Yesterday morning, I was kayaking on Lake Wylie, and thought of the spider lilies. I wonder how far Lansford is from here? Probably not very. I really ought to head home however and work on my sequel. It won't write itself....I finished kayaking, and plugged the address into my GPS. Only 20 minutes further. I headed there immediately.
Lansford State Park is a stunning spot along the Catawba. The river was low, but fast, tumbling in splashing rapids over the many rocks. It is the low water and many rocks that makes that one section of the Catawba ideal for the spider lilies. I wanted desperately to pull my kayak out of the van, throw caution to the wind, and head downstream to find the lilies. A pack of kayakers passed by and I called to them. This was their first time on the river, and they didn't know much about the rapids. They hoped it would be safe...They assured me they had talked with many other kayakers, and the park ranger and when the water was low like this, even inexperienced kayakers would be fine.
I decided to be wise, rather than impulsive, and walked the mile nature trail to the observation deck overlooking the lily stand in the river. It is breathtaking. When I first caught sight of the lilies, I shouted with joy, "Oh my!" Everyone who first sees them has a similar reaction.
"Somewhat," he said.
"Do you know if a kayaker who has almost never done rapids would be safe kayaking here?"
"Would that be you?"
"Yes." I noticed there was a small sandy area next to the deck where I could take the kayak out. I had my little kayak cart in my car. I often strap it to the back of the kayak, and then when I need to traverse land, put the kayak on the cart and pull it easily behind me. I could launch at the park, kayak over the rapids to the lilies, and get off the river at the observation deck. Then I could wheel my kayak back to the car.
"It's shallow," he said, "And stunning. Why wouldn't you do it?"
"Well, it wouldn't be smart...I'm alone...and scared. But I have always wanted to do this."
"Will you let fear overcome your life, or will your life overcome your fear?" he asked.
"How long will you be here? Maybe you will see me kayak by."
With that pronouncement, he cheered, and I walked quickly back to my van. I found the park ranger to let him know if I hadn't returned in over three hours, to send someone to find my body. Then I strapped the kayak cart on to my kayak, and hurried to the shore. Without pausing, certain I would chicken out if I didn't act quickly, I hopped into the water. I had my new waterproof phone case on my phone, which dangled around my neck. I switched on the video, and here is that first video.
As you can probably tell, I was not very skillful, and pretty scared. The rapids were not huge, but they were rapid and I have never done anything like this. The water was quite shallow and I bottomed out on rocks, and even at times had to step out with one foot to propel me into deeper water. Nonetheless, it was a thrill! I was scared to death, but overwhelmed by the joy and beauty and excitement of it all. As I zoomed along, I learned a little better how to navigate through the rocks and find the deeper channels in the rapids.
And as I approached the spider lilies, I met up with the group of kayakers I had first spoken with. They pumped their fists and cheered, so happy that I had dared try. They were sunning on rocks eating their lunch. I stopped and we chatted awhile, and then, I kayaked on ahead...into the midst of the spider lilies. It was breathtaking. The beautiful white lilies swayed in the breeze, clinging to their precarious perch on the river rocks, while the river serenaded them.
I knew that the observation deck, my take-out point, would be across from the lilies. I almost was swept by it, but saw it in time, and had no trouble getting to shore. Well, except for one or two swirly rapids that pushed me into some rocks, but nothing serious. Two elderly women watched me from the deck and told me they were very jealous. How badly they would like to see the lilies from the middle of the river! I showed them my video of the lilies all around me. They sat close on either side of me telling me how glad they were that I had braved the rapids, and shown them such a wondrous sight.
They wandered on, and I sat watching the lilies in the river when a young mother with two young children came to the deck. I heard them before I saw them.
"Oh my goodness!!!!"
I smiled. That is the universal response upon first seeing the lilies. The little girl on the other hand, was crying.
"She saw a snake," the mom explained, "And now she is terrified."
"Do you know who made the snakes?" I asked the little girl.
She shook her head.
"God made the snakes. And God made you. And He loves you. And you know what? That snake is more afraid of you than you are of the snake."
She calmed a bit, and I packed up to wheel my kayak back down the trail. The little girl started crying again because she didn't want to walk the trail back to her car for fear of encountering the snake again.
"Well, just clap your hands and sing a song," I told her, "The noise will scare all the snakes away." Then I asked her brother, "Can you whistle?" He nodded and began whistling.
"And now, just follow me. With this big kayak, no snake will come near."
The little parade of singing/clapping/whistling children and their mom followed me. They quickly fell behind. And wouldn't you know it, despite all that clamor, I saw a snake in the path!!!
I signaled to the mom to stop and I quickly scared the snake into the underbrush. Normally, truth be told, I am pretty afraid of snakes myself, but today was a day of overcoming fear.
The Bible says that "perfect love casts out fear," and that God did not give us a spirit of fear but of "power, and love, and self-control." It is easy to let fear prevent us from doing things that would bring us great joy. I don't mean that we are to be foolish or careless, but fear should never prevent someone from gazing on indescribable beauty created by a God who lavishly loves us. Or asking Him into our lives. Indescribable beauty awaits.
As I wheeled my kayak along the trail, I passed an old man pushing his wife on a walker that had a seat and wheels so it could second as a wheelchair.
"How much further to the lilies?" he asked.
"Probably a half mile," I said, "But do whatever you have to do to get there. It is worth it."
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Awesome! Here is another great video of kayaking to the lilies. Never heard of spider lilies before....
ReplyDeletehttps://youtu.be/hgVT5LOmi5o
that video shows how fast the water is. It was scary for me...since I am a pure flatwater kayaker. You see why it was hard to stop and smell the lilies...the water was quite fast. Later I went back from the deck to the lilies, and found a quiet pool where I did the flower video. I hope to return.
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