It wasn’t your typical Spring Break trip; in that it wasn’t somewhere far away, with other family members, or located within walking distance of a beach. Heck, it really wasn’t typical in any fashion or form, which is why it was perfect for me and helped to fill the void of wanting to do something adventurous over the couple of days that I had off from teaching. Although I have enjoyed a warm weather getaway a time or two in the past, it would not be this year with future travels already planned for graduations in different parts of the country later that spring. And so it was, that despite freezing cold temperatures predicted throughout the night, I decided to take to a wild river, in a relatively close vicinity, for an overnight camp out.
I gathered and prepared my gear without too much of an issue. And although getting the hefty canoe up on top of my Jeep was difficult without any help, I didn’t strain any tendons or pull any muscles, so I counted that as a success. At one point, however, while strapping down the Starcraft to my rooftop, I forgot that the darn thing hung down low on each end of the vehicle. After attaching the hook for one of the cam buckle straps, I walked around the back end of the Jeep so I could tighten down the canoe and secure it from the other side. Unfortunately I was looking down at another hook that I needed to attach to the trailer hitch and didn’t see the stern that was level with my noggin and ran headlong into it! It rang my bell and hurt like the dickens of course, but I remained eerily calm about it until I went inside to explain to my wife Cindy what I had done. Then I lost it for a few unsavory moments within the confines of my house. Once the initial pain had somewhat subsided, and I had regained my wits about me, I finished my preparations; all the while silently scoffing at myself for the self inflicted blunder.
Cindy and I then took off towards the drop off point under sunny skies in the late afternoon. I would have just enough time to paddle down the river and set up my camp before the sun set. Upon our arrival at the launch, and with a quick goodbye, I shoved off with my gear piled high.
Several hours later I pulled alongside the inside bank of a sharp bend. There was little to no gradual incline of sand to run up upon due to the high water of the snow melt, so I found a cut in the shore where I could wedge the bow. It was there that I unloaded the supplies and found a suitable site nestled back in under the bare branched trees of the surrounding forest. I tried to work smart and efficiently because I could see my time was limited before darkness fell.
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| The Setting Sun Behind My Camp. |
With the tent set-up I threw in my sleeping bags and wool blanket; other various items I stored under the fly of my tent. Using some of my remaining energy, I dragged my canoe back into the woods using a semi-worn deer trail that ran just beyond the footprint of my camp. Already my hands were getting cold and I periodically stopped to warm them after adding additional layers of clothing.
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| The Rising Moon. |
Dinner was a brat and baked beans washed down with some hot chocolate. The food was as welcoming as the warmth of the small fire while the last rays of the setting sun were replaced by its reflection off the rising moon. The stars, in vivid clarity, were absolutely spectacular. The distinction of “Orion the Hunter” was unlike anything I had ever seen. Without a hint of light pollution, other than the surrounding celestial bodies, I could identify each of the key components of this well known constellation. Typically people can locate Orion’s Belt, but to be able to clearly see each star that creates his outline and instruments for hunting, was downright memorable. With that image burned into my mind, I cleaned off my dishes in the river, snuffed out the dying embers of the fire, and got ready for bed.
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| Planets To The West. |
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| The Moon And The Stars. Can You Locate All Of Orion The Hunter? |
Since cold air sinks to the lowest elevation, and I was camped along the river’s edge, the temperatures dropped down into the high teens that evening. With nothing more than a well ventilated nylon tent for my shelter, I doubled my two sleeping bags (one inside the other), wrapped them in a wool blanket, and laid it on top of a sleeping pad. I myself wore wool socks and my running tights under a pair of flannel pants. My upper body was insulated with a T-shirt, long sleeve shirt, and a hoodie sweatshirt. The ensemble was completed wearing a stocking hat with my hoodie pulled up and over that to prevent any cold drafts down my back. Despite having to bundle up, I slept soundly once my feet were warm, and only slightly stirred to the several times that I was serenaded by barred owls and coyotes off in the distance.
