Exploring Serenity on a Peshtigo River Boat Ride
I spent the last three days staring at my computer screen, dealing with issues with websites and my domain on the business side of Art and Books Studio. Spending time in my studio without being creative depletes me.
My husband, Michael, said Sunday afternoon, "Let’s go on a boat ride. You need a break." I agreed, feeling like I had run into dead ends with no resolution for the problems I hoped to solve.
We went to a section of the Peshtigo River between two damns, Johnson and High Falls. The blue sky reflected on the water’s calm surface, and green forest nestled on the edges of the river, with fallen dead trees creating their landscape of gray limbs extending out from the banks, partly submerged over and into the water. The sun's warmth replenished my Vitamin D and boosted my frame of mind and mood.
The Governor Earl Peshtigo State Forest borders the river, and in this section, we did not pass another boat; in fact, our small outboard motor sounded intrusive in the quiet afternoon. Next time, we should canoe!
I did not find any answers to my tech problems on the river, and there was no magic solution in the gentle current to explain failed reCAPTCHA attempts or locked accounts.
However, spending time on the water surrounded by a forest soothed my brain as I concentrated on a blue heron perched, watching us as we observed it, and flew further away. Loons are fun to watch as they dive for fish, and we scanned the water to see where they will resurface; they can stay under the water for a long time. We both asked how a tree grew from a rock in the middle of the river.
We googled why? Strong tree roots can crack through rocks and find the nutrients needed, along with sun and water, which we know all plants need, just like humans.
Our ride was peaceful and relaxing, and when Michael asked me if I wanted to go back, I suggested we go in the opposite direction. The more time we spent, the more tranquil the river became, and my mind rested for a few hours.
As a new week begins this morning, I need the strength of tree roots to crack through my “rock” of website problems.
If you spend too much time on screens, give yourself the grace to spend time in nature. Please share your experiences in nature’s serenity in the comment section.
