Paddle Journal

Red Bridge to Chappel Fork
Red Bride to Elijah Run
Camping at Willow Bay

Red Bridge to Chappel Fork

Put in at Red Bridge at 3:30 PM. Paddled to Chappel Fork and back to Red Bridge, a distance of about 7 miles. It was a leisurely paddle on mirror-like water and took three hours. Paddled about 50 feet from shore and took time to talk to the shore fishermen, most of whom were interested in the kayak and wondered how far we planned to paddle that evening.

Trip highlights were two nesting Osprey and the bald eagle that was on shore about 50 feet from us before it moved and we noticed it. That close it was as impressive as a 727 taking off.

This was a Tuesday evening and no water skiers or jet skis, just a few fishermen out and a very pleasant paddle.

Rick Stewart

Put in at Red Bridge and paddled to Morrison then over to Elijah Run and back to Red Bridge, a little more than 12 miles. Put in time was 2:30 p.m., take out at 6:00 p.m.

A northwest wind was blowing right down the southeast arm of the reservoir toward Red Bridge, making about a 10-12 inch chop. Everyone who could be on the lake enjoying the hot sunny day was there: boats, jet skis, and water skiers all churning up different sized wakes which, added to the wind chop, made for a pretty exciting paddle.

I took a break at the camping area at Morrison to stretch and eat lunch. When I was leaving I stopped to visit with some people coming into a campsite next to my lunch area. Their family gathers here every year for a family reunion on the reservoir. They come from as far away as Florida and Minnesota. They trailer in these neat boats with huge V8 inboard engines. It was too rough for them to go at anything but an idle that day. I could keep up with them in my kayak or go a little faster than they could in those conditions.

It was a great day on the water but no wildlife because of the heavy boat traffic.

Rick Stewart

With the leaves changing, John and I decided to get away for an overnight camping trip in the Allegheny National Forest. We got a late start and arrived at the Red House area about 7 p.m. We should have done some research about where to stay, because what we found was not what we had anticipated. The first area was filled with trailers! There were even trailers with Halloween pumpkin lights. Driving through the campground, we saw trailer upon trailer, separated by only 20 feet and a few trees. Children were running, couples walking, and campfires burning everywhere we looked. Where did all these people come from, and why were they here on the first weekend in October?

We headed over to Quaker Lake and found another campground. This one was less inhabited, but still designed for trailers. It was a huge expanse, cleared of trees, with picnic tables at each site: not what we wanted.

It was getting late enough that if we found any place to stay, we would be pitching camp in the dark. Heading down into Pennsylvania, we came across Willow Bay Recreation Area, which turned out to be just right! In the Hemlock area, we were the only campers. It was perfect. John got the fire going while I pitched the tent. We had a lake view with amenities like hot showers not too far off. I hadn't anticipated running water facilities, so it was a delightful surprise.

We settled into relaxation mode soon after dinner. The stars, the fire, and the sounds of the evening wildlife made us grateful for the wonderful natural resources that are so close to where we live.

Irene Bozogan