The following morning was cold! It was hard to do anything for any length of time before I had to put something back on my hands and try to warm them up. That limited my dexterity! I cooked breakfast over a little burner stove that my Dad had given me a year or so ago. The skillet I made consisted of my final brat, two small potatoes, and a couple of eggs. It was just enough. My tent was covered in a thin layer of frost; the result of frozen condensation, but I went ahead and packed it away knowing that I’d have to dry out my gear later that afternoon. I ruffled the leaves and scattered some sticks to erase any signs of my camp.
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| Erasing The Footprint From My Tent. |
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| Snow Was Still Evident Around The Base Of Trees. |
It was about that time that I saw a pair of pileated woodpeckers. This species of bird is huge as woodpeckers go, and about the size of a crow, although they look more like a pterodactyl. One of them flew further up the river. Throughout the rest of the morning I often heard this one, although it was no longer visible. The other remained close by my camp. I quickly took a few distorted pictures from a distance with my phone. Then I grabbed my camera that has a decent lens on it so I could try to get a more distinct profile snapshot. The bird was so quick in its movements that I literally couldn’t react fast enough; even after trying to warm my frozen fingers. I watched and marveled at the show it was putting on for me in full display. Despite not hammering away at strong, fibrous wood that produces the loud jackhammer-like sounds, it was very interesting to observe how it was getting insects from within the rotting trunk of an old cottonwood tree that lay sprawled on the forest floor. It worked methodically, as a seasoned woodsman was wont to do with an ax; in the lumbering days within the once great, pine forests of the North. Chiseling first at one angle, it would then reposition and chip away from an equal but opposite angle that slanted away from the imaginary and perpendicular line that descended down from where its mighty branches once extended into the canopy and sky. The result was huge chunks of soft wood that were quietly and easily removed to get to where tender morsels of arthropomorphic food were lying in wait.
After some time, I slowly backed away and began carrying my supplies down to the river’s edge. As I readied my canoe, and prepared to load the gear, I saw the pileated woodpecker continuing in its quest for food; working on the same log. I glanced at the clock on my phone and figured that I still had a few extra minutes to spare. I again grabbed my camera, took a breath, and slowly advanced towards the bird. I already had taken a gazillion pictures prior; one or two that looked sort of okay. This time I was relaxed and figured anything gained now was extra. I progressed with purpose by taking a picture and then taking a step closer. Following each step, my finger clicked the button of the camera as I tried to guess the instant it would raise its head. Every once in a while I was able to do just that! The experience turned into one of those once in a lifetime moments. The woodpecker remained undisturbed by my presence, and I was able to walk and stand within 12-15 feet of it while it worked to eat. Perhaps I could have gotten even closer, but I didn’t want to push the limits and betray its trust by getting any nearer than what I did! It's a moment I’ll never forget, and one now preserved in a picture. It’s a picture I was fortunate to capture at the right moment and at such a close range. Within it I can easily see into the pupil of the woodpecker's eye and detect the texture on the tip of its feathers. In the end I merely put the camera down and watched. The bird was vibrant and spectacular. For all I know it’s still there chipping away with precision while extracting delicious ants, termites, and grubs. After a respectful amount of time I stepped quietly away and left without distraction.
THE TWO (BELOW) ARE MY FAVORITES!
Following a couple of hours worth of paddling, I met Cindy at my take out point. I was tired, but I was fulfilled. While I had started out on a solo journey, it quickly turned into a shared adventure with unexpected friends. Not only was I able to enjoy the overwhelming hospitality of the river, forest, and cold, but I was also afforded the opportunity to revel in the company of both Orion the Hunter and a pileated woodpecker. It’s an experience that I aim to keep lodged deep in my noggin (beyond the bruise from the canoe), because as outings tend to go, it really wasn’t typical in any fashion or form; which is why it was perfect for me.
See you along The Way…
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| A Plug Of Cedar Left Behind As A Thank You For My Time Spent With "Unexpected Friends." |
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