Rancocas Pathways, a legally registered 501c3 organization. Formed to enhance awareness of NJ's 360 square mile watershed and promote multi-use public access on the Rancocas Creek Water Trail - Grass Root Advocacy of the Rancocas Creek as a National Water Trail.
On a personal level and noting over the last few years, Paddle Notes has grown. Cultivated to a quarterly release, includes map, Red Dawg Historical Notes, beta on Melpine Landing, Rancocas Discovery School, Partnerships and much much more.
A far cry from the early days of paddle notes being a single page. Volunteers are welcome to help w writing and distributing the copies of Paddle Notes.
On Sunday, Feb 03, 2019 the Rancocas Creek is about 80% frozen over. This is not the best time for kayaking….Subjective factors and objective hazards combine to increase risk levels to being close on the edge. So what to do when the creek is freezing up ?
Hiking about is a really chill way to scout the Creek, proper. There is significant ice below Centerton Bridge.
Tides will carry ice up into the State Park. Noting of course the Oxbow in Mt. Holly remains, open. Most likely from the current.
Winter ecology general presentation. Covers heritage, natural history, conservation, ice is a vice, winter ecology and a sense of place (winter time field activities for kids).
Open format in putting together the presentation so zap back any questions, thoughts, suggestions and activities for the winter time.
Was out and about the creek today. High tide wind blowing nice. Cold,clear, winter wind. Ice still has yet to form up. Listening to the tidal ice twinkle and chime away in the wind.
Kids Activity – Make Ones Own Ice Chimes. Obtain ice sheets, irregular shaped or not. Keep sheets about the size of one adult palm. Use one’s on hand to size up. One can obtain these sheets just by walking through a park. Poke a hole though one area of the sheet that has been gathered. A few different ways that must done by an adult. One can of course involve kids of all ages w this. Heat up the tip of the metal nail or drill a hole in the ice sheet. Tie a small ribbon, heavy duty fishing line, shoelaces or such from one ice sheet to a coat hanger or wooden dowel. Allow the ice sheets to hang down. The will whisper and sing in different tones as they hang. When they get warm they will melt. If you can get really thin sheets the sounds are sweeter.
One can make ones own ice sheets in a freezer (though that is not natural ice). Take a dinner plate Fill w water. Put in freezer. When frozen solid pull out. Drill holes, tie together. Ideally when the sheets are hanging down they touch and move about which is where noises arises.
How scientific can it get ? very….frequency and resonance of light, noise, wind,
One might skate into winter ecology for kids of all ages in a few different ways. Maybe try out: “Why is that Bumblees don’t ski?” Begin exploring how wild critters adapt in the cold. People just dress warmer. As for the Bumblebees….well, that ‘s quite a bit different.
Engage the young mind as you help dress your child for the cold, discussing how insects, to include bees, can’t simply add layers of clothing. So, what do they do?
Encourage the child to wonder; What does a Bumblebee do in the winter?
