The River – Old School

Or maybe I should say, old school style with modern outfitters . . .

***

As the gorge narrowed the wind picked up, and the air temperature noticeably dropped.  The calming frequency of the soft rush of the water shifted timbre.  Now cascading, surging ever faster downward, as the amplitude of the waves, both in size and pitch, increased to a deafening roar.

We hung on tight with both hands as the V-shaped bow and rigid hull sliced into the first wave, but the second was much larger.  And the small vessel skirted straight up its crest, reminiscent of a mighty ocean sailing ship in a surging Atlantic storm, but in miniature.

At the oarsman’s skillful command, the boat shifted sideways as it rolled down into the trough in time for the next wave to crest high above our heads.  Crashing down, completely drenching us, the flare of the hull offering no protection.  Filling the open compartments to the frame’s brim.

Our laughter could be heard above the roar of the rapids as we bailed.

The Only Paradise

Photo: From my recent journey to the West Coast.

I have been told that mobile users are unable to see the “Feature Pic” when it is added on a desktop or laptop, so I’m including it in the text as well in hopes that mobile readers will be able to view it.  WordPress does have its glitches.

In Metta

 

Binding Energy

I’ve always loved the sciences.  Even as a little kid, I enjoyed studying the various phenomena of our planet and learning about all of the processes going on with all of the different species.  Even the things people look at as being inanimate, like rocks and their geological history.

And us human animals too.  Now there’s a science project!

It’s just totally fascinating examining the diversity of species, all stemming from common DNA, and all of the electrical, chemical, and biomechanical energy and interactions that make us living, breathing, functioning organisms.

And all of us many species are so interrelated and interconnected.  And so interdependent on maintaining a balance for survival.  A microscopic, microcosmic juggling act of such immense proportions that it’s hard to wrap your mind around.

Of course, there’s even more as you delve into mind and spirit.  And what of the nature of the heart?

Hard to express those with a mathematical formula.  Maybe someday, someone will figure out a way to do that. 😊

And as much as I enjoy the study of the sciences, I’m not exactly a math wizard.  And there is lots of math involved.  And it’s been many years since I sat in some of those classrooms.  So, let’s just say that to this day, I remain a huge fan and student of conceptual physics and chemistry, among other things.

And there are many concepts that are adaptable, in principle, to many other concepts, at least metaphorically.  And what better way to have fun as a wordsmith than to blend and mix and blur and enjoy.

So, today’s subject from the blender is binding energy.

And the Water Falls

On its continuous circle back to the sea . . .

 

Mosquito Hawk

Yes, it’s another Dragonfly, who calmly posed for me.  And I do like their nickname – the Mosquito Hawk, because they eat so many of those pesky critters.

And the Standing People Say . . .

Each day right now bears some similarities, and also many differences.

As I drive out to the next trailhead there is a certain level of anxiety encroaching.

That’s the similarity.

But it’s not my anxiety.  It belongs to others.

Ran Out of Westward Roads . . .

Had to turn South . . .

 

I hope that peace and joy are surrounding you this day.

In Metta

 

A Portal to Another Dimension

Tell me where you think it leads, or maybe where you’d like it to lead . . .

When You’re Headed West . . .

Yes, the sun rises behind you.

That’s what those side mirrors are for. 🙂

The old, one-handed while driving cell phone shot.

I wanted to offer my apologies as I’m in motion right now and may be absent or here sporadically for a while.  Hopefully, I’ll return occasionally with a good tale or two.  And, of course, to catch up on all of your great posts!

So far, the wildlife and wildflowers have been amazing !  Pics to follow too.

In Metta

 

 

Shuffled – “Here’s Looking at You Kid”

A couple of days ago, I noticed that a reader had liked one of my posts from February.  Now that’s a great thing because it wasn’t one of the stories that was “pinned” to my home page then.  Generally speaking, our older posts drift backward in time and out of the spotlight as we write new ones.  So the reader had to take a little time to hunt this one down.  Or maybe they just stumbled upon it.  Either way, I was happy they found it.

And then I noticed that this particular piece, Coffee, had one of the highest number of likes of all of my posts.

Query

So, I’m walking backwards today.  I’ve often said I do things backwards in life, in terms of my career growth, progression of tackling various challenges, both mental and physical, etc.  But today, I’m applying this to writing a post for the blog.

I usually get some type of thought bubble, stumble upon related materials and then try to link them all together.  A draft comes together.  I polish and post it.  And I enjoy, and learn from, the comments that follow.

Today, I’m going to ask for comments before I write.  Yes, the backwards approach.

Serpents and Milkweeds

I was out of breath as I reached the top of the bluff.  But it was worth the hike.  I now had a falcon’s-eye view out over the South Fork of the Snake River.  Absolutely beautiful.

The sprawling flood plain to the East was fully plowed and planted.  Potatoes, wheat, and alfalfa.  And maybe a few specialty crops lay low in the distance.  Broccoli, cauliflower, rhubarb, and cabbage.  Casting different hues of green.  Forest green to fern, to mantis, to dark pastel, to castelton.

The Star Beneath Our Feet

The wind picked up as I hit the fourth mile mark.  The warm breeze wrapped around my face and lifted upward and to the East.

It had been a cool fifty degrees when I started my trek an hour and a half earlier, but once the sun crested thirty degrees above the horizon the temperature had been in a steady climb and was fueling the wind gusts that reminded you that the invisible vapor we breath is a powerful force.  One not to misjudge.  It is tornado season after all.