“A river is more than an amenity, it is a treasure.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes

“A river seems a magic thing.  A magic, moving, living part of the very earth itself.” – Laura Gilpin

I was finally afforded an opportunity to spend some time on the Big River.  I decided to kayak and fish the St. Francois State Park area of the river.  I went on a Thursday so I had the park pretty much to myself.  I was even able to accommodate myself with some time to read some of Emerson’s work.  The only distraction I had was the chirping of the crickets and the crackling of the fire.

The river was really low.  It was hard to fish and float.  I did manage to catch some fish though.  Not very big but when you are fishing with an ultralite with 4 pound test they don’t have to be very big to have fun catching them.  I did catch enough to consume for supper on the second day.

My time spent on the river is always magical and mesmerizing.  It has been that way since I was a snotty nosed kid.  I cherish the world of the river and the way it can recharge my spirit and soul.  To see the fall painting that Mother Nature had brushed onto  the foliage was a site to behold.

The first day on the river I never crossed paths with another person.  I had the river all to myself and it is hard to explain what a great feeling it is.  My mind races trying to take in all the wonderful things that I am surrounded by everything grabbing my attention at once.  Even though I have been here before I feel like a child in a candy store.

I wish I could explain the “peaceful  easy feeling” that I experience upon every visit to the river.   It is quite refreshing and it gives one a great opportunity to find themselves.

The downside of the river is that everything cooked on an open fire tastes amazing so therefore one tends to eat too much.

 

Funny how many times I have read this book and when I get out on the river and clear my mind of all the garbage it has accumulated since the last visit, I find something I have missed.  Emerson did not believe that one could simply change society by changing the laws, or by imposing new regulations.  For one to effectively change the laws of a state, the minds of the citizens must be changed first through culture  or education.  Forgive me for getting off subject.  This is food for another blog on another day.

I am a realist and I know the river doesn’t work as well for some as it does me.  Not everyone is comfortable on the river and not everyone likes to fish.  I urge you though to find your “river” in life, no matter what it is.  Then share it with the rest of the world.  Spread the love.

I also realize not everyone likes reading Emerson.  In closing I want to thank everyone for taking the time to read my blog and I hope you enjoyed it.  I wish you luck in finding your “river” and “Emerson”.