials about the ill effects of light pollution and to provide solutions on how it can be reduced or prevented.   

The Hopewell Big Woods Partnership is administered by the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and Natural Lands Trust.  

According to Dr. Jim Thorne, Coordinator of the Partnership, "the aim of the project is to have the area preserved and protected from further uncontrolled development. It encompasses the last large, unbroken forest left in southeastern Pennsylvania and one of the most important natural areas in the region. The area is an exceptional resource with hundreds of plant and bird species, pristine forest, unique wetlands and clean streams providing open space, drinking water, and unique scenic, cultural and natural resources.  It is greatly valued as an asset for public recreation."  

Eric Brown, Manager of French Creek State Park and Marsh Creek State Park, has expressed his enthusiasm in supporting the effort to control light pollution within the Parks. 

Just two weeks ago, Hopewell Furnace hosted Starfest

Lisa Miller, instructor at the Park, is taking steps to increase awareness of campers and visitors by holding night walks to point out the beauty of the star-filled sky and to explain the ill-effects of light pollution on the environment. 

According to Edie Sheehan Hammond, Superintendent of Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, "We take our role to control light pollution within the park very seriously. Our outdoor lights are shielded and on only when needed. In the Visitor Center we have available for purchase special shields for floodlights that make them neighbor and dark-sky friendly.  In support of amateur astronomers, we host Chesmont Astronomical Society's StarFest and other stargazing events."  

Crow's Nest Preserve, a 612 acre land set-aside within Hopewell Big Woods and owned and maintained by Natural Lands Trust, adheres to the principles of good lighting. 

Dan Barringer, Preserve Manager, observed that their outdoor lighting throughout the Preserve uses energy-efficient LED shielded sources that  is motion-sensor controlled so on only when needed. 

Of the nine municipalities within Hopewell Big Woods -- East Vincent, East Nantmeal, North Coventry, South Coventry, Union, Robeson, Warwick, West Vincent, and West Nantmeal -- eight have effective outdoor lighting ordinances and they enforce them, especially when developers of commercial establishments propose to use bad lighting practices.  

The following legislators who represent the municipalities and residents within Hopewell Big Woods have provided letters in support of the movement to bring light pollution under control:  U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach, R-6th Dist., State Senators John Rafferty, Jr. and Andy Dinniman, and State Representatives Curt Schroder and Mark Gillen.  

The PA Outdoor Lighting Council is a volunteer non-profit organization whose aim is to protect the environment, the night sky and neighbors from abusive and wasteful outdoor lighting. 

Visit the POLC website at www.polcouncil.org. 

For additional information contact Stan Stubbe, 610 972-9803 or polcouncil@gmail.com