November 7, 2004

Last Grasps

When I came back from the bathroom, the leaf was gone. Nothing is powerful enough to stop winter.

In Kanes Creek I took a few pictures. The ducks took flight before I even got close and the two eagles I saw headed deeper into the refuge as soon as they saw my red kayak.

Much of the vegetation is now gone from the creek and finding the channel a bit more difficult. A few times I had to back out of where I had paddled to look for deeper water, but I finally made it to the back of the creek and turned around.

I took a few more pictures along the way, and as I rounded a bend found myself face to face with a buck and doe. The doe moved to the edge of some trees and stopped, while the buck froze in place switching his attention between the doe and myself. They both managed to stay like this while I pulled my camera out from under the deck lines and took a few pictures. Looking back up from securing the camera I found both were gone, as if they had never existed.

Back at the car top launch I waded out knee deep to wipe the scum off my kayak. The icy water stung my legs as I moved around the boat with a sponge. I think it is time to switch to my dry suit. I've held on to trying to stop winter long enough and like that leaf, it is time to let go.

Pictures

Woody