Mahoning River, Sept. 13
 

TCT,
Please join us for a trip on the Mahoning, the club's home river, from Swift Park in Leavittsburg to Packard Park in Warren on Sunday, September 13. This is a flatwater run of about 9.4 miles with a mandatory portage around the Leavittsburg Dam. We will meet at the put in, Swift Park (870 Benedict-Leavittsburg Road, Leavittsburg, Ohio; Lat 41.238975 Long -80.915873) at 10:00 a.m., run the shuttle to Packard Park, and hit the water by 11:15-11:30. Please pack something for lunch along the river at Canoe City, about 3.7 miles into the trip. At present low water levels, the trip will take between four and five hours. Hopefully we will enjoy a slight blush on the leaves of a few trees and some late-summer wildflowers. A bald eagle was spotted between Canoe City and Packard Park on an August 30 scouting run, so we may have a chance to see this magnificent bird. Hope to see you on the river!

JP

I am in
 

See you at 10:00!

Trip Still On
 

The weather forecast for Sunday, Sept 13 is better than the weather we had today, so the trip for Sunday from Swift Park to Packard Park is still on. If the weather is absolutely miserable at the put in at our meeting time, then we will cancel. However, if is only raining lightly, the trip will go as planned. However, we may drop a car at Canoe City in the event the weather worsens once we are on the water so that we have an option to get off the river at that point. I'm still looking forward to seeing everyone on the river and having an enjoyable float.
jp

Trip Report
 

Four intrepid (crazy?) TCT paddlers braved on-again, off-again showers and enjoyed a delightful run between the brief periods of rain on the Mahoning between Swift and Packard parks. At first, it looked like it would only be just two of us–Jim Bozdog and JP–so the score would be canoes 2, kayaks 0. (Ed was right. Canoes can win when the turnout is low.) Then Bob Danko showed up, but sans boat, and offered to run the shuttle. (Thanks, Bob. That was a big help.) Still, canoes 2, kayaks 0. When we arrived back at the put in after the shuttle, Scott and Donna Holmes had arrived. Canoes 2, Kayaks 2. But no one else showed up to break the tie.

The periods of rain probably didn't last for more than a total 30 minutes out of four hours on the river. And the forecasted eight to 14 mph winds never materialized. River stage at Leavittsburg was 3.3+. We saw lots of Canada geese, including one very impressive and loud mass take off from the river in front of us, and a few great blue herons and kingfishers. It was another great day to be on the river!