On wood planks tied together, Paul pushes off from the mudbank and hops on board into calm water as we find equilibrium, he steers with a rudderlog as I look down meandering river winding water snakes through trees overhanging green leaves flutter down and float alongside as swallows swoop pivot dart down to splash smooth surface for waterbug food, blue heron neck first from perch with arduous flaps to gain momentum, further ahead a stout golden eagle takes off shakes the branches snap and out in front of us, flaps fading in perspective as they fly down river then vanish into the leaves, mallard family on the opposite shore next to rocks filled with silent sunning turtles, least resistance easy slow floating life abound around the water source, deer drinking looks up at us and then continues to sip. “How far do we have to go?” “A ways.” “How will we know where to stop?” “We’ll see a standing stone.”
ssssshhhhhhhhhhh in the distance…
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