{"id":23448,"date":"2020-05-22T16:08:36","date_gmt":"2020-05-22T21:08:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.howderfamily.com\/blog\/?p=23448"},"modified":"2022-07-08T06:35:47","modified_gmt":"2022-07-08T11:35:47","slug":"williamsport","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.howderfamily.com\/blog\/williamsport\/","title":{"rendered":"West Branch of the Susquehanna River"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Williamsport, Pennsylvania, USA (September 2006)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"S.<\/a>
S. S. Hiawatha<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We took our time meandering up to the Finger Lakes and spent a couple of days in the vicinity of Williamsport, Pennsylvania. This included a leisurely cruise on the S. S. Hiawatha paddlewheel riverboat<\/a> that departed from near the boat ramp at Susquehanna State Park (map<\/a>). It traveled along a section of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The trip lasted about an hour and included commentary on the history of the river and the early settlers. There was also a small exhibit onboard that shows the restoration that took place when putting the ship into service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Out On the Water<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"West<\/a>
The river viewed from the upper deck<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Our older son particularly enjoyed walking around and between both decks and looking along the river from every vantage point. He even got to visit the Captain in the wheelhouse and learned how to work the navigation equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Reptiland<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"American<\/a>
A Friendly Resident of Repiland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Next we ventured down Route 15 about halfway between Williamsport and Lewisburg, Pennsylvania to visit Reptiland<\/a>. This is a small but well-done zoo specializing in reptiles and amphibians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We arrived just in time for a lecture demonstration and learned some interesting facts about the animals. Then we got an opportunity to touch a large snake and a juvenile alligator. We also witnessed some of the turtles being fed, and I never would have imagined how aggressive these guys could get when competing over bits of meat dangled in front of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n