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Bear, snail, snake and sunburn on river

WILKES-BARRE (AP) — Sure, there was the bear cub that seemed to disappear into thin air, the snail they named Gary and the snake named Rizzo. There was the evening movie about peoples native to the river, the obligatory (and tasty) campfire s’mores and the realization most people make the first time they actually paddle the Susquehanna: It’s a lot cleaner than you thought. But then there’s the sunburn. “I learned to always put more sunscreen on earlier than you think you need it,” Meyers High School senior Victoria Collum said of her number-one lesson from a recent school ...

PFBC issues invasive species alert state waterway

HARRISBURG — After confirming the presence of the aquatic invasive species known as New Zealand Mudsnail in Little Lehigh Creek, Lehigh County, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is reminding anglers and boaters that cleaning their gear is the easiest, most effective means of preventing its spread to other waters. PFBC biologists collected Mudsnail specimens this month in Little Lehigh Creek west of Emmaus, near the Wildlands Conservancy. New Zealand Mudsnail expert Dr. Edward Levri of Penn State and PFBC Lead AIS Ecologist Bob Morgan confirmed the identity. New Zealand ...

Game wardens combine training with vacation

LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) — A stiff breeze pushed two floating hoops around one of Granite Springs Reservoir’s small coves at Curt Gowdy State Park. Hiding in what little shade could be found, spectators anxiously watched Nebraska game warden Jeff Jones wind up his first cast. With a rod and spinning reel, Jones aimed to pitch his fishing rig into the farther of the two hoops, about 60 feet from the bank. Beside him, his team hovered over a canoe, waiting to shoot out into the lake, weave around buoys, collect duck decoys and set a bear trap. The elaborate course was but one of four ...

NWTF, sportsman’s club host annual field day

The Shade Mountain Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation held its 20th annual Youth Field Day and JAKES event on Aug. 11 for 55 youths ages 8 to 15. The event comprises nine stations that the youth are rotated through to receive instruction and hands on experience. The Shade Mountain Chapter could not continue to put this event on without the great support of the volunteers and organizations that make the event what it is. Each year we are thankful for the kids that show up to participate, and equally thankful for the parents and grandparents that are willing to set time aside ...

Layoff prompts family to live dream, hit the road

LANCASTER (AP) — Brian and Diane Peachey had always dreamed about seeing as much of the country as possible. But with just a few weeks of vacation a year, they never could relax or see everything on their list. They liked camping with their three children. Maybe they could buy an RV and take a break from work. Then Brian Peachey was laid off. It was a permanent sabbatical, they joke. So the Peacheys went for it. They sold their house in February and soon hit the road in their RV. Now the family of five is exploring the country while looking for their next home. They’re ...

Historic lodging an option when visiting national parks

Waking up near the rim of the Grand Canyon, at the edge of a Yellowstone geyser or within view of a Hawaiian volcano are some of the highlights of these hotels in the United States. Situated in or near National Park Service sites, they are among the most exclusive resorts in the world, despite the fact that some don’t offer air conditioning, an Internet connection or, in one case, road access to the inn. Several of these historic park lodges predate the creation of the National Park Service in 1916. Here are a few top choices to consider if you are visiting a national park: El ...