Whatever Floats

There were some scenes from yesterday's kayak survey where I made mistakes and found myself in trouble. Two such instances. In both I was breathing hard with fear swelling up around my chest and head. Under such duress, I think that I did an acceptable job of staying cool and correcting bad situations as best I could. The physical risk to my person was not in fact very great, although some equipment was at significant peril. I came away without harm for which I am grateful.

Peter and I were surveying a stretch of Mill Crekk that runs past a minimum security correctional facility. It is one of three that the stream fronts in the area of Salem. The least prominent of the three, it sits a ways out of town and was in former times a 2200 acre working farm. Now much of that property has been sold. A smallish four story cellblock and a few acres of ungrazed pastue remain.

We were both stoked to be doing the survey by boat, and overall we had a lot of fun. It was sobering to float past guys looking down at us from the yard upslope. We both imagined that they felt a sense of longing to see two guys meandering and exploring the gravel bars.

The details of how I got in trouble on the water I am going to spare for now. Ask me about them when you see me. My experience in a kayak is limited, and the routine of hopping in and out of the boat in the shallows, conducting surveys, etc. was hard to get used to. The second go round will find me more proficient and confident.

We had a lovely float back down at the end of the day. I tried to let go of the stress and be in the flow. Riffling water, warm air, trees, sunlight. Keep your nose pointed downstream and you'll be alright.