17.4 Miles to Roaring Brook Campsite

What a surprising day today was! I spent a relaxing morning writing before packing up to meet a friend and her college-aged daughter who wanted to paddle with me for two days. The timing worked out well in that having them along would help me transition away from having Dot as a paddling partner to solo paddling. I enjoyed seeing the multitude of animal tracks by the river’s edge while putting in. Deer, raccoon, skunk and a multitude of insect and bird feet had all left their mark on this bank since I had stopped the evening before.

It felt good to move at my own speed over the four miles I had before meeting up with Angela and Celia. I enjoyed the feel in my body as I plied my paddle and made long, strong strokes, moving my boat at just over four miles an hour. The water was glassy, as it often was in the mornings before the wind picked up.

I sang as I went, glad that no one could hear me. I love to sing and remember the words to hundreds of songs. Unfortunately I have trouble staying on tune. I am thinking that even at my age I may take some singing lessons. I don’t ever expect to be great at it, but I want to be able to enjoy hearing myself sing.

As I found my paddling strokes coming into rhythm with the song, I thought of all the workers over the years who have used music as a way to ease their work burdens. I find it sad that schools have relished art and music to lesser realms then other subjects.

I was getting into more populated areas the farther south I went. On this Fourth of July weekend there were many motor boats in the river. As I rode up and over the wake they left behind, I was reminded that boats have names. I decided then and there that I wanted a name for my boat. I had no idea how it would come about.

As I paddled downriver keeping an eye out for my friends I watched how the wind slowly came up and created small ripples on the water. I loved the way the water made the invisible wind visible.

I met up with Angela and Celia exactly at our planned rendezvous time of 9:30 AM. After paddling a quick four miles in one hour it felt good to relax into their slower two mile per hour pace. Together, at that slower speed, we took time to listen to the sights and sounds surrounding us. We identified many birds, including kingbirds, kingfishers, chestnut sided and yellow warblers and more. We took pictures of the dinosaur-like river monster and were awestruck by the view of the Fairlee Palisades from the vantage of the river.

I mused on the difference perspective makes. I had seen these cliffs from the road, and been on top of many like them. Yet from this low river perch, these cliffs seemed much more spectacular than I had ever seen them. I recognized that the perspective I take can affect how any situation feels. I reminded myself to apply that knowledge to my situation with my not-yet ex-husband.

Our first date had been on the Fourth of July, so of course he was on my mind. I was still sad at how it had ended, but from the new perspective I had gained after two years of adventuring, I was beginning to see that his leaving had opened doors for me that never would have opened otherwise. It might not have been my choice, but by going with the flow and looking at it from a new perspective, I was slowly crawling out of a deep hole and creating a new life for myself.

Just when we were ready to stop for lunch, I began chatting with a boatload of people. After they learned about my trip they invited us up to their campground for lunch. Of course I accepted the invitation!

As I was telling them about my adventures, Lisa said, “You’re just like Forrest Gump.” When I mentioned I wanted a name for my boat, Lisa immediately piped up with “Jenny.” I loved the movie Forrest Gump and I loved the idea of naming my boat after his boat. How miraculous it was that just this morning I was wanting a name for my boat and now a perfect one had fallen into my lap!

We all marched down to my boat, Lisa with black sharpie in hand. There, this once orphaned kayak was christened “Jenny.” Lisa wrote it on the back and also on the front so I could see it as I paddled.

I had mentioned that my car was parked at a landing right next to their campsite. It is where Dot had planned on leaving. Now I wasn’t sure how I would get it downriver to my next resupply point. I didn’t hesitate a second when Lisa and Lincoln told me they would be driving south to Massachusetts the following day and could drop my car at a place that was much more convenient for me. How wonderful that I was able to trust people I had only known for an hour with the keys to my car, knowing they would do exactly what they said and shuttle it for me. I know a lot of people would never have done this, but I have met so many kind, wonderful people throughout my adventuring and I knew I could trust them. It gives me a sense of hope when the world around me feels like it is spinning off kilter.

After I gave paddling lessons to some new paddlers, Angela, Celia and I got back in our boats and headed off to our campsite. Angela made a lovely dinner and after some Fourth of July celebration provided by other campers at the site we settled in for a well deserved sleep.