Canoe The Ozarks

After relaxing in the waters of Shanghai Spring, we feel rejuvenation and a reluctance roused by reverence as we slowly paddle away from this spellbinding spring.

It’s mid afternoon and the hot August sun is still high as we squeeze in a little more fishing time and take a few breaks for swimming.
This whole day becomes an exercise in laziness on the river,
In The Summertime.
A favorite tune with an easy refrain won’t escape this moment:

“Lazing on a sunny afternoon,
In the summertime…
In the summertime…
In the summertime…”
(“Sunny Afternoon;”  Kinks/Ray Davies)

Quintessential summer tune!
_________________________________

Even at a leisurely pace, we still arrive at our campsite by 5:30, so there’s plenty of time to set up camp and gather up some firewood.  Yes, it’s irritating that we’ll have to expend some energy here J; but this brief interruption(schedule) of pain before pleasure is requisite to “camping in comfort” on the river.
So it‘s not much later when our campsite is set and our wood piles are plenty.

We’ve worked up a sweat, excited a thirst.
We’re dashing, diving into the river, the final rinse comes first!
Feeling refreshed, I walk back to shore and head for the cooler.
It’s time to settle in for  “DOWN TIME!”

Looking Out From Campsite on Big Piney River / Aug. 2011

I pop a cold IPA as I laze on my lounger and gaze at the rocky bluff  that’s drenched in golden sun.  And as evening approaches, a shadow curtain will be slowly gently raised to the top of the bluff.  It’s a closing scene to a favorite play of shadows and light that I just can’t miss!

But it’s not the Final Act…(another Piney post to follow)

Peace on the River

by William Hughes.