scranton living? (Wilkes-Barre, Butler, Dunmore: trip , job, home)

[NEPA-x-pat]

Originally Posted by weluvpa

No it was right at that hole in Jessup. I don't do the race and I have never really been to concerned about doing it. I usually run the course the day before and the day after. The day after is always nice you find coolers, bilge sponges, paddles and whatever else ends up in the drink. I've been looking to get a new boat with a little more volume to compensate for my increased volume.

Dan look at the Wave Sport webpage. Look at the Remix boat..looks pretty interesting.

[NEPA-x-pat]

Originally Posted by jerry rogers

when I looked on this sight and there were comments about the Lackawanna River and my Jessup deck with the wine and cheese.I grew up in Brooklyn NY and love living in Jessup and kayaking on the river. Usually we drive east and put in at Jermyn or Archbald and end the trip at my place.It is fantastic and we do this trip whenever the weather permits. During the summer the biggest problem is low water. But if your attitude is right and you don't mind a brief walk it is terrific. While you are on the water you feel like you are in the country.As noted the most exciting part of the trip is past my place and through Mellow park however the trip from there down to Scranton is no way as nice as the upper river. Tried kayaking through Forest City with plans on landing in Jessup. Big mistake. Trees across the river everywhere causing dangerous conditions where the boat went under the tree but you didn't. We literally ended up the river without a paddle. We'll be drinking wine again this year so stop and say hi. Just got home from listening to Robbie Walsh perform up in WAverly. He is one of the best!

Hey Jerry, was just thinking, do you see a lot of boats on the river? Seems that the only time we see other boats is during Riverfest. Have people discoverd this river?

[weluvpa]

Honestly in the last 8 years I have seen only a handful of other boats and rafts, maybe 10. I knew at least 4 of them. I was looking at a used Pyranha Seven O M-L, it has a 51 gal volume and that should be plenty for me. If I need to drop it down in the water column I'll just add a little water......

The remix 69 looks like a nice boat, but $1000+ for a new boat when I already have 2 rec boats and 2 ww boats would put the wife over the edge. Thats why I have been looking for used demos.

I have not run down past the SS complex but my paddling buddy and I already talked about doing the full length of the river in one day and once the water temps climb up abit we'll try it. I figure that if we put in at sunrise or just before in Forest city we would be able to make the Susquehanna river by sunset. I would take the 12' rec boats for the increased flat water speed.

[NEPA-x-pat]

Originally Posted by weluvpa

Honestly in the last 8 years I have seen only a handful of other boats and rafts, maybe 10. I knew at least 4 of them. I was looking at a used Pyranha Seven O M-L, it has a 51 gal volume and that should be plenty for me. If I need to drop it down in the water column I'll just add a little water......

The remix 69 looks like a nice boat, but $1000+ for a new boat when I already have 2 rec boats and 2 ww boats would put the wife over the edge. Thats why I have been looking for used demos.

I have not run down past the SS complex but my paddling buddy and I already talked about doing the full length of the river in one day and once the water temps climb up abit we'll try it. I figure that if we put in at sunrise or just before in Forest city we would be able to make the Susquehanna river by sunset. I would take the 12' rec boats for the increased flat water speed.

That would be really cool Dan, a Lackawanna River Sojourn. I know of one on the Susquehanna and there is one here in Virginia on the James River (close to 400 miles long - not as the crow flies obviously).

I think you can get a new Remix around $800. MSRP is always higher. Still alot mind you when you can get new Pyranahs and the like for around $600.

I want something with more comfort. The old Necky is a good boat, but no support for the back and I am getting to old for that crap.

The mile or so in Duryea is supposed to be pretty intense as the river flows out over the anticline, complex is a word I have heard used to describe it.

As for others using the river, I saw a bunch of old school boats on top of cars in Forest City as we were getting ready to put on. They must have been taking out or were going on scouting.

The upper section is very cool. Put in around the remains of old stillwater dam and run the rapid. Only problem is shuttle parking. Some custodian was at my Subaru when I returned for the shuttle. He wasn't pleased that I was parking there. Better to put in right in FC by the water treatment plant. Lots of boogie water, a few ledges, some nice pools, and one helatious drop going into Simpson. (see below)

You should make a photo journal of that trip(full length of river) That would be something to see.

[weluvpa]

I wouldn't worry about parking. I would just have my wife drive us up in the pick-up and rop us off. She'll need the truck to pick us up anyway.

