16.6 miles downriver and 1 mile back upriver!

I woke up thinking about the importance of being recognized and having a sense of purpose in life. The campsite we were staying in had a family with three young children at it. These kids wanted to help us do everything. They helped us set up our tents, lay out our sleeping bags and pads and take the gear out of our boats. In the morning they helped me with my cart, they helped take down the tents and repack the boats. They even pulled our boats back to the river. They wanted to help with everything and in the helping they were wanting to be recognized and feel useful.

I also thought about names. It seems a human desire to give names to everything from stars, rocks and birds to babies. Somehow having a name for my boat increased my fondness for her. Jenny was feeling more like an entity then just a thing.

I have a really bad memory for names. These three youngsters ranging from four through nine all had fairly unusual names and I was having trouble remembering them. Zayden, a seven year old boy, especially kept correcting me. He really wanted me to have his name right.

After a delightful breakfast of pancakes prepared by Angela, we set off in the glassy morning calm. I mused about the lack of purpose I have often felt in my life. I feel I have a lot of talents but have been unable to use them in a way that makes much difference in the world. I think it is one reason I write. I want to feel that what I do might have at least some positive impact on someone else.

Just like my life this river was taking a lot of twists and turns. There were times in these last two days when I had actually been paddling north on my southern journey to the sea. The river on the border of Vermont twists back around on itself enough times to be close to one hundred miles longer than the state itself.

I supposed it was like my life had been. Many times I have felt I was going backwards in my journey of personal growth and healing. But eventually I always emerged from the twists and headwinds threatening to throw me backwards, into a place of forward progress. The trick was to keep going no matter the struggle.

It was a pretty uneventful paddle down river on this Fourth of July. The upcoming Wilder Dam created a backlog of water that again made the river feel more like a lake. This left my mind wandering and thinking about freedom. I know that not all people experience freedom, even in this country. It varies so much depending on one’s race, gender, economic status and so much more. When I saw a deer drinking from the river I thought about the lack of freedom so many animals have because of human actions. I am able to carry water and not drink out of the Connecticut River, but the animals who live here do not have that ability. They are forced to drink whatever chemical waste humans let leach into the river.

Luckily there were some gorgeous sights to pull me out of my reverie. Once again the reflections of driftwood into the glassy water were spectacular, as were some of the flowers blooming on the shore. I made sure to take advantage of my last day of paddling with people to enjoy their company. It was fun to have them to share with me the spotting of a brightly colored Baltimore oriole.

I looked forward to reaching Hanover, New Hampshire and my old stomping grounds. I used to live near here and have two friends who walked down to the bridge to wave as I went under. One of them is almost 98 years old and still mows her own lawn and shovels her driveway of snow. I chatted with them for a while and then caught up to Angela and Celia who had gone ahead.

When we arrived at the take out near the dam where my car was to be left by Lisa and Lincoln we realized we had a problem. The fire department was setting up to shoot fireworks off there. They were not allowing cars to enter the the area. They even had the docking area roped off to prevent boats from landing. There was no way I could get my car here.

Celia and I took a quick run to the portage take out so I would have that part of the river done. Then the three of us paddled back up river to another landing. I managed to get a hold of Lisa and Lincoln and tell them our new location. Soon after Angela, Celia and I pulled our boats out of the river and up to the parking lot, Lisa and Lincoln arrived with my car. We had a joyous reunion before Lisa and Lincoln headed home. Angela and her husband Brad helped me get my boat loaded onto my car. Then we said our goodbyes and parted ways.

Knowing it was going to be a rainy day the next day I decided to spend the night and take a day off with my friends in Hanover. Dot had left my dinners with them and staying there would give me time to repack my food supplies which had been packed in units of two for both Dot and I. I knew I could eat enough for two but I did not have room for that much in my boat. It also gave me time to try to figure out where to leave a car next so that I could get home when I needed to.

As I drove toward Pip and Betty’s house I felt I was paddling up river. There was a current of cars heading in the opposite direction, all going to view the fireworks. I usually love fireworks, but I was loving even more the thought of visiting with my friends and catching up on my writing. I was ready to settle in for the night.