I spent some time down at the Chattahoochee River recently, a bit of an afterthought — or bonus, actually, to a lovely afternoon.
When I was a kid, we’d go on family trips to the local lakes in Georgia. Every once in a while, we’d go to the Chattahoochee River, too. The lakes were ok, but it was the river that drew me. In fact, anything with moving water called to me. I played in plenty of creeks and small streams, too, but I never looked for the little creatures that lived there. Instead, I liked to watch the flow of the water, whether it was moving past rocks or tree debris, or my ankles. The thing was to stand in the water and watch it go down river, splashing wildly against big obstacles or finding the flow around them.
I’ve often written about how I love a good storm on the ocean (if I can enjoy it from shore!), so it’s clear to me the draw is in the movement. I didn’t make a connection to the meaningful symbolism of such an activity until now. Maybe I just wasn’t in the frame of mind until now.
Rivers move. They are alive. And they keep moving.
The picture I took on my recent visit to the ‘hooch captures where I am right now — moving in a new direction. The water flows steadily, always moving, always bringing different things along, flowing past small obstacles, fighting — sometime struggling past larger obstacles.
The bend in the river obstructs the view of what’s ahead, but that’s the mystery of it. The peaceful flow inspires peace, not fear.
I stumbled across this post from the WordPress Photo Challenge. When I saw it was the Chatahoochee River I kept on reading. I may live in coastal Georgia but I visit middle Georgia often and have seen the Chattahoochee River many times. Thanks for the post.
Thanks for dropping by — I love coastal Georgia. I love coastal anywhere, actually!
I grew up a few blocks from the Mississippi River, south of New Orleans. We’d play on the batcher ( area between the water and the levee, flooded in spring,otherwise dry), and watch the muddy water churn past. Big, dangerous river.We were very respectful of the river, but it was fascinating. I’ve visited other rivers, smaller ones. There is something about moving water. I live north of Dallas and miss the river, marshes , and gulf. Thank you.
Thats so neat. Thanks for sharing your experience. I have to agree that it is dangerous and needs to be respected. We’re entering the season where tragedy happens in a moment.
ah, so many fond memories of shooting the hooch in inner-tubes … bliss.
Ah! So many of my fave bloggers took part in the Earth challenge. Is it any wonder? Like you, I have always been attracted to rivers and streams, moving water. Even the water running from the tap fascinates me. I think often of that old adage, of the river ever changing, never the same from one second to the next, and yet, always the same.
Of course, if we follow the river’s flow over time, we see that it does indeed change, cutting new courses, shaving away more land on one side, dropping it on the other.
Thank you for this thoughtful post. It is like a two minute meditation, and my heart feels healed after a difficult conversation earlier this day.
Wow — your reflection here is great! I love “ever-changing…yet, always the same.” Thanks for dropping by.