Wildlife photographer finishes 25-day canoe trip on Susquehanna River

May 25—MILTON — Williamsport couple Michael Kinney and Missy Gray survived scorching summer-like heat, rapids, and torrential rain over the course of 25 days on the Susquehanna River.

On Friday, they paddled their canoes to shore at Shikellamy State Park Marina to finish their journey which was the full distance of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River.

Kinney, who practices wildlife photography said he undertook this adventure for three reasons: "First, to raise appreciation of the river system. Number two was to increase the volume of my photograph library. More photos of the river, and wildlife, which is what I enjoy. Landscapes on the water are another target for my photography."

The trip began at the very edge of Clearfield County.

A third reason for the trek was, "Why not? As I've gotten older now seemed the right time," he said.

Kinney planned by making mile markers of the entire river.

"A good day would be either 10 or 20 miles. So every 10 or so miles ,I'd look for a campsite nearby. Many times I would end up making a base camp and travel to and from the base camp every day. In some cases, there were riverside campsites."

Kinney's girlfriend, Missy Gray, came along for most of the trip. This was her first long canoe trip, she said.

There was a lot of rain during the trip.

"The toughest stretch was at Moshannon Falls," Kinney said. "One of the rocks was up and caught us off guard and we couldn't overpower the river. It hit the side of our 14-foot canoe."

"It weighs 75 pounds without any gear, but the canoe was loaded with about 300 pounds of gear."

Gray wasn't experienced as a paddler. Still, she said, "I loved the trip. I used to live in Clearfield, and when this was offered as an option, I said, 'Okay, I'm not passing this up.'"

For Kinney, this was the longest trip he's ever made by canoe. He's done 25 miles. But for Gray, it was a first experience, "and I had to show her how to row," Kinney said.

The headwaters were his favorite spot.

"We were in the middle of nowhere, but it was beautiful," Gray said. But that's when the rain came down.

At the headwaters, Kinney spotted wildlife, a common merganser — a bird that dives into the water and lives on fish.

"We saw a few ospreys, muskrats, and snapping turtles," he said.

Accompanying Kinney and Gray during some of the later miles as they approached the finish line at Shikellamy State Park was Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper John Zaktansky, who said what they were doing was awesome.

"Anything that gets people thinking about the river is a good thing," Zaktansky said.

Kinney and Zaktansky had a chance to talk as they paddled side by side, on the river at Fort Bone.

"There is a busy road on both sides of the river and everybody is worried about where they are going next and then you have this peaceful and serene river bisecting the middle," Zaktansky said. "A way to reconnect outdoors. Kind of a way to reset. A neat experience.

"I wish more people had time to experience the river as Michael and Missy have. Even three hours on the river, somewhere outdoors in nature, helps you unplug and kind of get away from it all."

Along the way, Zaktansky and Kinney tracked the landscape and wildlife.

How were Kinney and Gray planning to celebrate coming assure at the end of the trip?

"Probably a trip home to our bed and a shower," Kinney said. "Missy and I are currently arguing about what is next.

"The next river trip will probably be a lot shorter. Seven days seems to be the golden range for us."