For campers like me this was a weekend of bravery, for rafters this was a long float in the sun. Friday night’s storm converged directly above my sister’s tent creating a lovely stream aimed directly at her. After a nearly sleepless night in the car with her son Andrew, she managed to drudge over to the club’s meeting place in front of Landers. Our camp, weary and muddy, happily greeted the Kittatiny Campers from across the street and learned that they too had a pool of water at their camp – the built in chlorine kind. What luck. Nevertheless, the rest of ya’ whimps (who chose not to camp) showed up (all 70+ of you) to board the buses upstream. Grab your paddle, vest, and boat and be off. To where? Downstream, of course. Hours of it.
The sun shone on Craigmeur Ski Club. This was a sunscreen day. This was a day to eat, drink, and be merry with absolutely nowhere to go but down [stream]. This was a day to eat food from other people’s boats, see who had the best drinks, stop and sun on the rocks, and wash ashore and watch the eagles soar above (really, they did). Some stayed in their boats, others swam, others boat hopped. Most got a chance to admire Hans’ canoe but better yet we got a chance to admire each other…smiling and having fun. And after this long float doing pretty much nothing at at all we were greeted (as though weary travelers) by a delicious buffet by none other than club members and chef extraordinaries Joel, Diane and Oliver, Diamon Catering and Campus Foods Service. Food never looked and tasted so good.
I look forward to next year’s rafting trip. I especially look forward to Roy volunteering to run the trip again (he did a great job, don’t ya’ think?). I look forward to all the photographers out there eager to post their pictures on this fabulous website. And of course I, and everyone from Craigmeur, welcome all friends and family of club members to come float again (High Lifers, friends from PA and elsewhere, relatives from far and wide). Maybe, if we’re lucky, even Carolyn will come from California. Hey, you never know. There really is no-place like the Delaware River.
Note: Written by MaryAnne Mecca
Photography by Larry Ticotin, Diane Bogert, Roy Spierer
Photo Corrections & Photo Gallery by Larry Ticotin
Note: If you enjoyed this event, please add your comment(s) to this post and don’t forget to read the many comments at the end of this post.
. Having the rafts and canoes tied together helped us get through the high rocks and down the roaring rapids – haha! Thanks to Oliver and Diane, once again for am awesome luncheon! Those hanger steaks and ice cream completely hit the spot! And a special thanks for replenishing our ice stash! We look forward to future rafting trips and despite the rain storm, we made it through quite dry (THANK YOU LEE, Tracie and Heather!). Couldn’t ask for better camp food – see what happens when you put together a plan
Where was the videographer when Roy fell off the raft and managed to keep his the sandwich glued to his hand dry?
Left by Maryanne on August 7th, 2007