Thursday, May 28 2020 I prepared for a short canoeing day run on the Colorado River. I loaded the van and prepared a hash for for lunch.
Friday morning, May 29, 2020 I met my friend Geoff at 7:00 am. We rode to Columbus, Texas in the van. In entries on canoe trips of the past I wrote about the weather conditions, the stage of the river, the miles we covered, but this trip was different. This marked one of the first trips for me into the outdoors since I had been laid off on March 26 and gone into lock down over COVID-19.
The weather was beautiful, the river was staged at 12.00. I noticed these things, but at a surface level. Temporarily escaping a parallel to George Orwell's 1984, I knew by days' end I would return to the new normal. The temporary freedom was too much and not enough. The excitement and dread of escape encroached on my faculties of observation. Its difficult to entirely leave these societal and mental entanglements in just a few hours after so much change. Current events, temporary escape and a breath of liberty were the backdrops of this trip.
Geoff and I met Frank Howell of Howell's Riverfront about 8:30. He helped us shuttle the van to the take out point, Beason's Park. Geoff and I hit the water about 9:00. Properly trimmed, I found the Wenonah Spirit II a responsive and nimble canoe.
Fortunately I trimmed the canoe trimmed right on the first try. We paddled down river and I thought no more of adjusting the canoe. Gradually we entered a different realm and dimension. Today the flow and stage of the river allowed us to glide over gravel bars and obstacles I portaged on previous trips when the river was staged lower. It was a pleasant 74 degrees.
On the water we were in the moment. We talked about reading the river, how to maneuver obstacles and the good weather. The swift currents thrilled us and we made good time. The Waldo Rock Garden was fun to run.
At a large sandbar we encountered a colony of Mississippi Kites circling over the river. These are graceful grey birds, flying articulately, catching and eating insects on the wing. For birds of prey they were unusually bold. They flew close enough that a trained eye could see their color patterns and the intricacies of their flight. I could see their tails and wings twist in pursuit of their prey. Catching insects with their talons, they brought their feet and head together, eating their prey in flight.
This was my first known encounter with these birds. I am sure I have seen them before, but this was the first time to notice the Mississippi Kite. They are good looking birds that fly well.
Near the lower end of this sandbar we came to Cummings Creek. I knew this was past the half way point. To lengthen the trip I asked Geoff if he would like to explore the creek. I had not been on this creek for many years.
We went about a half mile up Cummings creek. Some gar fish splashed us in greeting.
We landed at Beason's Park at about 11:00. This brought our shallow entry into a thin space to a gentle close. I brought the van down and we double portaged the canoe. At a picnic table I cooked the venison hash with onion, bell pepper, poblano pepper, garlic and yellow squash. We ate the whole thing.
A good, healthy meal at the trails end makes a good trip even better.
I won't say I never breathed sweeter air, but it was nice on the Colorado this day. In some ways that sweet air was bigger than being in that limited wilderness of the Colorado River. All things come to an end... but this is the source for today's hope. There is something out there outside, beyond the structures and calamity of society.
I found it that day.
Thanks for reading.
MSM
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