The River

~~~A slight take on my first blog entry… I only saw fit to add a bit more insight and to reflect on my boy and my life. Little shout out for the man of the hour...all these photos provided by Mr. Curt Joyce ( visit www.theperpetualflow.com to see more of his work)~~~



I have met a person whose true love is being on the river. Paddling down stream, the stillness in the beginning brings calmness to his soul through the steady easy flow and the peaceful course of water. The beauty of the earth surrounds him to all sides; the trees seem to embrace the waters, the branches reaching out, and the sun shining through. The water at times acts as his sanctuary, giving him time to reflect on life and fill his spirit. The quiet sounds of nature create the music for his time to think, his time to bite his lip in concentration, and his time to wonder what is next in this crazy life.



Then the steady stream takes him to the unbelievable rapids and amazing waterfalls that take his breath away. Without even knowing the falls give him a courage that drives his soul in this life, and an aliveness that radiates from him through his eyes and his smile. He has what so many people yearn for in life, incredible passion that brings him a powerful steadiness in an ever-changing life of tents and wilderness. The water is his canvas and as he paddles downstream he is creating beautiful art that impels him and inspires others along the way.





He is a country boy at heart, listens to blue grass, a bit rough around the edges but with a true gentleness that shines through his words. Living life in the moment and enjoying it as it comes. His home is a tent, with nature his walls. His endless ceiling is amazing skies that sparkle with such brilliance that they act as his lamp to give him his light to walk down his path. His life is ever-changing and his passion ever-growing, and he is embracing all that this life throws at him with a gentle ease and sweet simplicity.



Today I was able to once again get on the river with Curt. This time around he taught me to Kayak… As I paddled around, getting the hang of it, I was enamored. I was with my boy on a breath taking day, surrounded by massive wonders and amazing views. I fell back in love with the water and felt content once again. As I drove around the beautiful White Salmon River today, I thought about how I feel Curt helps me open my eyes to new loves, and a fresh world. I in turn help him to slow down, catch his breath and enjoy it all on this bumpy ride. We have to say, we make a pretty good team.



This new chapter, as new and unknown as it is, is exactly where I should be. Today I saw endless skies and continuous waters. I knew that the steady, constant, unchanging yet completely matchless waters represent so much to me at this point in my life. As I keep on learning to paddle the open water I will continue to look up, and follow the path that is laid out. Today I am excited the path is leading me down beautiful rivers in the middle of nowhere yet completely in the center of everything.