Morgantown Dominion Post
14 May 2006
By Brandy Brubaker
Tim Terman is getting ready for an adventure.
The 55-year-old Morgantown man plans to paddle 125-miles on the Monongahela River from Fairmont to Pittsburgh - alone. His journey begins Monday.
Rob Perks, outreach director of American Rivers, was impressed. "It's not everyday someone hops in a kayak and decides to ride 125 miles by themselves," Perks said.
Adventure aside, Terman also hopes to draw attention to the many assets of the Mon River. Terman said the river improved greatly in the years since the Clean Water Act of 1972.
"The main thing is to get them out there and show them the river," he said. "It's swimmable now. We really need to start celebrating the resurrection of the river."
Still, people continue to pollute the river, Terman said.
"It's such an insult when we have something as beautiful as the Mon River and we fill it full of trash," Terman said.
Terman operates a historical kayak tour on the Mon during the summer months. He said these trips really pointed out the problem with litter on the river.
"I've been irritated for years. I'll take these people out from Texas, Connecticut, California, even other countries, and we'll be out there paddling and a beer bottle floats by," Terman vented. "We're used to that on the streets, but when we see it out on the water, you really notice. It's an embarassment. ... We go out there and pick it up."
He plans to do some of that on his voyage, which he expects to conclude May 21, where the Mon meets the Ohio River in Pittsburgh.
He'll spend eight hours a day in a flatwater kayak, a 15-foot long boat, and will travel about 21 miles a day.
"It's just a matter of endurance - being able to get up every day and do it," Terman said.
At dusk, he'll camp wherever he finds a suitable spot, using the tent and camping gear he's packing in his kayak. Some friends and fellow kayak enthusiasts plan to join in for part of the way, but, most of the time, it'll just be him and the river.
"I think I'll have a great adventure," Terman said.
Morgantown Mayor Ron Justice said he hopes people pay attention.
"This project is a good example of a person having a vision and implementing the vision for a great community benefit," Justice said.
Perks agreed.
"I hope people who live along the Mon River will notice and wonder, 'Why is this man doing this?' " Perks said. "It's because he really loves this river. He's trying to promote the Monongahela, the river he loves so much."
Terman also hopes to inspire young children to feel the same way.
He bought a 28-foot long pontoon boat and started taking kids out on the "floating classroom" for a lesson in environmental awareness. Throughout the summer, the children will learn boat safety, navigation and how to identify wildlife.
Terman hopes it will help.
"A summer of weekends on the river, I believe, will give (them) a deep appreciation for the river and the environment," he said.
Tim Terman's personal trip narrative can be read at: http://magicriverwv.com/