5th Annual Solo Float
8 January 2018
I can't believe it is 2018. I really can't believe this is my 5th year of doing an annual solo float. I like the first float of the year to be full of space to ponder, reflect, and grind out the figurative "rocks in my shoes." It seems that when you spend enough consecutive hours with no inputs beyond the river, its wildlife and your kayak, that you will begin to understand what needs to be sorted out. I love the river for that. It is like a friend that is there to listen and help you along your way. There is zero judgment, just consistency, flow and the occasional shallow shoal surprise to wake you up!
The water was crystal clear. 3 days before my mini-adventure, the river had been frozen solid. I was warned that it may still be the case, but once one has loaded a kayak, gotten up at 6:30 and driven 2.5 hours, the boat was going to launch. I negotiated a 4.5 mile float with my shuttle from Spring Creek to Dillard's Ferry. My rationale was that if it was terrible, I could at least walk 4.5 miles and return for the boat. Face would be saved and adventure would be had. Adventure being the key component to protect at all costs! The good news is that the river had thawed enough to be no problem. Flow was limited, but very little paddling was required. I felt like the usual focus on the terrestrial world was shifted to the clear world below the water. Turtles scuttled around slowly and fish schooled and parted for my boat to pass through. I had a visit from a solitary eagle and kingfishers were busy, as usual, making a racket and whizzing across the river. It was a good day. A lot of clouds, a lot of drifting and a little poking around the ice and rocks for good measure. The warm truck felt lovely at the end, but only because I knew I would return to the river when the days were a little longer and the flow a bit more dependable.
I can't believe it is 2018. I really can't believe this is my 5th year of doing an annual solo float. I like the first float of the year to be full of space to ponder, reflect, and grind out the figurative "rocks in my shoes." It seems that when you spend enough consecutive hours with no inputs beyond the river, its wildlife and your kayak, that you will begin to understand what needs to be sorted out. I love the river for that. It is like a friend that is there to listen and help you along your way. There is zero judgment, just consistency, flow and the occasional shallow shoal surprise to wake you up!
The water was crystal clear. 3 days before my mini-adventure, the river had been frozen solid. I was warned that it may still be the case, but once one has loaded a kayak, gotten up at 6:30 and driven 2.5 hours, the boat was going to launch. I negotiated a 4.5 mile float with my shuttle from Spring Creek to Dillard's Ferry. My rationale was that if it was terrible, I could at least walk 4.5 miles and return for the boat. Face would be saved and adventure would be had. Adventure being the key component to protect at all costs! The good news is that the river had thawed enough to be no problem. Flow was limited, but very little paddling was required. I felt like the usual focus on the terrestrial world was shifted to the clear world below the water. Turtles scuttled around slowly and fish schooled and parted for my boat to pass through. I had a visit from a solitary eagle and kingfishers were busy, as usual, making a racket and whizzing across the river. It was a good day. A lot of clouds, a lot of drifting and a little poking around the ice and rocks for good measure. The warm truck felt lovely at the end, but only because I knew I would return to the river when the days were a little longer and the flow a bit more dependable.
The beavers have been busy. I found no less than a dozen chewed up logs like this in the river!
The water was so clear I could watch the turtles scooting about.
My favorite piece of technology that comes on all the adventures - Spot Locator Beacon.
I love how the ice formed and the water dropped. There are all kinds of neat formations like this along the river.
My favorite incoming spring. The cloudy water on the right is thick ice.
Did I lay in cold water to look under the ice and take this photo? Perhaps.
Happy New Year - Go Out and Find Your Adventure!
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