It is rare that a place can be so enveloping that it crowds out everything else and holds you in the moment. In that time, for that time you are reminded that life is good and the world is a wondrous place.  That feeling, that’s what I’d bottle.

The inky black water is as smooth as glass. A breath of breeze moves the cool morning air.  I slip along, amazed at the perfect reflections of moss covered cypress in the mirror-like surface.  I am acutely aware of how quiet it is…no people, no cars, not even aircraft.  Then the senses take over.  I hear the “who cooks for you” call of an owl, the trill and knock, knock, knock of woodpeckers.  My skin is hot to the touch from the brilliant sun making drips from the paddle feel like ice water.  Insects buzz.  I can hear salamanders climbing trees and the scratch, scratch of a turtle’s feet as it scrambles for better purchase on its sunning log.  Butterflies float and flit, their shadows trace a path on all that is below.  There is the smell of wet earth punctuated with the honey sweet scent of wildflowers that hangs in tree sheltered passages.  Alligators sun on the banks and floating mats of vegetation; some eyeing us, some ignoring us, and others moving to sink slowly into the black depths. The here and now commands all my attention. 

We make a turn. This path has oncoming current making paddling a bit more challenging.  I am pulled out of my reverie as eyes, mind, and muscles work to move though the magnificent slalom course laid by cypress.  The physical challenge extends the profound awareness of the present moment.

We do indeed need the wild places of this world. They renew us and remind us not to take for granted the beauty that is all around us.  Thank you Okefenokee.