Water levels were high on this particular day, meaning water was muddy yet the paddling exciting through the riffles, which admittedly were still not frequent enough. Nevertheless, we honed our strokes, mastered slipping in and out of eddies, and trained to chart a course through the deepest Vs. We practiced the tricky maneuver of re-entering the swift current from a churning eddy, an adrenaline-pumping feat in a choppy current.

As we explored the lush and vibrant natural world along the shoreline, we were captivated by the abundance of softshell turtles and territorial odonates. This led to a spirited discussion, where we delved into the intriguing world of insect mating systems. Our day was not just a paddling expedition but a journey of discovery, camaraderie, and learning!