

Every summer of my life I have lived 10 min. from the river. No matter where I live or where I travel to, I have always managed to be home by the river in the summers. Soaking up the sun and braving the cold rapids to get to my favorite rocks. Letting out a loud whoop when the first splash of frigid water hits you in the face as your raft shoots over the waves. This summer I live in a suburb with a pool. I took a dip today and it was extremely refreshing. I realized how much I miss swimming; how it makes me feel like a little kid and completely pleased with the world around me. Lakes have a natural calmness to them. Oceans are strikingly beautiful and powerful. Pools are a fun substitute. Every body of water has it's attributes, but I speak the language of the river with it's currents, eddys, small and large rapids, and Y's that give you a choice of which way to go. I'm enjoying my summer here, but summer isn't summer without jumping from gray to tan rocks, sprinting over grass onto sand and into pebbles in the shallow water. It isn't summer without the squeak of hot blue rubber as you pump up your rafts and put your spray skirts on. Tighten up your life jacket and grab a paddle and your river shoes embrace your big toe.
In July I'll be back on the river and my it will be sweet.