Up a River With a Paddle

[WxMurray 0]

“Mmm. Very nice.”

 

“There’s a shelf ahead.”

 

“I spoke too soon.”

 

Murray was in the rear of the canoe, christened the LCC Persistence for reasons that were unknown to him, paddling along the Susquehanna River. His cousin Wimbley was in the front of the canoe. Shelves were not fun. The current at a shelf had a tendency to take canoes in an undesired direction, usually sideways towards the shelf, and sometimes upside down across the shelf. Having canoed this river for many years, they didn’t bother Wimbley. Of course, Gerhard had been canoeing with him for many years, too, and he hated them.

 

The first time he had canoed the river (on one day’s practice, no less), he ended up in the current and got stuck on the rocks of the shelf and ended up filling the canoe with water. He had tipped it but not flipped it. The second shelf that day was a bit better; he only got the canoe stuck on the rocks. After getting out and getting pulled several yards downriver by the current, they got the canoe over the shelf and continued on. It wasn’t too long before the third shelf appeared. Gerhard was determined to nail it. He paddled hard and fast, staying low. Hard, fast, and low. Hard, fast, and low. Sure enough, he was across, no worse for wear. To this day, though, shelves intimidated him.

 

Half an hour later the duo was seated on an island eating goober sandwiches, goober being a peanut butter/jelly mixture all in one. After staring blankly at the canoe while munching, Saf suddenly understood the meaning of the Persistance, although he was still unclear on the LCC bit. He looked at Wimbley and said, “Next time, you’re coming up to me. The Connecticut River awaits.”