Learn to canoe and camp efficiently at Thornhill event
FOR RELEASE: Monday, September 16, 2002
Huntington, Ind. " Thornhill Nature Preserve will host a free community event for the public on Tuesday, September 24 from 7-8:30 p.m. Gene Lightner, who experienced the ancient river highway from Toledo to the Ohio River, will present The Maumee/Wabash River Odyssey, an exciting tale about his journey and lessons in canoeing and camping. The portage where Fort Wayne now exists was the only land barrier on a trip as far flung as Quebec to the Gulf of Mexico. The trade route over the Maumee and Wabash Rivers was the centerpiece of this trip. Lightner and fellow comrade, Chuck Schlemmer, researched and canoed this ancient highway from the mouth of the Maumee River at Toledo, over the Glorious Gat portage in Fort Wayne and down the Wabash River to the Ohio River. Along the way, they:
Pulled and paddled their canoe up fourteen miles of Maumee River rapids
Awoke to find a rising river had flooded their camp site overnight
Met helpful and interesting river folk
Canoed 150 miles of river, never seeing another boat
Viewed natural and historical sites
Spent weeks living a Huck Finn life - paddling, eating, and camping along 650 miles of river
Lightner will also offer his suggestions for planning camping and canoeing trips efficiently. Refreshments will be provided. For more information, contact Jule McKanna at 359-4120 or visit www.huntington.edu/thornhill.
Huntington College is a comprehensive Christian college of the liberal arts offering graduate and undergraduate programs in more than 60 academic concentrations. Founded in 1897 by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, Huntington College is located on a contemporary, lakeside campus in Huntington, Indiana.
