In the stillness.
In the quiet.
In the going down of the sun.
After we saw the eagle we were all feeling pretty blessed and happy.
It is not every day one has the chance to see such a majestic bird flying over ones head.
We coasted along with the current and continued to enjoy the sun and the soft breeze.
It was refreshing and also upsetting because of all the fourth of July rafters who were in my opinion not taking the water seriously.
We saw parents who had little children on swift waters with no life jackets and even allowing little children
to navigate kayaks alone with no adult supervision or help.
I personally prayed for each and every one of those little ones who looked unsure or afraid.
The river is to be respected and it was very different this year.
The scenery was beautiful, quiet and peaceful.
(other than when we saw the others on the water)
I was uncomfortable with strange people with us and worked really hard to move away from them.
We used to see deer and other wild life but this year they were pretty far away from the noise on the river.
I did happen to get some pictures of a gaggle of geese along the shore line.
They were sitting on the edge of the water as if they were watching us float by.
I have always enjoyed the wildlife in their natural environment.
In the past we have seen a variety of deer on the shore and birds in the air.
Each year it is different and each year we may or may not be able to see an eagle.
As we were ending our trip and heading to the last stretch of the river.
Ryan our only kayak rider fell out of his kayak and had to navigate back into it.
He said the current was swift and his kayak had water in it.
Then another one of our team members dumped their canoe over.
That incident could have been very serious as they were both under the canoe for a short time and they could feel the current try to pull them away.
Then as we were closing in on our take out point our head leader and his wife dumped their canoe.
We have never had so many canoes go over and it seemed like a very different year for all of us.
Each one of the incidents could have been very serious from the hand ‘cut’ to the canoes overturning.
God was with us and protecting us.
Our 2013 trip was different yet it was sweet for when we couldn’t be on the river we could spend time sharing with each other doing different things.
We learned to work together and help one another and become more of a team.
It was good and it was challenging.
We look forward to next year and the many years after that until we no longer can go.
The river is a beautiful place to see God’s creation.
We are never disappointed in the experience or the view.
The other half of our day on the river was pretty good until one of our teams hit a bridge and capsized their canoe.
They had headed through it and somehow hit sideways and slammed into the center post.
The canoe went over and they were in the water in seconds even with life jackets the water was swift and the current was fast.
They were good swimmers and made it to shore.
We prayed for their safety and we prayed for a recovery that would not be too difficult.
When a canoe is over turned it is a very difficult task to move it.
There is water current and water pressure and it is very similar to a strong suction cup.
Fortunately along the shore line there was a man who lived nearby with a motor boat.
Between the motor boat trying to attach ropes to the canoe and the man power of at least five guys after what seemed like over ninety minutes on the water the boat was pulled to shore and then turned over.
We waited by the side of the waters edge watching, and praying for the canoe to be rescued.
Our team members were safe and other than being shaken and a bit scared they were not hurt.
We all clapped and yelled when it was finally pulled to the other side of the waters edge and turned over.
The only items they lost were a few towels, bungee cords and a tube of chap stick.
We continued our trip down the river singing and praising God that our team was back together and everyone was safe and not injured.
As we were chattering with each other someone said in a quiet tone, “shush… there is an eagle ahead”.
Our silence was in anticipation of what we were going to see.
Over to the left was a large bald eagle and he was sitting in a tree watching us.
It then moved in flight and hovered over our team circling three times.
I was not able to see this but those who did said it was amazing.
Then the eagle flew over us and into a tree on the other side of the river.
We felt it was a ‘blessing’ and a gift to see such a beautiful bird and perhaps a sign that all was going to be
well for the rest of the trip.
We did our 2013 canoe trip and we survived in spite of many incidents that could have been dangerous and or life threatening.
Each year the trip is a challenge.
Not a bad challenge but just the idea of camping, and taking enough for a canoe trip demands a lot of planning and thought.
We stay in a campsite and set our tents up and our chairs and our food and tables and then we talk about the days out on the water.
This year the water was more swift and higher than normal.
Our guide who happens to be my husbands oldest brother was apprehensive about the waters depth and also the current was much faster than we normally try to navigate.
We left home on the fourth and arrived into camp with the idea of celebrating the fourth with each other.
We had the typical hot dog and potato salad with watermelon dinner.
It was fun and festive. Some of the ladies had brought with them red, white and blue tablecloths and pinwheels.
We shared around the camp fire and just enjoyed the time spent together until one of our guys accidentally stabbed himself with his pocket knife fortunately we had a vet with us and he did the doctoring and wrapping and it seemed to be alright.
The next day we were supposed to be on the water but the boss said it didn’t look good.
SO we went hiking, or spent the day in Sun River a resort place in Oregon.
Some had ice cream at Goody’s and others had Carmel corn.
Back at camp we talked more about the next day on the water.
That night a few of us were attacked by an internal bug and we did not feel very good.
I personally was not sure after a rough night if I could go out on the water for five or six hours.
We paced ourselves. Had some tums. Prayed. Ate some yogurt and prayed more.
Then we set off on our trip down the rivers edge.
The weather was around eighty in temperature and it was very nice.
In the beginning it was relaxing and good.
The water was much faster and the current was often working against us.
The fourth of July weekend was also not to our benefit.
Part of our ‘trip’ included many extra boats, kayaks and inter tubes tied together and in our way.
We are not accustomed to that many people on our quiet retreat on the water.
The journey became not as relaxing as we had hoped and it was also challenging to navigate away from the other people.
God was showing us many things throughout this trip.
The biggest lesson was to be flexible.
Soon we are going on our much needed canoe trip.
My heart is heavy today for assorted reasons and I do feel we need some time away.
Life has been busy and very hard at times in the last few months.
It has been both financially and emotionally draining.
I sometimes just want to take a long relaxing nap but when sleep comes it doesn’t seem to come easy.
The temperature outside has been in the high 90’s and for our area that is hot.
We do have air conditioning but it is still warm and sometimes uncomfortable for us and the animals.
When we get away and on the water there is really nothing to worry about.
No concerns other than to not dump over as I don’t know how to swim.
The landscape around us and the views are so relaxing and beautiful.
Often times we can see birds hovering in the sky or deer along the sides of the bank walking near the water.
A few times we have even seen eagles nests and even eagles sitting high above our heads.
You cannot believe the quiet.
It is so peaceful and calming to the soul and spirit.
Simplicity
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