BETHEL — The Source to Sea continued down the Androscoggin River, floating 37 miles from Milan, N.H, to Rumford during the second week of the journey.

Paddlers had a glimpse of New England history when they paddled from Shelburne, N.H., to Gilead on Wednesday, July 13. During the lunch stop on a gravel bar, Larry Ely gave a presentation on the history of Shelburne, including a tale of the last American Indian raid in New England with a fatality. The person who died is buried on the Androscoggin riverbank in Shelburne.

Nine members of Team Maine Adaptive, an adaptive recreation program for people with physical disabilities,  joined the day’s excursion down the river.

Thursday’s paddle was an evening event coinciding with the Androscoggin Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Paddle Mania.

Seventy-seven people launched from Nansen Wayside launch in Milan, N.H., and raced a thunderstorm to Berlin, N.H. Those who left early had a pleasant trip on this 2-mile paddle around the boom piers, but those who left later got wet. The last seven paddlers had to abort the trip after a quarter mile due to a thunderstorm. Whether by land or water, everyone made it to Berlin to enjoy a meal provided by the Chamber.

Back to Maine on Friday, July 15, paddlers traveled from Gilead to Bethel guided by Jeff Parsons of Bethel Outdoor Adventures.

During lunch on a gravel bar, Jeff Stern, Androscoggin River Watershed Council environmental planner, talked about water-quality monitoring, fish passage improvements, launch improvements and other Watershed Council projects.

It was a 95-degree day off-water, but on the river the group was noticeably cooler with a following wind and fast-moving current. Bird viewing was excellent, and floaters spotted eagles, mergansers, osprey and kingfishers.

Saturday was a quick trip from Bethel to Moran’s Landing through the Sunday River and Bear River rips.

After lunch, floaters came out of the water to visit the Spruce Mountain Wind Farm for a tour and presentation.

Sunday the group closed out the week with a paddle from Hanover to Rumford with a stop off at the dedication of the Mahoosuc Land Trust’s newest launch, Hastings Landing in Rumford Center. After landing in Rumford the group was served a lunch by River Valley Healthy Communities.

Events this week include:

• Paddling from Mexico to Dixfield on Friday, July 22;

• Dixfield to Canton on Saturday, July 23; and

• Paddling white water from Livermore Falls to Twin Bridges in Turner on Sunday July, 24.

All events start at 8:30 a.m., and shuttles are provided.

FMI, float schedule: 207-754-8158, www.androscogginwatershed.org, tinyurl.com/jz7zfv7.