Complex? Hmmm I have been yelled at by paddling partners for just paddling over stuff without scouting and yet have had to be rescued so we'll see. I look at like, just paddle and paddle more and if your in question paddle harder.

The trip just seemed like a fun thing to do and its the best way I think to see the full length and the beauty of the river. You miss so much just driving alongside it. People have no idea that its there and what it can be used for.

I had talked to Bernie years ago about a white water park in the downtown between the Mulberry st and Linden st bridges when the LRVHA started talking about the park they want to put by the river in that area. There is enough elevation drop there and the cost is minimal. Its basically boulders placed to catch the water and force it over the ledge, waves can be build at the bottom of each drop for play boating. A series of 3 drops would be awesome with areas in between for squirt boats.

That would be a vision in my mind and would attract out of town paddlers for sure.

[NEPA-x-pat]

For sure, there are a lot of nice waterparks on reclaimed rivers. The clear creek through Golden CO is one that comes to mind. Lots of boats right in the middle of the city. Another was up in Brekenridge CO. They restored the blue river its total lenght due to dredging. The Stoney River in PA is another place where one was placed and is pretty successful. Could be a nice resource. I know that after paddling the Archbald section my group always stops for pizza or wings and a few cold ones, pumping up the local economy. That is a great idea Dan. Hope it comes through.

[weluvpa]

Gunnison, Co has a nice park as well right in town.

I have to get in touch with the director of LRVHA and talk to her about it a little more. The last time we spoke it was about the path on the levees that will connect the downtown with the neighborhoods along the river. I just keep thinking about the bike path in Boulder. I would love to ride my bike to the WW park with my boat and paddle then ride home.

[NEPA-x-pat]

Originally Posted by weluvpa

Gunnison, Co has a nice park as well right in town.

I have to get in touch with the director of LRVHA and talk to her about it a little more. The last time we spoke it was about the path on the levees that will connect the downtown with the neighborhoods along the river. I just keep thinking about the bike path in Boulder. I would love to ride my bike to the WW park with my boat and paddle then ride home.

I know that path well. My sister in law lives in Louiseville outside of Boulder. Nice little creek along side it. Boulder Creek I think. I would love to see something like that along the river in Scranton. Whitewater parks with natural flows will bring some money into the local economy. The private ones that recycle water through pumps aren't doing too well. THe one in Charlotte and the one at Wisp aren't fairing too well. Hopefully they will become more popular and profitable as time goes by.

[NEPA-x-pat]

Originally Posted by weluvpa

I wouldn't worry about parking. I would just have my wife drive us up in the pick-up and rop us off. She'll need the truck to pick us up anyway.

Complex? Hmmm I have been yelled at by paddling partners for just paddling over stuff without scouting and yet have had to be rescued so we'll see. I look at like, just paddle and paddle more and if your in question paddle harder.

The trip just seemed like a fun thing to do and its the best way I think to see the full length and the beauty of the river. You miss so much just driving alongside it. People have no idea that its there and what it can be used for.

I had talked to Bernie years ago about a white water park in the downtown between the Mulberry st and Linden st bridges when the LRVHA started talking about the park they want to put by the river in that area. There is enough elevation drop there and the cost is minimal. Its basically boulders placed to catch the water and force it over the ledge, waves can be build at the bottom of each drop for play boating. A series of 3 drops would be awesome with areas in between for squirt boats.

That would be a vision in my mind and would attract out of town paddlers for sure.

I think it would attract me and my buddies. I know that we spend several hundred dollars in the local economy for our group's annual visit. Like on the order of $800 or so for pizza, wings, breakfast, coffee, oh..yeah some beer too. But we also spend gas money, and we each pay our entry fee for the race so that is like another $450. So like a grand for the weekend. The powers that be would more than get a solid return for the investment. I always thought the Mellow Park section would be a great spot for a ww park. They have the parking, the elvevation change, a place to change clothes, but I hate altering the nature of the river. I think that in the Scranton Canyon as it is sometimes called, it would be a great asset and it would revitalize the river there as it it pretty much man made anyway.

[NEPA-x-pat]

Well we are about one month away from the Riverfest. The river is at a nice level now. Hope it holds. It is a nice weekend even if you aren't into paddling on the river. Come to the finish line to sample some music, and food. Hopefully this year's food and music will be a bit better than the last years. In any event, there is a nice vibe at the finish, especially if the weather is good.