River Trip #3 - Thompsontown to Greenwood Access

T drove me to the PA Fish Commission access area near Thompsontown. The parking lot was full of boat trailers and I saw some bass boats with two or three fishermen in each. Motor boats on the Juniata can't get very far -- a little upstream or downstream from the access areas, and that's about it. I guess the attraction is more fishing that boating. I haven't bothered to get a fishing license yet. I'm having enough fun just paddling and taking pictures for now. Maybe next year.

I traveled light this time -- a small cooler with drinks and a dry-bag with my GPS and camera. I had the the GPS tracking turned on. I like to measure the exact distance in river miles so I can see how fast and far I go. Plus it helps get the timing down so T can plan her day.

Because of the Labor Day holiday there were more people than usual on the river. In addition to the fisherman I saw canoes and kayaks. I think kayaks outnumber canoes now. When I was young there were more canoes.

Occasionally I passed families on the shore -- parents sitting in sling chairs, kids playing in the water. Most modern Moms are horrified at the idea of kids playing in a real river with rocks, mud and critters.

The float was smooth for the most part. I paddled through a few riffles but nothing too exciting. I ran into a shallow stretch just below Millerstown. I had to get out and drag the kayak for about 50 yards or so. No big deal.


The trip lasted just about 2 1/2 hours, which turned out to be perfect.

I'd like to take at least two more trips this year. Early fall is a nice time to paddle.