Fall 2013

FALL COLORS OCT 2013

Oct 18 -- 71 degrees predicted for today with a slight breeze - BETTER KAYAK!

Beautiful, amazing day on the "river."  No one here but me, quiet with the birds and muffled sounds coming from the woods, woodpeckers?  Some target shooting when I arrived but they've either stopped or I'm far enough away to not hear them anymore.  Water is way down from two weeks ago, even though we've had some rain.  Maybe they let some water out at the damn.

Schools of little silvery fish, jumping like a flash, by the hundreds all around me, splashing sun-shimmering water as they disappear back into the murky Kansas water.  Last time here the giant carp rose up out of the water, as I moved into a group of 5 or 6.  A little scary at times because those suckers are at least three feet long.  The little silvery flashes are maybe 1-3" in length and must be the fall harvest for the turtles, blue heron, kingfishers and larger fish.  

People say don't kayak alone, but if you don't you will be missing one of the supreme experiences you can have.  Being in familiar water - I know this place very well - it's fairly shallow in most parts and I have a pump, life jacket and phone.  Kayaking alone allows you to be in the moment, you can completely experience what is around you.  Conversation almost always takes you to what happened in the past or what might happen in the future.

Just saw one of those giant carp -- almost come ashore!  This large scaly body nudged up to the muddy shore like a sea creature.  They evidently feed in the very shallow waters.  The turtles here come in all sizes from small green ones to big mud-covered snappers.  

I love having the luxury of about five hours free today.  Two of those hours will be spent loading and unloading my boat and driving to the water then home again.  Still that's three hours of bliss.  I feel so fortunate to be able to kayak -- physically it strengthens my shoulders, arms and core; my mind is lifted and thoughts are free to roam; my soul is renewed and my heart is filled with joy.

I must stop much sooner than normal on this little finger of water as it's too shallow to proceed.  This is the lowest I've ever seen it.  A little rocky beach exposed.  A perfect spot in the sun to sit and take a break.  The sun is very warm on my black leggings.  Makes me want to take a nap!

This is a blue-skied, perfect fall day in Kansas.  I'm sitting in my Lincoln, watching leaves fall into the stream, and listening to the wind rustle the leaves in the trees and the grasses along the shore.  There is really no place else I'd rather be.