July 26, 2022

  • Eagles

    We explored another section of the river a couple weekends ago. The first trip we put in downtown and rode to the access ramp about a mile from the house. This time, we put in at the ramp near the house and went down river from there. We started early to avoid the heat and motorized recreational traffic. One of the highlights of the trip were four bald eagles that swooped into a tree as we were passing by. One of the eagles crossed the river at height of about fifteen feet to pass in front of me a boat-length away. It was close enough for me to hear the whoosh of the air displaced each time the eagle flapped its wings. Pretty cool. Here is that eagle after crossing in front of me:

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    The river was glassy smooth and slow moving.

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    The state/county has installed some interesting infrastructure to promote kayaking the river. Aside from the regular boat trailer access, they have built some kayak loading ramps that resemble raised kayak-wide conveyor belts. Rollers built into aluminum frames allow for a controlled placement and embarking of the kayak from an adjoining deck. When the paddler is ready, there are bars on each side to grab and propel the kayak forward down a gentle slope on rollers into the water. The same roller system allows for a kayak on the river to be maneuvered into the chute from the opposite end and pulled up to disembark. A nice use of the tax dollars.

    Last week, instead of an early morning on the river, we spent an early morning riding from the minor league ballpark to the next town to the north. Like many bike paths, this one is built on an old railroad bed. It runs through wooded area is quite tranquil. It was a nice 15 mile round trip. Our turn-around was at the dam in town:

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    My whiskey of the (every-other) month arrived at the beginning of July. Japanese whisky with Japanese chocolate-centered cookies:

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    Whiskey made from rice! Makes for a different flavor profile. I didn't take this one to poker. I am keeping it for deck-drinking.

    Poker last week was initially a bomb, as I was first out of the Hold 'Em tourney which netted me exactly one point towards the Jackpot week (next week). After killing time enjoying an Ashton Churchill and Euchre with other eliminated players, I was able to mount a successful campaign on the Omaha table. No points for Omaha, but the cash winnings still spend. This week, there was no Omaha because our host had to tend to his new campground and the customers that were staying there. That meant I had to do my damage in the main game. I took them down to Chinatown, knocking out the 4th, 3rd, and 2nd place finishers, earning me 18 points for the win and four bonus points for the knockout (I get credit for my own chip along with the three chips I took from the final table). That made up for a couple of my other horrible finishes this season. I won't be completely hamstrung with a low chip stack next week.

    I picked up a four-pack of Bell's Oberon Tropical for poker this week. It is deck-drinking worthy. I wouldn't put away more than a couple in any one sitting, though.