this and that .... here and there

Sorry faithful readers... We have been doing much, but relating none of it for your entertainment. Consider this analogy, offered by Janet's lovely daughter...She says that although her bedroom needs a serious cleaning, she would rather be outside and enjoying the sunshine and the company of family and friends. Such is the case with the VFH team as well... Sadly I have been lacking in my devotion to relate our travels to you, and sadly, you're probably not missing the entries!

So, I'll try to get caught up little by little.

One of the best parts of living in the historic river town of Lambertville is the Delaware River. I have been on that river countless times over my decades of life. The Water Gap was a destination for the family trundling about in the Plymouth sedan. Towns like Hancock, Calicoon and Milford and stretches of the river like the Mon Gap and Skinners Falls inspired beatific visions of the summers canoeing on the upper Delaware. There was a week long trip sponsored by Boy Scouts that featured a spontaneous double date with two girls we met while paddling. My canoe partner and I hitch hiked back upriver to the girl's campsite for a rather pleasant evening....

When my family was young and intact we would linger by the Delaware, either at Lewis Island or a bit upriver near where the Alexauken Creek joined the timeless flow of this gentle river and we'd flounce about and Duke our Golden Retriever would follow us as we'd wade in up to our chests, lazily paddling along with us.

Soon after moving to Lambertville in 1989 I made a point of purchasing a surplus Old Town Discovery 158, a cadillac sized canoe, from a canoe rental place. The fellow asked if I needed help putting it on my truck. I said 'no'. I had him help me drag it to the river and I paddled the 8 miles to l'ville on my own. When I lived just off the canal in town I would paddle the kids into town to get ice cream... we called it "canaling". My son and I often did overnights and we'd camp on Eagle Island just above Stockton, cooking our meals on flat rocks heated in the campfire.

The other week Janet and I dragged the canoe up to Bulls Island and we meandered down the river to Lambertville. It was blisteringly hot day, but the river was cool and refreshing. We took our time and even lingered by Eagle Island. Janet placed the beach chair we toted along in the water and we let a hour pass without a thought. It was all pleasant and reminiscent of lives lived and good times to yet come.