The red argillite stone surface of the Canal towpath is showing its age, deteriorating to dust leaving behind an earthen surface punctuated with holes, ruts, and humps. On a sunny day, walking and bicycling require watchfulness. On a rainy day, be prepared for mud and deep puddles.

Thanks to help from our Friends, four interpretive sign projects will move forward this year. Two involve replacement of sign panels that are the worse for wear after more than 20 years. The other two will create new signs so visitors can better understand what took place at special sites.

One can never say that dealing with the Delaware Canal is dull – especially this summer. As always, the Friends carry on – planning, implementing and helping, as friends do.

All of the sinkholes in the northern section of the park were plugged and repaired. We began re-watering the upper section of the Canal at the end of April, and by mid-May the Canal was watered from Easton to New Hope. This is the first time in years that this section has been completely watered.

Woody’s Camelback Bridge is now the fifth of the six authentic camelback bridges to be restored. Randy did a masterful job! The work has been inspected and approved by the State engineers, and all that remains to be done is to stain the wood when it has aged a bit.

For over a decade, the Friends have been on a quest to ensure the last six camelback bridges are restored. Two of these genuine pieces of history are still in need of work – Woody’s Bridge south of Easton and Spahr’s Bridge in Bridgeton Township.

What a summer! It’s been hot, hot, hot, but that hasn’t stopped the action along the Delaware Canal. As always, from sinkholes and sidewalks to wall repairs, pumps and low water levels, the Friends endeavor to meet the Canal’s challenges – in a multitude of ways. One major milestone is the nearly complete reconstruction of the Redfield Bridge just north of Centre Bridge.

The days of May were glorious along the Delaware Canal. In Easton, the abundant water being fed from the Lehigh River filled the Canal all the way south to the Virginia Forrest Recreation Area.