We work a full day and then drive into the night to keep from wasting another day. The weekends are short and there is much to be done at the Daybook Cottage. We are focused and motivated by our to-do lists. We take the stress with us not even realizing it came along. Not until we let the river run through us, do we find our sense of calmness and appreciate that life is right here.
Staying Focused
Over the weekend we hustled down I-75 with a plan to complete several checklists and begin moving furniture into our cottage. I want to tell you all about the 1940s house we purchased in Florida. It is a fun story, but one I want to give my full attention to, so you won’t miss a thing. I promise I will share this soon. If you’ve read many of my posts, you know I love nature and all that it offers us. I wonder why I so quickly forget to give it credit.
Let The River Run
We accomplished a lot during the weekend, but the time we spent zoning out, floating down the river, and letting our minds meander are the moments that stick. These are the moments I long to revisit. I hope to do these things again and again. Oh, yea, I am thrilled about the many boxes we checked on our lists, but I realized more about where I want to go, how quickly time passes, and what nature can teach us in the three hours we let the river run through us than I did during all the heavy lifting and cleaning.
The River
Saturday morning was our river time. He just wanted to be sure the boat motor was running okay. I simply wanted to be in the sun for a while and take pictures. We both had our excuses for stopping our work and getting on the water. Deep down, our memories of being on the river drove our desire to go back. Our souls know the benefits of being in nature. We do not need an excuse.
The River Carries Us
Our approach to letting the river run through us is as different as we are from one another. This is what makes it all work so well. I spend the first few minutes on the water arranging my backpack, unpacking my camera, and making sure nothing is rattling in the boat. He cranks the motor, hits the expected idling speed, and has his shirt off within seconds. We are set. The river begins to carry us, and it steals the stress that traveled with us down I-75.
Can't Just Float Past
The boats parked along the river hold such intriguing mysteries. Many of them are tied in the same spot as last year. Often the sails are beginning to tear and the green moss quietly creeps along the topside. Some of these are homes to men and their dogs or charter and fishing businesses while others set up stories in my mind. My imagination begins to roam. Curiosity about the insides of these seemingly abandoned ships gives me a good laugh but also feels a bit eerie. I’m never able to just float past. I have more pictures of these ships than you would want to see.
Quiet The Motor
Just as we approach the first cove, he quietly says “straight ahead, look up.” I grab my camera and fumble to get focused. A bald eagle is perched on a deciduous tree that looks like it has been drawn with a Sharpie against the morning sky. I like to think this is the same eagle we’ve seen on other adventures down this river. Today, the eagle has a partner, and both are minding their own business. John begins to navigate the boat. He knows the routine. Quiet the motor, turn the boat around, and be sure I am in the perfect spot. He has a hard job but he always gets it right. I, on the other hand, try my best to get the perfect picture but I’m not sure there is such a thing. The eagles sit without making much fuss. There is a lot I can learn from them.
Shallow Water Has Purpose
Letting the river run through us is never as simple as it sounds. Yes, you can take the straight course down the river and land in the Gulf. We never do that. I guess that would be too easy. Today we found ourselves on a new path in shallow water. While catching last night’s sunset, we were told about a shortcut to quiet fishing corners, so we chose the less traveled path in search of something new.
To get there we had to go through the tall grasses and reeds. The underpass was calling our names because you must go under to arrive. A long bamboo pole is not an optional piece of equipment when you go down the river with us. You may never need it, but when you do, you will be so grateful for it. It serves as a depth finder, a steering wheel, and even a rudder. Yes, the water is shallow here and we had to prove it. I move into fight or flight mode while he takes control of the situation and loves every minute of it. In the end, it was a good choice. We now have an excellent fishing spot. The otters came out to guide us in hopes of catching a few leftover bait bucket goodies. Little did they know they were sent to distract and calm me as I prayed the bamboo didn’t snap.
Drifting
While other boats are focused on their destination, our boat drifts towards nature. I’m in constant pursuit of wildlife, usually birds along the coastline, turtles sunning on the fallen trees, or manatees coming to the surface for a breath. Today we coasted right past a gator. He was warming in the sun along the bank. Like the eagle, minding his own business. We killed the motor and drifted towards him until he dove in and likely swam right under our boat. I captured the picture while appearing calm.
Let The River Run Through Us
We follow the channel makers as we catch sight of the Gulf. Green squares and red triangles show us the way to deep waters. Marker 33 is where we float out of line. We shut off the motor and drifted. You will find quiet and solitude outside of the marker buoys. Dolphins scoot past us quickly; they stay on the course and move swiftly. I spread a towel on the warm flat metal surface and lay back in the sun. It is February and the sun’s warmth is a gift I do not want to leave. I shyly place the tips of my toes in the cold splashing water. I let my feet go deeper. I stay there as long as time allows and rest my back on the warm top of the boat. The sky is clear and blue. My mind ceases to focus on my numb toes and begins to clear. All in a matter of minutes we left so much behind and let the river run through us.
Life At Idle Speed
The river allows me to slow down and turn my focus on being calm. Nature has a way of gathering our senses and making sure we experience them all. I often take the gift of my senses for granted, but over time they make life worth living and are the root of our memories. For this, we don’t have to go to the river, the Gulf, or anywhere unusual. These kinds of things are right in front of us day after day. A change in focus is right in our backyard. Every day is a new opportunity to slow the boat to idle speed, awaken our senses, and let a river run through us.
Stay Curious,
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