Good ole Texas times...

Something about getting outdoors and paddling down the river that makes you realize that you really did grow up in Texas. Seeing a bunch of run down shacks, tons of cattle, and going down dirt roads makes you giggle at why non-texans laugh at us. But there is something about the foliage and peace of a river that makes you thankful for who God made you and where you came from. It may not be what you did every weekend as us city folk can attest to but thankful none the same for the option to go camping and have a bonfire and eat s'mores.

Saturday, Charlie and I went to Nacogdoches to see his sister, Chelsea. We loaded up her truck with lunch and a canoe and went our merry way 25 miles to the Neches River. We dropped our Jeep off at the end spot and jumped in the truck to go to the beginning. There, we were met by a stray cat who kept us company until it's owner happened to come by and get him. So we unloaded the canoe and filled it with our cooler and paddles and pushed off on a 10 mile journey down the river. Dodging logs, trees, twigs, and branches we scurried through a interesting wake alone down the river. The weather was absolutely perfect- clear 75 degrees or so with a cool breeze the whole way.

Chelsea was the rudder in the back, Charlie was the brute force in the front, and I was the cheerleader/backup force in the middle where I attempted to not let my back and bottom hurt too long from sitting in the bottom of the canoe. About halfway down after stopping for lunch, we came to a bunch of fallen trees, probably from Ike, that covered the width of the river. All three of us had to show our gymnastic skills getting off on logs and pulling the canoe across. Chelsea and I only almost fell in twice and managed to do it without only getting wet up to our knees. Course, that made for a not so comfortable wet ride after that. But, Chelsea continued to point out different wildlife and naming plants with names we couldn't understand which was very interesting and laughing at stories when they were kids.

And, 10 miles, and 4 hours later, we made to the end and loaded the jeep up to go back to pick up Chelsea's 4wd Ford. God blessed our day. As we drove, the heavens opened up with the rain giving refreshment to all the land. Such a glorious day.

P.S. Did I mention that there was a 16 foot alligator spotted a month ago? Hmm yeah. Chelsea is pictured right with Daphne and Yoda.