Kip’s Comments 9-1-22

A Discussion We Will Have

I am hopeful that when my time on earth has ended and my soul has moved to a better place, that I will be able to find my grandfather who was instrumental in the countless hours of enjoyment I have on the Wapsipinicon River. Maybe this dream is a long shot, maybe not, or maybe it won’t matter, but for now it does. I want to catch up to him and extend a heartfelt “Thank you!”

Many years ago my granddad bought the cabin we now own along the Wapsipinicon River. He and Ollie spent hours on end fishing for bullheads and anything else they could catch from the shore. I would stop by and give them rides up and down the river on a pontoon boat. We all enjoyed our time together. Sadly, those days are well past us with only Kristy and I to remember them, but those outings are fresh in my mind…days I think of often.

My time at the cabin is a bit different than my granddad’s hours. I prefer to paddle, I more enjoy quiet, muscle-powered activities over those involving a motor. Give me a Wapsipinicon River that is behaving, a canoe and paddle to explore, and the time to enjoy this combination and I am happy.   

The past days I have been thinking about the river, the cabin, camping, and just enjoying the outdoors. My challenge has been how to capture what I so enjoy about the outdoors. I have recorded many images of canoeing and paddling. Tonight I changed my direction to camping – primitive camping – my favorite type of camping.     

For a couple of hours I battled one hungry skeeter after another but eventually made the image I had in mind. It would have been nice to have a wide open, mountain vista behind the tent with a sky filled with stars, but that would not have illustrated the essence of what I enjoy so often. No, I am satisfied to capture the stillness of the night along the Wapsipinicon River where hardly a leaf is moving. This brings me peace. Thanks Grandpa!