Susquehanna Sojourn begins May 18

BY KEVIN WOODRUFF

Friday, May 18, marks the beginning of the 11th annual Susquehanna River Sojourn.

This year, the paddle will be run in conjunction with the Bradford County Bicentennial and will begin in Sayre and end at the Moravian Native American site at Friedenshuttenn near Wyalusing.

The journey is being coordinated by David Buck, Greenways Coordinator for the Endless Mountains Heritage Region, experienced paddler, guide and owner of Endless Mountains Outfitter in Sugar Run.

Buck said the sojourn started back in 2002 as part ofBradfordCounty’s heritage week, but this year is being run in connection with the Bicentennial.

The paddle from Sayre to Friedenshuttenn is the first of two paddling trips to travel the north branch of theSusquehanna River.

The second paddle will take place from June 20-24 from Friedenshuttenn to Shickshinny.

On Friday, the paddlers will go fromHornbrookParkto Sayre, on Saturday paddlers will travel from Sayre to French Azilum and on the last leg on Sunday, paddlers will travel from French Azilum to Friedenshuttenn in Sugar Run.

Friday’s paddle will see participants traveling through the confluence with theChemungRiver, where a Native American settlement used to exist, and heading south.

On Saturday, paddlers will make a brief stop in Towanda for some historical information before traveling to Wysox, taking a look at Standing Stone and then heading to French Azilum.

Sojourn participants will get tours of French Azilum, and members of the community are welcome at the Azilum for dinner that night.

On Sunday, paddlers will head downstream roughly 10 miles to the finish at Friedenshuttenn, where a sign panel will be dedicated at the Moravian Native American site, and Dr. Katie Faull of Lewisburg, who has extensively studied Moravians, will give a talk.

In addition to all the historical information that paddlers will get to hear, Buck said the trip will be great because of the natural sites along the way.

“If the weather is nice, it will be a beautiful trip,” Buck said. “There will be eagles, spring birds and other wildlife along the river.”

Buck said he hopes to get 60 to 70 people involved in the sojourn this year.

He said it has been a popular trip each year, having had 90 people in the sojourn’s first year.

Buck encouraged paddlers who are looking to even come for one day to contact him.

For more information about the sojourn contact Buck at 746-9140 or visit www.emo444.com. Registrations are due by May 14.

The sojourn is being sponsored by the Endless Mountain Heritage Region and the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership.