Source to the Sea Canoe trek coming to Jay July 20

By Eileen M. Adams,
Correspondent

JAY — Canoers and kayakers began the 17th annual nearly 170-mile trek to the sea last week at Lake Umbagog on the New Hampshire-Maine boundary, and by July 20, will be in the Jay-Canton area.
The trek, which usually draws between 250 and 300 paddlers each year, aims to focus attention on the Androscoggin River and how far it has come in the past 40 years.
Jessie Perkins, trek coordinator and member of the Androscoggin River Watershed Council, said 2012 marks the 40th year of the federal Clean Water Act that aims to clean up the nation’s rivers. Many of the baby boomer and older generations remember when foam seethed in the river due to significant pollution, particularly near the several paper mills located on its banks.
“We’re trying to reintroduce the Androscoggin River to people. There’s a whole generation now who don’t know about the pollution,” said Perkins, who with her husband, Gabe, plans to paddle at least some parts of the trek. “The river is such an asset.”
She said all age groups have participated in at least some parts of the trek. A few, over the years, have paddled the entire 170 miles and have done it in 25 consecutive days.
The trek this year takes place on Thursdays or Fridays through Sundays. Paddlers may choose to take part on any number of legs of the journey. The Source to the Sea Canoe Trek began July 6 and will end in Brunswick along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean on Aug. 4 where a celebration will be held.
All parts of the 170-mile trek include an abundance of wildlife and nature views.
Other special events have been planned along the way, as well. An evening paddle took place in Berlin, N.H. at the beginning. Another will take place in Lewiston/Auburn.
Locally, an evening paddle is scheduled in downtown Jay on July 26 at the rear of the Mill Street Café, which was once the Otis Paper Mill. The paddle takes place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. It will be followed by appetizers and a cash bar at the café.
Other local legs of the trek are on July 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Dixfield to the Riley Dam in Canton, a distance of about 10 miles, and on July 22 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. from the Riley Dam on the Jay/Canton town line to the former Otis Mill. One of the trek’s few portages take place at Pine Island in Jay.
There are no fees required to take part in the trek, but donations are always appreciated, Perkins said.
To register for any of the legs of the trek, or to learn more detailed information, those interested may log onto www.arwc.camp7.org.