The "Piney Paddlers" - July 14, 2008

A few weeks ago I was contacted by a Group known as “The Piney Paddlers”. They were having a canoe trip from the Delaware River, at Bordentown, up the Crosswicks Creek to Groveville, on the tide and would be having lunch at Anchor Thread Park and returning with the tide. They travel rivers and streams all over the state and enjoy hearing about the places they pass.

They had read my web site and asked me if I would be interested in meeting them at Anchor Thread Park and speaking to their group about Groveville, its history and the part played by the creek in developing the mills and the town. I have never done this before and I explained to them that I was just someone that grew up in Groveville and enjoyed its history, not a public speaker (hoping to get out of it), they said, “Perfect, just what we are looking for”.

Four days before their run two of the group did a scouting run of the creek with chain saws to clear the creek of fallen trees and debris, this not only helps the canoers, but is something that benefits everyone that lives along the creek, this promotes a better flow and in times of heavy rains and floods the creek and the surrounding land drains more readily, as the creek is less susceptible to blockage.

On the day of their trip about twelve or fifteen paddlers made their way up the creek to Groveville, arriving about 1:00 PM. They pulled their boats up the canoe ramp and every one gathered in the Gazebo with their lunch they all sat around I began telling them about Groveville. My little talk lasted almost forty five minutes, with questions it was an hour.

They were a very nice group of people, very concerned about the environment and the well being of the creek. They enjoy each others company and share a common hobby, but they do a lot of good work also.

About 2:15 PM they put back in the creek, we wished each other well and they paddled off.

I was very flattered that they would even consider asking me, but I am glad they did.

The Piney Paddlers are associated with the “Friends for the Marsh”, another environmental group, concerned with the well being and the history of the Hamilton - Trenton – Bordentown Marsh, and in turn associated with the Sierra Club Central Jersey Group.

I have a link on the right column to both of these groups and if you are looking for some fascinating reading and information click on these links and just “Surf” through some very interesting facts and photos. They even have photos of my little talk in the park.

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It was a very nice experience, meeting some very nice people. Its seems that no mater how old we get is it always nice to meet people we can learn from, and I learned from them, and got the chance to pass on a little "Groveville History".