Middlecreek trip, Sunday May 6th 1:00 pm.
In late April or early May the blue bells are in full bloom. At this time of year the banks are covered with the blue or pink shaded blue bells. Spring beauties, cow slips, violets and columbine give accent colors of white, pink, yellow, red and blue. The spring beauties are sometimes so thick they form a carpet under the higher bluebells. This is a class I stream running through dense woods in the western section, with a fringe of woods leaving occasional views of farm lands in the middle section. We’ll canoe the section from Middleburg to Kreamer.
Because of its essentially wooded nature, animals are prolific – hawks, migrating osprey, owls even during the day, squirrels, ground hogs, and raccoons (Sue Miller and I once watched two fighting raccoons in a tree for 15 minutes before Sue yelled at them to stop). Wood ducks, Canadian geese, mallards, great blue herons and kingfishers are common. Mink and deer are sighted occasionally. Although not as prime a fishing stream as neighboring Penns Creek, bass, trout and especially suckers are easily viewed.
There is enough variety in the stream to keep your interest and at higher water levels the abrupt turns and outside curves can give unwary boaters a cold wet reception. But essentially it is a mild stream suitable for beginners and nature watchers.
If interested in boating this stream, call Sue Miller at 570-523-9846. Or email
themillers@jlink.netMeet at Middleburg at 1:00 pm. To reach Middleburg from the south take routes 11&15 north to route 104. Rout 104 is 15 miles north of the Intersection of 11/15 and 322. It will take approximately 1 hour from North Hbg. When you reach Rt 104 Turn left and drive 12 miles to Middleburg. Route 104 will meet 522 in the middle of Middleburg. Turn left when 104 meets 522, cross the bridge over the stream and immediately turn right at a restaurant (name changes frequently) so I don’t remember what it is called this year. Park any where behind the restaurant.
