beyond the bow -- trip 51

Trip 51 was about as idyllic a trip as is possible. 

The temperature, both air and water, were slightly cool.  I was glad as the sun started to set that I had chosen a long sleeved shirt for this trip and I stored away the thought for the next trip that I might want to start wearing longer pants as well.

The water was smooth, at times as smooth as glass.  The sky was filled with fluffy clouds which made beautiful reflections in the water.  There were the occasional jumping fish and in the sky collections of birds traveling southward.  Also, the wonder of monarch butterflies provided a magical surprise to this particular trip.

We both love to listen to music as we paddle.  My favorite is John Doan's Eire- Isle of the Saints (A Celtic Odyssey).  I love the soothing sound of this Celtic music and since my mother was a Doan, (being a 12th generation descendent of Deacon John Doane) I love to think somewhere along the line perhaps this John Doan is somehow related to me.

I also have a sprinkling of Dan Fogelberg songs in my song mix, which would be no surprise to anyone who knows me.  I always love it when his song, "Song of the Sea" begins playing because it seems especially appropriate while we are out on the water.

The water, the sky, the breeze, the smell of the sea and the music I love all seem to have a refreshing and rejuvenating effect on me.  I can feel stress falling off my shoulders and into the water as I paddle and this trip was especially so.

As we neared the put-in, we sat still on our boats and watched the sunlight wane and the lights from shore begin to make long trails on the water.  I think this is one of the parts I enjoy the most, when we stop paddling and just enjoy the beauty that is all around us.  Neither of us say much, but we both know we are so thankful to share this wonderful experience with each other.

It was a wonderful start on the next fifty trips.