The Plain Side

   The river cools our feet as we step in to steady our kayaks, before beginning our voyage; a very  first trip for Grandpa, that we got to share as a family.  The cat tails along the river are so tall. I've never seen them this big. We meander through them along a river path to an opening.  It looks like an old forest that flooded. There's stumps spotting the lake with new growth on them. Like headstones of the past.   Nature is resilient.  Little blue dragonflies balance on my fishing pole. Lily pads and soft white flowers sway as my paddle skims the water.  Edee calls to the Mama swan as she leads her babies into the water. The swan calls back, returning as many calls as she makes.  We count 8 turtles sunbathing on a log. As we get closer they plop into the water, retreating to safety. We keep saying, they're so cute! There's so much beauty around us.  A bald eagle soars and swoops down and we watch it until it lands on the tippy...