We had to route our canoe through the forest on the Black River on Sunday, with a detour around a huge log jam.
This is the normal tranquility of the Black River. It is one of the premier paddle routes in Lewis County. We've done the river about six times, putting in at different places.
As we paddled along, the river got more shallow, and the aquatic plants were visible with their new green growth. It is really enchanting to glide down a river with these long plants swaying right under the canoe.
Winter storms have really changed the river. One huge tree had been blown down during a storm, blocking the river and creating a ten-foot high blockage.
We had to decide whether to abbreviate our paddle and head back, or try to pull the canoe through the thick shrubs and brush, skirting around the fallen tree. We were both game to try to pull it through and keep going. This was the first of about four difficult places on the river, requiring some heft to pull ourselves through. We enjoyed it though, like a couple of kids exploring, to see how far they could go. I thought of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, and of the fun my kids would have had if they had joined us. This is part of the fun of canoeing. Always, there is the comment, "Well, let's see if we can get through here", or "Lets try that!" Others had gone around the big tree too, and had bushwacked through the forest, making a trail for us.However, after climbing over beaver dams, floating log-jams, and underneath little caverns of overhanging brush, I was glad to call it a day.We'd spent all day out on the water, and I was really tired. When we got home at 5:30, I had a strong cup of coffee and had to lay down for several hours. Just exhausted. But, when it is over and done, we laugh about what we have done, playing outside with the sunshine on our backs. Just like a couple of kids.
