Celebrate Independence Day with 100-mile paddle

BEACH LAKE — Looking for a new way to celebrate Independence Day? How about exploring 100 miles of the Delaware River to celebrate the National Park Service’s 100th birthday?
The Upper Scenic and Recreational River is hosting the 100-mile paddle on July 2, 3, and 4, covering the stretch between Long Eddy, N.Y., to Callicoon, Pa., then to Damascus, Pa., and finally to Narrowsburg, N.Y.
Paddlers must provide their own equipment. A free shuttle bus will be provided. Each paddle begins at 9 a.m., with participants meeting park rangers at the launch access.
Long-time volunteer Bob Hare will represent the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River on these trips as the Centennial River Ambassador. He will paddle 70 miles of the Upper Delaware River, and then will go south to its sister park, the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, to paddle 30 miles on the Middle Delaware. Park rangers will give safety talks and point out natural and cultural highlights along the way.
In addition to a kayak or canoe, paddlers must bring sunscreen, water, bug spray, river shoes, paddles, life jacket, and a lunch.
"We encourage you to bring your friends and family and make a day of it on the river," says the invite. "This is an excellent opportunity for beginner paddlers, or those with more experience to paddle stretches of the river that you would not normally travel."
Additional river trips will take place each Saturday thereafter, through Saturday, Aug. 27. To participate in any or all of these paddles, call Anya Shaunessy at 570-685-4871 ext. 6610.