First Day

After waking up at 6:30 in the morning, packing up our bags, and eating a quick breakfast of Cheerios, we were on our way to Glen Onoko. There we met up with a park ranger and asked him questions about his job, while Todd and Ryan set up the transportation part of the trip. After they came back we set out on the Lehigh. I was riding in the canoe solo for the first time. We had a short 2 mile downstream to Jim Thorpe. I learned how difficult it is to ride solo in a canoe as opposed to being with another person. I was much more unstable traveling through rapids, and it required much more effort to paddle and steer then when you are with a partner. It was a great experience though and taught me more about how to become a better paddler. There is also a greater sense of freedom when you are traveling solo.

In Jim Thorpe we got lunch and explored the historic town. Then continued the last 11 mile river portion of our trip. Along the way we met rafters, kayakers, and more rapids. Storm clouds rolled in as we landed at the Lehigh Valley Nature Center. It seemed as if the storm was waiting for us to get of the water before it unleashed its wrath, because as soon as we did it began to lightning, storm and torrential downpour. We went inside the center and learned about its purpose and history. Eventually the storm subsided and we cooked dinner in the outside pavilion. Then we continued our trek on foot and hiked a mile before setting up camp.