ssssshhhhhhhSHHHH steam in sunlight on water surface where the cool creek joins the warm river adding to momentum starting to pick up now so no need to paddle, Paul points ahead at a boulder bulging like an island in the middle of the river, choose a side, above it black birds of prey soaring in slow circles as we approach we see the bubbling spumes and white noise getting louder SSSSSSSSHH the current picking up, SSSSSSHHHHHHH, Paul slows us down to scout a seam through the treacherous rocks, searching for the smooth spot, a path of least resistance, watch as a branch floats through for a ways before hitting a rock and swirling under out of sight, hold on tight and hope, “if we capsize, float on your back, butt first,” he picks the way and lets the current take us with paddle ruddering behind SSSSSSHHHHHHHHHH