Away, you rolling river

Water flowed back to the river I love and, with it came pelicans, eagles, deer and beautiful people.

Most of those have been congregating along the river all along. But, I started to get worried about them all during March when I noticed the water levels near the Olde Oneida Bridge were alarmingly low.

The river bared its bottom in an unseemly way, exposing all the sediment, rock and even an old step ladder that had been hidden by gushing water. It looked post-apocalyptic and the whole scene creeped me out.

Where do the pelicans roost when the water has gone away? What do they eat when the fish have no home?

Monday evening, I took a nice, brisk, post-eclipse walk along the river and was thrilled to see the river back in all its glory. I wasn’t the only one.

I saw whole herds of deer out nibbling along the river path. My (and your) old friends, the Three’s Company eagles, swooped overhead and a chatty flock of pelicans roosted on a trestle rung.

We all made our way around that river with spring in our steps.

As I rounded the hill behind Telulah Park, I spotted a young-at-heart couple walking arm-in-arm. The gentleman had a banjo strapped behind his back and the lady tossed a jaunty red scarf over her shoulder. I really wanted to interview them, but I also didn’t want to interrupt.

It occurred to me, then, that they had written enough of their story in their pace, in the loop of their arms, in their accoutrements and in their style of dress.

I loved that they shared music, companionship and good health on a fine April evening, and that we all could enjoy a really beautiful stroll along a brisk river flowing with possibilities for the season ahead.