A very beautiful
county, bucolic, with rolling hills, many woods and a river flowing
through the city. Besides having a river, there was also a canal,
which was my goal for that walk.
It was about two to three miles from
my home, so off I set on another adventure, even though I had been
there before, there was always something new.
Besides, I loved
nature. There were far more song birds in those far away days, than
now, so there was always a melody to accompany one.
Along side the
canal, which was in the country, was a tow path, which the horse that
towed their barge used as they pulled them to their destination.
It was no longer used
for commercial purposes, and there were reeds alongside the waterway. With tree branches overhanging the pathway, it was a most pleasant experience on
a sunny summers day.
As I walked along the path, enjoying taking in
the scenery' the songs of the birds and the musty smell from the
reeds, I beheld a most unexpected sight.
Silently, except for the
smallest ripple of water, I beheld a most colorful sight, bright
reds, blue, yellow, green and orange, gliding towards me, as graceful
as a swans.
Three Kayaks
approached.
I was awestruck.
I had never seen
anything like this before. Colors this bright were seldom seen in
those days.
Clothes were mainly
conservative to drab. And here was this brightly colored material
tightly draped over wooden frames, being paddled along the waterway,
with such grace and ease.
It was such a
wonderful experience for me. A new reality had entered my life. A new
possibility. A joyous occasion.
Obviously this has
stuck with me, as I still have such vivid recall of the scene. Since
that time I have owned three kayaks and one canoe.
Still I dream of the
traveling the waters with kayaks and canoes. Perhaps, one day...
By John Windsor Cox
I thank John for his wonderful story! I can imagine the burst of color on the canal, depicted above.
Photo in the Public Domain, from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tiverton_,_Swans_Swimming_the_Grand_Western_Canal_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1264899.jpg
