Rockaway River, NJ
by Melody Wenger

May 26, 2024

On Sunday, May 26 18 paddlers braved a Melody run trip down the Rockaway River from Jackson Ave Park, Rockaway to Griffith Park, Boonton. On this weather perfect day, we paddled about 6-7 miles winding our way through woods, backyards, Denville and a golf course.

The trickiest part of the day was putting in with a variety of low water and rocks that we had to push though. Once on open water, the slow-moving river gave us an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and some wildlife: blue herons, an oriole, geese with goslings, a mama merganser with a large group of ducklings running on top of the water, and a young deer by the water side who stood so still hoping we wouldn't see her.

Our usual lunch spot was in the middle of Denville where some people brown bagged their lunch at riverside picnic tables while others walked across the street for pizza, hot dogs and ice cream.

At the end of the paddle we tailgated, with the group sharing lots of yummy pickings. So much that this girl skipped dinner that night! Thanks to my fellow paddlers who made this a delightful event: Jim M, Andrea N, Joe M, Vicky G, Anne B, Johanna M, Mary J, Rich H, Debra S, David S, Phil B, Anton G, Monica O, Yvonne C, Mark G, Robyn L, and special guest Linda L who experienced her first river trip.

A special thanks for my photographers, Andrea Natalie and Monica Orzo.
> Click here for photos

Melody