Monocacy River Float
Part 3 – Sunday, May 26, 2013
Twenty five miles later I pull up onto a beach for the night. The sun is still high in the sky. Today’s travel has been a good one. I am ready to set camp. This beach is bigger than last night’s. It has amble firewood. After last night’s fire of twigs, I take out the folding saw and collect larger fire fuel. I break a sweat in doing so.
Whitetail deer drinking at the Monocacy River
Today’s weather has been perfect. The sun shined. The cool air held a light breeze; some times in my favor pushing me along, while at other times, I had to work against the wind. By day’s end the wind had been with me more than against. A real blessing.
Today I saw more deer than yesterday. Several crossing the river, others standing along the bank.
Whitetail deer standing along the Monocacy River
Today I saw a Bald Eagle. Even after seeing large groups numbering in the twenties while in Alaska, a mature Bald Eagle with its’ majestic white head against the stark black body remains one of my favorite encounters in the wild.
In all, I have seen ten different clutches of wood ducks. Today I saw more mallards than yesterday.
Wood Duck hen protecting her chics
At noon today, I came upon a small town; left the canoe tied along the river and went to the general store for tea. OK, so, I got to Frederick and stopped at the Wal-Mart for a candy bar and soda. But I did get the tea.
With each destination sought, there are unknown waters between the beginning and end. Conquering those long miles between is what makes the destination worth the toil.
The second day of a journey can be the hardest. The first is filled with the joy of new beginnings. The last is filled with the excitement of accomplishment. Those days that separate beginning and end are the ones filled with work. Around each bend is another straight stretch of river. At the end of each straight length lies a bend. Today’s section of river was new to me. Unknown rapids, slow deep waters, separations in the river, causing a decision as to which run to take, sat around each curve.
After a long day of paddling, dinner is served, water front style.
Today I learned that with each slow deep section of easy water, swift rushing rapids are sure to follow. I enjoyed the slow times, taking time to reflect and prepare for the excitement of the fast, possibly dangerous, waters sure to come; resembling the river of life.
With each destination sought, there are unknown waters between the beginning and end. Conquering those long miles between is what makes the destination worth the toil. However, while destinations are often reached, the real reward lies within the experiences gathered along the journey.
Reading a little Hemingway after a long day on the river.
Preparation of the Journey
The First Day on the River
The first Night Sleeping on the River Bank
