any reef in a storm

my last excursion on red rock w/ stripbuilder took us past an exposed tire reef off whitebreast. the western wind made for interesting paddling w/ a shoulder not quite dependable. recent ortho/mri results have revealed a biceps tendon that doesn't want to stay in the groove. it sounds a lot like my life right now - hard to find the right path without pain. downsizing is putting a strain on free time, but i'm cleared for more activity.... until the tendon snaps and i'm looking for a hobie w/ pedals. nature takes us in the direction we are supposed to go i guess, so i'll find the wind and drift along...

truth or consequences

working in new mexico found us in a lovely house on the banks of the rio grande river but alas the water was too low to navigate. the picture window overlooking the water must have been extra clean for this dusty bird to leave its imprint - or was it an angel wanting in? you decide.

dog days of fall

we're traveling again and the last days of fall are quickly fading in the rear view mirror. it's sad not to be on the water.

barn to run

traveling the blue ridge parkway from va to tn was a fall treat with multi-colored foliage and beautiful vistas. then it was on to knoxville (tennessee that is) and fort loudon lake's impoundment next to ut's neyland stadium. i had to compete with the paddlewheel full of tourists.

the happenstance of finding lake barkley, the final stretch of the cumberland river in kentucky, and especially barkley state lodge was a welcome end to a tour including five new bodies of water to add to my bucket list. now if only this slap tear in my shoulder didn't portend an end to what has been a rewarding way of life

cygnet sure

it was reassuring to not be a threat to someone new and this young swan left a feather behind for a souvenir. the placid waters of the charles reassures me that calliope is in good company.

connecticut's bantam lake is the state's largest natural lake and surrounding streams full of trout provide almost thoreau-like solitude (but man does not heal in isolation).

gull-able

i have to account for the last trip before we leave on the next so including wildlife pictures from lake champlain, VT reminds me that i am the stranger on the water.

i'm glad they chained up this observer on the charles river (so no one would steal him). he was one of many sculptures adorning the banks of a rather classy river house.

the charles river canoe & kayak building at newton/auburndale, as seen from neighboring lily pads, was an easy access and the dammed up portion of the river made a leisurely, albeit misty, journey. a native american legend says that the water lily (nymphaea odorata) was once a star. it fell from the sky and, striking the water, it changed into a flower.

the circle

The Circle Song

All my life's a circle;

Sunrise and sundown;

Moon rolls thru the nighttime;

Till the daybreak comes around.

All my life's a circle;

But I can't tell you why;

Season's spinning round again;

The years keep rollin' by.

It seems like I've been here before;

I can't remember when;
But I have this funny feeling;

That we'll all be together again.

No straight lines make up my life;

And all my roads have bends;

There's no clear-cut beginnings;

And so far no dead-ends.

Chorus:

I found you a thousand times;
I guess you done the same;

But then we lose each other;

It's like a children's game;

As I find you here again;

A thought runs through my mind;

Our love is like a circle;

Let's go 'round one more time.

Chorus:

one of my favorite songs of all time spoke to the changes in our lives. i have a passion for the changing seasons and traveling 4000 miles in two weeks didn't disappoint with contrasting colors spread from toronto/montreal to vt to boston to ct to va to the blue ridge parkway/boone, nc to knoxville, tn to lake barkley/kentucky lake to herman, mo to home. time with family and friends was a luxury with the iceland trip cancelled this year. now it's on to truth or consequences and more renewal of friendships. the years go by so quickly though.....