Downriver Wonder

Canoeing down the Shenandoah River is exhilarating, relaxing, challenging, and frightening all melded together. After a fantastic breakfast,HH, HS, and I set out for an adventure Downriver. It has been a long time since I have been in a canoe. I've kayaked plenty over the last number of years, but as my sis will tell you, my ability to be a good paddler in a canoe is overturned by my desire to also be...well..in charge. It's hard to put all your confidence in the stern man. I wanted a relationship builder for the three of us. How else to do this than head out in a canoe with my dear men?

The five stages of canoeing downriver:

Exhilarating-
The South Fork of the Shenandoah is well known for its canoeing. The river meanders like a long snake twisting and curling up along the Shenandoah mountains. Class I and II rapids are inner disbursed with areas of tranquil flow. I love that they thought about sharing the experience they had with me. HH and HS two weeks prior to us canoeing together had enjoyed a trip with HS's Boy Scout Troop. With 12 miles of river and about 4 hours of paddle time ahead of us, we were excited just to get in the canoe and start.

Relaxing-
In the moments we weren't paddling, it was amazing how calm and relaxing the river proved to be. Cattle munched on grass near the riverbank and mooed as they cooled themselves in the water. Turtles soaked in the rays from branches and stumps peering from their perches as we glided past. Spectacular colorful dragonflies flitted and zoomed around the canoe showcasing brilliant hues of color. Herons hunted and flew with their lumbar bodies soaring near the surface of the river as fish darted beneath.

Challenging-
With only a map and our instinct guiding our path down the river, we paddled our way towards "The Ledge" and "Mill River Run" navigating around tips of rocks and inner tube partiers. Determining the best route must come from the mutual effort of teamwork. HH was in the stern and was responsible for turning and moving the canoe. HS sat in the middle and assisted in the paddling. I sat in the bow and acted as the scout and paddled my heart out to keep the canoe going quickly through the rapids. My eyes were constantly scanning the water for obstructions or hidden dangers.

Frightening-
One section of the river allows you to chart away from the river and follow an old mill's run off. "Hazard Mill" is aptly named. HS was determined to attempt it after the older scouts came back from their adventure raving about the experience they had. As we came upon the turn-off leading us onto the run, I gave one last Scout advice. The water appears low. Well, we headed in anyway. The views here were gorgeous. Larger than life heron stood guard as though sentinels of a hidden world. We navigated as well as we could. We got stuck several times and had to pull our senses together enough to press on down and through the Hazard Mill as it spilled us back into the tranquil pace of the Shenandoah. The water in Hazard Mill flowed fast, the rapids foamed, and we were a drift as if we were a small Autumn leaf swirling in the current.

Wonder-
The beauty of a river is visible from standing on the riverbank. However, the wonder of God's touch is more visible from immersing yourself into the very soul of the river. The Shenandoah River is filled with wonder. With each bend a new glimmer of beauty was laid in front of us. It felt as though time were standing still. The beat of dragonfly wings,the thrill of exploration, and popping of water as it splashed off the bow of the canoe filled us.

As we finished our journey, I glanced at the two gentlemen who wanted to share a previous memory they had together with me. I am so glad they wanted to enjoy the river with me. It was a day of Downriver wonder.