Soon the aroma of coffee and bacon wafted into the room and I rolled out of my sleeping bag. Nothing like camp coffee and bacon to get one's juices flowing, and I'm no exception.
The morning was spectacular, and as I stepped outside I felt a pang of remorse that I had missed the sunrise. The remnants of an early morning fog still floated above the river, and we watched as a few boats drifted by with only the upper torsos of the fishermen visible from the shoreline. It was a surreal scene, and lasted just a moment before it was gone. I tried to capture it with my camera, but the mist had already begun to lift.....leaving only a picture of a boat floating on the still waters of the river.
It was our last day of a four day excursion to Arkansas. Each year our group tries to schedule a few days in May to float and fish the beautiful rivers where we find peace, friendship, and an opportunity to rejuvenate the soul. The experiences we've had along the way simply add fodder for the stories that grow along with our ages.
This year was no exception. We had two of us doing our infamous "snake dance" when a slithery friend decided to drop into our boat from a low hanging branch, and of course, my very own, soon to be classic, "slow motion swan dive" from the bow of the boat.......geez I'll never live that one down.
This trip, however, had fewer epic events than previous outings when we saw a deer fall from a cliff and nearly capsize one of our pontoon boats, or the eight hour late-night float in absolute darkness, or the time we decided that we would brave the elements and launch our rafts into the flood waters in spite of the signs warning us of the danger. No, this trip was just about as peaceful as that last morning was beautiful. Good friends, good stories, and the scenic river views we all enjoy.
I'm already looking forward to next year's trip. Who knows what the future holds for us; certainly not me, for as everyone already suspects, What does Jack know!
