My Adventure Story
The college is on Spring Break and being able to kayaking on a weekday
has been fabulous... never mind that I had to dig out the winter boots,
socks and jacket that I so carefully packed away - thinking, I don't
know, that it was spring?? silly me.
Today's trip started out overcast and chilly as we launched from Ray's Wayside Park. 45 degrees and breezy is not nearly as bad as the days of 17-23 degree weather.. So maybe spring
is in the air...
It wasn't long before the sun appeared
bringing out all the wonderful creatures that thrive on its warmth.
Specifically, the turtles and alligators...there were dozens of them - all of which could be seen in quiet repose on the sunny side of the river. I've included only a few photos so as not to bore... However, in reality, the battery quit working in my camera but not before I got a 'head shot' of the largest Snapping Turtle I've ever seen. A fellow kayaker named him 'Murdock' - hmmm - because he lives under the dock of the canoe launch at the Silver River Camp grounds.
So here I was - camera just under the surface of the water taking photos of the little fish swimming near the edge of the canoe ramp and I hear someone say over my left shoulder, "yeah, watch this, he likes apples." I look over the side just in time to see this huge snapping turtle coming out from underneath the ramp. His head was bigger than my fist, and with the speed and accuracy of a prized fighter's sucker punch, he struck out toward the piece of apple floating in the water. And then just as quickly as he appeared, he retreated - under the ramp.
You'll notice only one underwater photo of the little fish swimming near the ramp. Knowing there's a lurking 'Murdock' nearby, I won't be sticking my hand anywhere near the edge of that ramp again.
