14.4 miles from Woodsville to Vaughn Meadow Campsite

Today really became a day of going with the flow. We woke in the beautiful home of my friend Nancy Tucker and her husband Jay. They had put me up on my bike trip last fall and it was lovely to get to visit with them again. We shared a leisurely breakfast and walked down to a sweet little landing that Jay had constructed on the edge of their property which butts up to the Ompompanoosuc river.

While Dot gave Nancy some tips about how to cane a chair seat, I thought about what a wonderful circle sharing can be. Nancy was sharing her home with us and Dot was sharing her knowledge with Nancy. I also thought about how this trip, like all my others, is about the journey and the people I meet more than about simply reaching an endpoint.

Dot had decided to join me for two more days so we set one car thirty miles down river and headed out. We had no portages for 40 miles! We did, however, have some unexpected quick-water to navigate.

The current was moving fast enough to push my now fully loaded boat where it wanted me to go. In some places the river was so shallow that I kept hitting rocks. In other stretches white capped waves washed over the bow of my boat making me glad I had my spray skirt on.

A few times I wanted to go in one direction but the river pulled me in another. I knew that going with the flow of the main current is often the best way to go so I gave in. Of course this got me thinking about all the times in my life when I have chosen to go against the flow. I was glad that with age I had learned a balance between always bucking the system and sometimes following the norm. Learning to accept what I have no control over and to make the best of what is thrown my way has made my life easier. But I am also glad for the experiences I have had as a result of following my own personal flow rather than the flow of the norm.

I encountered another big go with the flow experience later that evening. We were taking a short break at the boat launch near Newbury when Dot received word that her ninety-seven-year-old mother was in the hospital. After a bit of strategizing, and the help of her friend Kyle, we were able to get Dot and her boat back to her car so she could return home.

I set off alone realizing that losing Dot had turned this into a very different trip. I though of all the people I have lost in my life. My father died when I was just barely thirteen years old. Some friends of mine have also died. Some I have lost touch with over time and distance. Others have parted ways with me in ways that feel painful and sad. I try to hold onto the positive that each person has brought into my life and have compassion for those who seem closed down to connection. I find it really sad when someone completely distances from a relationship rather than taking the opportunity to grow by working through the difficult moments. I was glad that while I had physically lost Dot on this trip, she was not gone from my life.

I made it the four miles downriver to my campsite in just about an hour. The Vaughan Meadows Campsite was a lovely place and I was surprised to have it to myself on this Fourth of July weekend. After setting up camp I realized I had none of the dinners I had so carefully dehydrated. Luckily I had cell service and called Dot to make arrangements to get the food back in two days. Other friends were joining me in the morning for two days of paddling and they were bringing enough dinner to share with me. I pulled out some of my spare lunch food and had a good enough evening meal, grateful that I usually carry a bit extra. It was just another experience of going with the flow!

As I drifted off to sleep I felt some pride in my ability to adapt to major changes without feeling stressed. I was curious to see where the flow would take me next!