8 Days on the Delaware River:
A Trip To Remember
by
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Here are a few paragraphs highlighting some events.
Day One
I jumped in the front of the boat as I pushed off and we scrapped bottom as we slowly moved out into the still shallow but faster runner water. We barely got the boat headed downstream and we were stuck on some rocks and hung up about ten feet from shore. We were able to wiggle around and break loose but got right into more rocks. I got out of the boat and was standing in water that was less than two feet deep, as I tried to pull the boat from the rocks. We had gone about ten yards, were just about under the bridge and we were stuck. I told Ray, "If we get unstuck, just go down a little bit and I'll catch up with you". We were just above some deeper, quieter water and we needed to get off that final set f rocks. All he said was "just push us off the rocks and jump back in." I was able to do that and we floated into the calmer water. I remember I looked back at Rick, who was still by the launch area and waved goodbye. I could just imagine what he thought about the two nuts heading down the river. I remember looking at my watch and it was 10:45. In our initial 10 minutes, we were stuck twice, I was in the water once and we only went about thirty yards. I looked back at Ray and said, "What a way to start, that wasn't that bad." It was the first time I heard it and it definitely would not be the last time, but Ray told me, "I can't believe you talked me into the trip." Well, we were on our way.
Day Three
We definitely put our life jackets on for these rapids. Ray commented again about if we flip, don’t worry about the stuff. He also reminded me about keeping low in the front of the boat so when we hit the rocks, you aren’t thrown out. I noticed he said, "When we hit", and not, "If we hit". I guess we were ready to tackle Skinners Falls rapids when Ray said, "Here we go."
I don’t remember if it was right after the zig or the zag we made, but somewhere in there, we were spun backwards and headed toward that big rock. Ray hollered, “Hold on, we’re gonna hit." and we hit pretty hard. We were stopped, but just as quickly, the water spun the front of the boat around and turned us in the right direction. We were headed downstream again, bounced off some of the smaller rocks and scraped some of the others as we kept moving. We were almost through and Ray seemed to have things under control as we neared the end of the rapids. We had made it through and we were still in one piece. We both looked back at the rapids and Ray commented, “That was rough, but it could have been much worse.”
Day Seven
Once the fire was burning steady, Ray cooked his last steak and I cooked my last two burgers. I had saved two ketchup packets that I had picked up when I bought those hoagies and put them on my burger. It sure can be the little things in life that you come to appreciate, as that ketchup seemed to make those burgers taste like filet minion. I savored that meal, as I knew then that it was going to be soup or hot dogs for lunch, dinner and Saturdays breakfast. I looked for some Nutter Butter cookies for dessert but found nothing but a few crumbs and an empty package by the picnic table. I must have not put them in the plastic tub the night before after my snack and something had eaten them overnight. I knew we had at least half a bag left.
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About the Book
8 days on the Delaware River: A Trip To Remember, is about a fishing and camping adventure complete by Author Paul Donovan and his fishing buddy Ray Labarre. The trip was talked about for about 18 years and finally occurred in May 2006. The 120 mile trip started in Hancock, NY and was to end at Kittatinny Beach in Delaware Water Gap, PA Rays 14 foot aluminum boat had taken us up and down the Delaware River many times over those 18 years, but generally in the National Park area in and above the Delaware Water Gap. This time, fully loaded for a week in the outdoors, we were venturing North in waters that are better suited for canoes. The eight-day adventure covered low rocky water situations as well as some rather fast scary rapids as we enjoyed fantastic sights along the scenic Upper and Middle Delaware Rivers areas. There was an emergency room visit, shopping for a new oar, naturally a few fishing stories and a truly unexpected 'boat ride' that kept us moving along. With some stories from past trips and the experiences of this trip all relayed day by day, chapter by chapter, you will enjoy. . . . . . . 8 Days on the Delaware River: A Trip To Remember.
About the Author
Paul M. Donovan Jr. was a banker by trade for over 30 years before corporate consolidation forced a career change. He is an avid bowler having previously built, owned and operated a bowling center in his hometown and is currently managing a 16-lane center in Eastern Pennsylvania. He is a member of the local bowling Hall of Fame and occasionally competes in regional PBA events.
Paul is very active in the local Chamber of Commerce and has been married over 34 years to Cathy, with two children, Jennifer and Beth. He also enjoys writing poetry and has previously published a book titled “Poetry In Motion, My Thoughts & Reflections”. The 70 plus poems include a variety of styles and formats that encourage you, tell you a story or reflect on everyday happenings. It’s easy reading that will keep your interest but will not overwhelm you.
Paul has always enjoyed the outdoors for sports and recreation and especially enjoys fishing and camping on the Delaware River. Over the years, many one, two even three day camping trips with fishing buddy Ray lead to discussions about a week long fishing and camping adventure. The trip became a reality in May 2006. The idea of a book about the trip actually originated during the second night of the trip. Bad weather forced them into the tent much earlier than usual and Paul decided to make a few notes, maybe for a future poem. A few notes lead to three hours of writing and the book idea was born.