River trail magic!
A good first day! I’ve wanted to paddle the Crooked for decades. No wonder- it’s stunning and wild at its source-
I’m struck by how remote and undeveloped it is. What a gift. I imagine the water flowing down to the ocean. It’s clean and clear.
There’s a lot of beaver activity- I would have loved to witness this project coming into being!
Some crazy magic happen today. When I told Whitney from Friends of the Presumpscot River that I wanted to do this fundraiser paddle for them and Friends of Casco Bay, she told me I needed to meet Jenny Oconnell- She and Andy Gagne along with a couple other comrades had paddled the same route exactly a year ago today. They did a documentary on it. I went to see the premier in March and it was amazing and inspiring-
Andy has been incredibly generous with sharing details about the river navigation. He texted me today and asked if he could Find me on the river and take some pictures. Then Jenny texted him and says “hey what are you doing? I’m in the area” he tells her “ I’m going to see JEN” and she’s like “wait what”?? So they both ended up here at the launch on the Crooked- impeccable timing too ! I mean, I don’t think we could’ve planned that any better. Such beautiful serendipity. It gave me a boost in confidence. Their enthusiasm was contagious and it really helped send me on my way. Can’t thank them enough. Check out their film!
Photo credit Andy Gagne Photography
My dear friend, Claire Betze hung out for the day following me in the truck just in case I needed support and because there were a couple sketchy rapids that may have been not very wise for me to do. We decided after scouting them that it would be best to drive around them and put in downstream rather than risk having an injury or damaging the boat on day one. Watch me grow in my discernment and wisdom lol she was invaluable to me today- deeply grateful.
Below the rapids we loaded up the boat with all the gear and she sent me on my way. Although I was a little scared, and I sure appreciated her help and company, I was ready to enter the solitude of the journey and really drop into the experience.
The most angst I had in contemplating this journey was getting the consistent reports from Andy and Jenny of how many strainers there were across the Crooked from the two flooding events in the recent past.
Today I lifted the canoe over 17 trees- some of them precarious. I decided to use them each as a mantra. rather than getting irritated or afraid, I dropped into just experiencing one at a time. Just deal with what’s happening now JEN. One at a time. It was really helpful. Mentally and physically.
if I were to be completely honest with you and I guess I will be :-) I went up the chakra system with affirmations. 2 1/2 times :)
I am grounded
I am creative
I am strong
I am love
I speak my truth and sing my song
I am clear
I am present
Not kidding- each mantra or affirmation really helped with footing, balance, creative solutions- nobody got hurt and nobody swam today.
I’m touched by the beauty of the water and the surrounding forest land so far. This resource is invaluable.
Okay time for bed. More soon.
