On Rivers

by marjasisu, posted in Camp Many Moons

They’re always moving. Sometimes the movement is barely perceptible and sometimes it’s raucous or even violent. But it’s always present.

And there’s another way that rivers are like most people. Sometimes you can see to the bottom, but usually not. The full story of what lives under the surface…what it hides, protects or nurtures… is seen only by the determined and patient. (Or brave enough to poke around.) Those were my thoughts while exploring the Huron River during a recent camp-out. Photos and captions below.

At the Mouth of the Huron, on Lake Superior’s south shore, most people camp on the lakeshore. On this visit, we camped on the riverside, a short walk from the lake. You can see the river through the trees of this bluff. (You can also see my hammock. I use it just for reading and naps, but some people sleep in them overnight.) I slept in my tent and Jeff used his truck camper.
I brought my hard paddleboard along. I’ve used inflatable boards for many years and have taken them everywhere, but I bought this hard one – used, from a rental company — for this kind of outing. I feel more secure knowing a hidden branch or rock can’t poke a hole in it.
See what I mean? This river is so murky, it’s hard to know what lies under this stump. I went out in early evening to catch the setting sun, which causes reflections like this.
And this.
Even when the sun is very low, you still get that reflection, especially when the water appears still. But it’s moving – quietly. Sometimes I stop paddling to see if I’ll keep moving. Yes. Always. Have you ever seen a sleeping person who was so still, you wondered for a moment if they were dead? When you look closely, you see the chest rising and falling. The river is like that. If you still yourself enough, you see the movement.
After going upstream, I paddled downstream towards the mouth, where the sun was still “up”…
…and out into the lake, where the Huron Islands were visible. After a restless night in the tent (because I always hear the sounds of nature, including night birds), I woke at sunrise…
…to take another river paddle. Those leaves aren’t turning color early; they’re  illuminated by the rising sun. See why it’s worth a restless night and early wake-up? Soon after sunrise, the skies clouded over. (Funny how the horizon often clears at sunrise and sunset, even if clouded the rest of the day. It has something to do with Earth’s rotation and atmospheric refractions.)
Even when overcast, the river was magical. I paddled a few miles upriver until I got a bit nervous about being alone without a phone signal. But worth the nervousness? You bet! Then, a few days after the quiet Huron River, I was in a much louder one…
…the Slate River, which treats determined hikers to many waterfalls. (You need determination because in order to reach the waterfalls, you must either skitter down a steep bank or walk in the river itself. Our hiking group walked in the river, which is much calmer than this in most places.)
The water and air were both warm that day so I entered the falls and was treated to a vigorous back massage. I wasn’t the only one who went into the waterfall. These are hardy hikers.
A fellow hiker and I played at the edge of a rock ledge, both wearing quick-dry hiking clothes…perfect for both keeping off the bugs and for river-bathing. I saw a 3rd river, too, last week…
…the placid Ravine River across from my place, where it enters Huron Bay. I took the rowboat this time and had to get out and push a few times in shallow spots.
Speaking of the rowboat, I took Boo out in it–but not too far out. It’s true she lived on a moving boat for about six months, but that boat kept her well above the water — except for the time she fell in. Yes, she was just fine! Swam like a champ until I jumped in to get her. I admit I wasn’t fine. A bit freaked out, to be honest. But now I know she can handle it, so I take her out like this once in awhile. Sometimes I let her out close to shore and let her swim in. Just to remind her that she’s safe.
And then there’s the loons. I didn’t see these guys on a river…I’ve never seen them on a river…but had to throw this in here anyway. I hear loons often on Huron Bay, and see them at a distance, but they always fly off when I get close. These guys on Keweenaw Bay let me approach. I don’t know why. I will happily live with that mystery. 🙂

PS: If you plan to take up paddling or other water sports, keep in mind that the calmest water time is almost always morning and evening. If you sail, you’ll want afternoon. Otherwise, it’s best to avoid it.

3 thoughts on “On Rivers”

  1. Lovely blog and you’re paddling on my home turf. It is beautiful, isn’t! I’m right across the Bay from you, just a 15 minute paddle from the Ravine River.

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