Tuesday, November 22, 2016

An Evening Paddle on the Tonawanda


Serenity can be found just steps from our back door.
Because it borders our property, we’ve paddled Tonawanda Creek more than any other local stream during the past three decades. While anytime we get the opportunity to paddle together is a good time, it’s during the fall months that we most enjoy being on the water. During the last half hour of daylight is an especially magical time, as day fades into night. It is then, as darkness slowly permeates our surroundings that the sounds of the nocturnal denizens penetrate the still of the evening – perhaps the trill of a Screech owl or the loud splash of a beaver sounding the alarm.

It's at about this time – on ultra clear nights - stars will start appearing overhead. There'll be one or two at first while there is yet a faint orange flow on the horizon, then, as the heavenly recesses become inky black, the night sky suddenly resembles a celestial display of diamonds scattered on black velvet. At such times I'm reminded of a passage from the Book of Psalms….”The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.

"He leadeth me beside still waters....."
Whether paddling night or day on a slow-moving stream, this autumn has been nothing short of spectacular, and a great season for seeing first hand an awesome display of God’s Handiwork.

Until Next Time, 
Jim & Claudia