Sojourners row their way to Mont Clare.

Participants in the Schuylkill River Sojourn were more than halfway through the journey and still adding paddlers.

Wednesday was the fifth day of the 19th Schuylkill River Sojourn and around 120 paddlers in kayaks and canoes made their way from Pottstown’s Riverfront Park to Mont Clare Lock 60.

Joining in on Wednesday were two people very familiar with the river after having worked closely with many of the towns surrounding it.

“I’m always happy to participate in the Schuylkill River Sojourn,” said Leslie Richards, PennDOT secretary. “This will be my third time. I’ve done it twice as county commissioner and now as the PennDOT secretary. It’s very important for me to appreciate all the environmental resources here in Pennsylvania and the Schuylkill River is definitely a highlight.”

The sojourn is an annual 112-mile guided canoe/kayak trip on the Schuylkill River that begins in Schuylkill Haven and ends seven days later in Philadelphia’s Boathouse Row. The trip is meant to highlight the river’s natural beauty.

“Pennsylvania is unique in that the sojourn tradition has really taken hold,” said Cindy Adams Dunn, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources secretary. “The Schuylkill, for those who have travelled many sojourns and done many of them across the state, they say this is one of the best.”

Each day ranged from about 14 to 18miles that participants paddle. Since it began, 4,000 participants from

25 states and four countries have participated. About 100 to 120 boats are permit-

ted on the water each day of the sojourn, according to the Schuylkill River Heritage area.

“The Schuylkill has a fascinating history and the Schuylkill River Heritage Area is built on theriver’s environmental history, it’s history with the revolutionary war and it’s history with the environmental movement. You learn all about that on this trip. It attracts people from all over,” said Dunn.

As paddlers made their way up to Victory Park, they were met with catered lunch and a lesson on the Perkiomen Watershed Con- servancy. Sojourners then continued on to Lock 60 in Phoenixville where the adventure ended for the evening.

“I’m so happy today to get on the water and see Royersford and Mont Clare and parts of the region in Montgomery County from the water,” said Richards. “It’s always a special view and I really look forward to it this afternoon.”

MARIAN DENNIS – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Sojourners packed the Schuylkill River Wednesday as they made their way toward Mont Clare.

MARIAN DENNIS – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA A pair in a double kayak participate in the fifth day of the Schuylkill River Sojourn. Paddlers stopped for lunch in Royersford before continuing to Mont Clare in the evening.

MARIAN DENNIS – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA A pair in a canoe join more than 100others travelling down the Schuylkill River as part of the 19th Annual Schuylkill River Sojourn. The sojourn highlights the natural beauty of the river and takes paddlers on a 112-mile journey from Schuylkill Haven...

MARIAN DENNIS – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Paddlers in the Schuylkill River Sojourn made their way from Pottstown to Royersford Wednesday as part of the fifth day of the journey. Later, paddlers would take to the water again to make their way to Mont Clare Lock 60.

MARIAN DENNIS – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA As sojourners get to Royersford for a midday break, they help each other carry canoes and kayaks onto the bank.

MARIAN DENNIS – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA The Schuylkill River Sojourn, now in its 19th year, draws people from all over to participate in the 7-day journey. On Wednesday, 120sojourners were in the water.

MARIAN DENNIS – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Sojourners take a rest in Royersford after travelling several miles from Pottstown’s Riverfront Park during the Schuylkill Sojourn Wednesday.

MARIAN DENNIS – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Paddlers get to the bank after hours of travelling down the river for the Schuylkill River Sojourn.

MARIAN DENNIS – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Two kayakers float around as their fellow sojourners make their way to the riverbank in Royersford Wednesday.