Pontoon Ride on the Delaware River

Fourteen years ago I read something about pontoon rides in Mercer County Park. The same article referenced renting paddle boats, also on Mercer Lake. The hours were limited. While it sounded like fun in theory, it didn't work for us. 

I tucked the thought away and promptly forgot about it until I saw a Facebook post about pontoon rides taking place Wednesday mornings on the Delaware River. I went to the website and signed up for the first week (second session as 9:30 am felt too early after a late night in New York City).

The seven-day rain weather cycle stopped in time for our ride. The sun was shining and we had a gentle breeze. The forecast called for a high around 80 degrees. It was heavenly being on the water.

The night before the ride we were emailed our instructions. Meet at the boat launch in front of the Trenton Thunder stadium -- a place Don and I were returning to that evening for opening night. Park behind the stadium. Meet at 10:45. The bathrooms on the side of the stadium would be open. The boat will leave promptly at 11 am.

We were the last to arrive at 10:53 am. We left on time even though the last person had not yet arrived. There were about ten passengers, plus the captain, first mate, Alexandria the naturalist, and two park rangers who were thrilled to have such a relaxing day at "the office." 

The purpose of the ride was two-fold: learn about the history of the Delaware River and learn about the wildlife of the river, summed up as "from sturgeon to steel." Alexandra admitted as a naturalist, she is stronger on the wildlife than on the history. One of the passengers filled her in on the historical importance of the river dating back to the time when the Lenape lived here, continuing through the steel era when Trenton was an industrial leader.

We saw various ages of eagles, turtles basking, double breasted cormorants, and heard other birds. I tried to use the Merlin app when the eagles were calling to each other, but the noise of the boat's engine was too strong.

The history lessons were not new to me, but I still wish I had brought my notebook. Though we were told where the lifejackets are stored (beneath our seats), we were in no danger of needing them. The boat rocked a couple of times, but as long as we stayed between the red and green buoys, we were in water deep enough to be safe. A couple of times we got excited looking for an eagle's nest, but our captain kept a close eye on the water depths and made sure we didn't get stuck.

We headed north past Cooper's Riverview Restaurant, which was a former steel mill and has been three different restaurants in the past couple of decades. We turned around just before reaching the arched railroad bridge. 

We then travelled south towards Bordentown. I really enjoyed seeing the familiar landscape from a completely different angle. Even watching the cars travel along the bridge was neat. Whenever I travel on that stretch of I-295, one of my eyes is on the Delaware River admiring the view. Next time I'll be thinking how I got to be on the water looking up at the highway.

We passed two boat/yacht clubs I did not ever know existed.

As it was midweek, there were very few other boats enjoying the nice day. We did see this fisherman living his best life, although we agreed paddling up river would not be easy.

"Champale" was made in Trenton. 
It was said to be a combination champagne
and beer that was made from 1939-mid-1980's.
Marketed to Black people as the poor
man's champagne.

The Route 29 Tunnel. I've never noticed the
Historic Trenton sign on it before.

A bunker left over from WWII.

All too soon we returned to the dock. Unlike Gilligan, our ride was only for an hour.

The pontoon rides and paddle boat rentals at Mercer County Park are happening again this summer. The experiences are on set days, first come first serve, unlike the Delaware River rides there are no advance registrations. Maybe Don and I will also do that this year.