“The gross heathenism of civilization has generally destroyed nature, and poetry, and all that is spiritual.” – John Muir

It was a little late in the evening when I decided to load the yak and do some fishing on the Big River.  I spent more time taking photos than fishing.  There was a hint of the approaching fall season on the leaves of the trees.  The temp however left one shaking their head in disbelief, as I did, wondering if we were going to bypass fall this year.  I could see that my sanctuary was preparing itself for a dance with autumn.

“Fall has always been my favorite season.  The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale.” – Lauren DeStefano, Wither (The Chemical Garden, #1)

The river is my sanctuary.  I feel safe there.  I feel content and satisfied no matter how bad life has been to me.  You can talk to the river and if you listen very carefully you will here its answer manifested in the sounds of the rapids or the croaking bull frogs.  The river has been responsible for some great concerts in the past.  It usually starts with a choir of crickets and bull frogs, followed by the bass created by the beaver slamming its tail upon the water.   Then if you are lucky you will hear a pack of coyotes join in with their howl and high pitched yips.  If there is a full moon overhead reflecting its beautiful light upon the river; then it is a perfect night.

In my sanctuary I recharge my spirit and cleanse my soul.  I become one with the river.  If you learn to use Mother Nature’s river you will be surprised at what it can do for your self esteem.  If you have never meditated on the river you have no idea how you can really cleanse the garbage from your mind that you acquired by the negativity that tried to creep into your life.

The next time you are on the river slow down and observe what really goes on.  Focus on all the wild life that lives within the banks of the river.  Do yourself a favor and even start keeping a Journal of your time on the river.  Notice how the riparian system works to make the river better.  There are so many things that work together to keep the river alive.  If you have never been on the river then by all means make plans to visit a river near you.

As a point of clarification, I really do like all rivers even the big ones.  I prefer the Ozark streams to the Mississippi or the Missouri.  The Show Me State has been blessed with several pristine streams.  The Bourbeuse, Current, Jacks Fork, Meramec, Courtois, Black, Eleven Point just to name a few.

Now for the part that gets my panties in a wad and always will.  PUHLEASE!  Pack your trash out with you.  Don’t leave it laying around on the sand and gravel bars.  NEWS FLASH!!!!  One does not need a special permit to buy trash bags.  They are readily available and if you need instructions as how to use them I would be glad to give you instructions.  No one has ever reported any deaths that can be attributed to picking up your trash.

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” – Albert Einstein

John Muir was known as “John of the Mountains” .  He loved the wilderness but had a special place in his heart for the mountains.  My friend David Tripp calls me the “river sage” which in return I usually give a pretty good chuckle.  I love the wilderness also but I call the river my sanctuary.

I want to thank everyone that took the time to read my blog.  Thank you.  (All photographs were taken by me.)

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