A Float With Michael Mantooth

Over the weekend I had the opportunity to join the Conestoga River Club’s Ripples and Resilience paddle which featured time with Michael Mantooth, member and Historian of the Conestoga-Susquehannock Tribe and Director of Projects for Lancaster Clean Water Partners. Michael spoke of the significance of the Conestoga River to the tribe and of a complex history of movement and pressure from European settlers and their descendants. 

Not only did Michael dispel the myth that there are no longer any Conestoga-Susquehannocks, but he also outlined his efforts for federal recognition of his tribe. Much of this relies on historical documents which not only evidence agreements with the tribe as a distinct group but also outline their possession of lands by treaty. These documents reference the existence of Conestoga-Susquehannocks who were not killed in the Paxton terrorist raid on the Lancaster workhouse in 1763 and include 1872 US legislation seeking to recognize native land claims based on treaty in Lancaster County and 1941 State legislation seeking to establish Conestoga-Susquehannock land ownership in Dauphin County. Neither became law as the former was stalled in committee and the latter was vetoed by a governor who dismissed evidence and bought into the prevailing myth that the tribe became extinct in 1763. 

Additionally, Michael talked about the important work he is doing with Lancaster County farmers to help them negotiate a federal program aimed to improve water quality in the county’s waterways. Awesome!

Oh, and it was a beautiful day out on the river.

If you would like to learn more about the Conestoga-Susquehannock tribe, its history, the documents important to its federal recognition efforts or want to know how you can support the tribe, please visit their website here.

Thank you Michael for your time with us on the river!

The crew.

A Night of Nothing

Anything happening on the river?

Well… not really. At least not last night. 

Oh, we (Jeff and I) did have a moment with the black and white cat that hangs out on the stretch by the house. Typical stare-down. Jeff sat attentively, focused on the cat and the cat tracked us as we went by. We see this cat quite often nestled among the roots on the bank or hanging out on a rock just a short jump from the bank. The rock in question is perfectly shaped for a cat and it has to be one of the best adapted hang-out spots on the river. The best is still the hammock along Slackwater road.

Just moments after leaving the cat behind, we were hailed by Ouija who was apparently keeping an eye on the river from his back porch. Jeff returned the greeting and this was accompanied by some longing whimpers. Jeff loves Ouija.

As if taking their cue from Ouija, the blue jays chimed in.  Two different calls were on offer and the sheer number of individuals/calls made it seem like the whole place was rife with jays. Apparently a group of jays is called a party - sounded like one. 

While the blue jays were doing their thing, we saw a pair of mourning doves walking the bank. They mirrored each other's movements as they walked back and forth in short bursts, heads pumping as they did so. 

And then there were the feathers - tons of them. Likely goose feathers, these were smallish and sign that the geese have been hanging out past the bend at Rocky Springs. The geese never really leave, but their increased frequency overhead and the mass of feathers on the water is definitely a harbinger of fall.

The most exciting moment aside from riding the “rapids” was smacking into a submerged log. Jeff has gone overboard in similar instances, but last night he kept his footing following what was pilot error. After the second stare down of the trip, we left the matter behind us and Jeff settled into his usual spot on the bow of the boat. 

There were herons and egrets (pair in a tree) and hawks and others. One of the herons allowed us to get close before squawking its way downriver. Otherwise, the herons have been pretty quiet as of late. The same cannot be said of the eastern wood-pewee which is always out there making some noise. 

And there was the second barking dog down by the haunted house - and the yelling owner. And the sunset and the breeze and the time away from the normal. 

Tonight when we go out on the river, the same thing will happen: nothing. Thing is, is that tonight's set of nothing will be completely different from yesterday’s nothing. 

I can’t wait to see what that is.

Nothing to see here.

3.3? No Matter

The Conestoga River is on the upper range of low at 3.3 feet. This despite a few rain events in the last couple of weeks. Maybe that’s what it takes to keep the river from the 2.7-2.9 range we experienced last summer, but it would be awesome to hit 3.9.

It’s not as if low water has a negative effect on one’s overall experience, and while the river has never been so low that I couldn’t go out, it’s nice to have the push. That and the fact that rock exposure in the “rapids” becomes less of a factor make higher numbers welcome.

We have seen levels as high as 21 feet at the house and at that point trees, benches, and all sorts are carried by what becomes a chocolate milk-like stew. Twenty-one feet will allow for paddles over the lawns where we live, but things are a bit too swirly at that point. There is just too much in the water to really want to go out. 

When things do calm down a bit, it’s go time! Not only is the water extremely fast, but when the water is super high, one is afforded a totally different view from the water. It’s like the difference between driving a car and being in the cab of a semi for the difference in perspective. From there you can see over the bank, spy the path, and see things you normally can’t.

But until a major rain arrives, I’ll just keep it steady at 3.3. There, higher or lower - no matter. Paddle again. Paddle better. 

See you on the river!

The river at an upswing.