Susquehanna River: Same Old Same Old...

  

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

And 39+ years earlier...

Several years ago, I wrote a letter to the editor about flooding, continued development within the Susquehanna's watershed, and the probability of continued high(er) water events. I'm pretty sure it's still online, but don't have time to find it this morning as, once again, I have two sump pumps running to keep my basement ( a.k.a. man cave ) - which we just put back together on Sunday - from getting flooded again.

For those that need to know, my home's foundation sits on bedrock, and when the water hits that, it slows down considerably and starts to pool under my basement slab. Earlier this year, we paid a "dirt specialist" to come in and expand our drainage system and create some new swales to move water away from our home more quickly. I think he'll be getting a call in the next day or two.

Off to check the basement...

 

Susquehanna River Blessing Ceremony Set

CANCELLED DUE TO UNSAFE RIVER LEVELS

CANCELLED DUE TO UNSAFE RIVER LEVELS

Next Sunday, 9/11/11, members of the Iroquois Nation will be traveling from upstate NY to Tunkhannock to perform a river thanksgiving/blessing ceremony. After the ceremony, which begins at ~11 a.m. in Tunkhannock's Riverside Park, there will be a short ( ~4 miles ) paddle to a riverside property where the celebration will continue with a potluck lunch.

UPDATE:   At the request of the Onondaga Nation, please bring a jug of water from your well or nearby stream to be used in the ceremony.

If you're not interested in paddling, please join us at the riverside ceremony beginning at 11, as well as the potluck feast ( please bring a dish to pass ) afterward. Yes, this event is open to the public.

The location for the potluck lunch is approximately 1 mile once you turn off Rte. 29 South onto Keelersburg Road ( SR 2007 ). I will post more details later this week. As long as you car pool as best you can, there is room for cars to park at this private property right along the river. There will also be a gas grill or two and some picnic tables, etc. No wood-fired brick ovens, though. (Darn!!).

Note: Although a few have inquired, the front seat(s) in my kayak is still open. The kayak can actually fit two adults and one child up to ~10...and if interested, I can make it available for 3 folks to use and bring one of my single kayaks for myself. All I ask is to be shuttled back to Riverside Park when we're done.  P.S. -Dogs are welcome in my kayak.

Susquehanna @ Tunkhannock

Original artwork by Paul Barretto - 1998 

If you have any questions that can't wait, send me an e-mail at djw444@gmail.com

Enjoy the rest of your day.

And the Mighty Oak Falleth...

  

    

  

We spent most of yesterday in the once majestic Wyoming Valley of northeastern Pennsylvania. We had a chance to visit all of our parents - which is always time well spent - and there were hedges to be trimmed, grass to be mowed, and pictures to be taken along the way.

Here are but a few of the pics taken:

Above: Civil War Marker in Swoyersville/Luzerne area.

Below: One of the many remnants of the anthracite coal mining industry in the Wyoming Valley. I guesstimate the pile of mining refuse in Swoyersville to be between 125' and 150' high.

Below: A large oak tree was uprooted on River Street in Wilkes-Barre by a lady named Irene.

 

This building is almost directly across from the Millennium Circle.

Below: Some of the many folks who want to keep the Hotel Sterling from being made into a parking lot just like the historic Old Fell House was just a few city blocks away. I ordered six T-shirts to help spread the word.

Yes...this place does matter. If you want to help, stop by during the times listed below and support the folks who refuse to go quietly into the night and allow another bit of local history and our heritage to be destroyed by a wrecking ball and continued poor decision-making by northeastern PA's elected leaders. 

  

Order a t-shirt...honk your horn...spread the word.

  

Today's the day we start putting the basement back together.

Later.
  

Kayak Trip, anyone?

  
For anyone interested, the front seat of my tandem kayak is open for the River Blessing trip on Sunday, 9/11/11.

If you're up for an adventure, let me know. I have a few simple requirements:

• You have to wear a PFD.
• You have to be willing and able to paddle.
• You have to have a car for the shuttle to/from Tunkhannock.
• You have to bring a dish to the potluck lunch.

I consider the first few miles of the Susquehanna River from Tunkhannock downstream to be among the most scenic sections on the entire north branch.

If you want to reserve your seat...let me know.

Later.

Sunrise @ Tunkhannock  -  Photo by Don Williams

Susquehanna below Tunkhannock  -  October 2009

Photo by Don Williams

    

365 Days and Counting...

  

Thanks to Chesapeake Energy's nearby natural gas drilling operations, the Susquehanna River has been bubbling methane in Bradford County near Sugar Run since 09/02/2010.

Thanks to Hurricane Irene, river conditions are not optimal for underwater filming of the still bubbling Susquehanna on the one-year anniversary, so I'll save that trip for another day.

The Susquehanna River is the most endangered river in America, and this is far from over.