[JPTolson]

Many thanks to Mike Danko for leading a group of six paddlers in two canoes and four kayaks on the Shenango River fall colors trip from West Middlesex to Pulaski. Cloudy skies and the forecast of afternoon rain likely kept attendance down, but we nevertheless enjoyed a nice run on a very pretty section of the river. Although there was not a great deal of color on the trees, we did see several bald eagles (or maybe the same one multiple times), an osprey, several kingfishers, and an impressive flock of about 12 wild turkeys that flew noisily across the river in front of us.

We had plenty of dam-controlled water with the Sharpsville, PA, gauge reading 2.6. Water temperature was 61 degrees. There were enough class 1 rapids and stretches of up tempo current to keep things interesting, but we are happy to report no incidents of carnage. Mike and J.P. ran the rapid just below the take out because it’s hard to pass up. We were off the water by mid afternoon before the rain began to fall in earnest.

Special thanks to Bob Danko who came to help with the shuttle. Paddlers were Brenda Walko, Diane Harman, Jim Keenan, new member Fred Romeo, Mike Danko, and J.P. Tolson. It was another great day on the river!