It rained last night, pretty hard. The river (Juniata) popped up about 6 inches overnight -- a total of about 4.2 feet at Newport. It wasn't too muddy, though, so I talked T into taking me to the river. I got in at Howe Township Park about 2:15 pm, got organized and was on the river by 2:25.It was a smooth float, peaceful till I hit the rapids about 3 miles above the Amity Hall access. You can see these from Rt. 322 - just before the Midway exit. Since the water was high I wasn't too worried about getting hung up, but I did get a little wet going through the fastest section. No harm done, though. I pulled the front scupper plugs to drain the water from the cockpit. The rest of me dried out quickly.
Below the biggest drop is is a series of smaller rapids, not too scary but I got hung up on a rock and for a while though I might pitch it. I rocked back and forth and worked myself loose, then went through the rest of the rapids backwards.
I probably was a sight. An old fat guy wearing a safari shirt, an explorer hat (Lindsay got it for me), an XXL blue life vest, Teva sandals and wet shorts -- ricocheting down through the rapids backwards, trying to pretend I meant to do it that way.
Good thing there are no pictures of that part.
Anyway, I was off the river by 5:30 pm -- a good trip, all considered.
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