A sad day for sure from an avid reader, occasional contributor.

But in some respects, I think this also reflects the state of the paddling
community, especially open boaters on the West Coast. It used to be our
rivers were a busy place with lots of folks of both persuasion out there
enjoying a great sport. Did anyone catch "My Turn" in Newsweek? Now it
seems that every other outing, our group is the only one out there and it's
getting smaller too........We're getting older, our boats are getting older
and neither are replaceable to a certain degree. Yes, along with the creaky
joints, our interests are slowly shifting or is it expanding? Be it better
or worse. But as long as the knees still bend, the ankles still flex and the
wrists/fingers are willing to grip, we'll still paddle. Rivers may morph
into the bay, slough, and lagoons, but the spirit carries on!



RIP? hopefully not yet


Carol

"Railtramp" wrote in message
ups.com...
On Oct 27, 4:36?am, riverman wrote:
I'm calling it. 17:34 local time, Oct 27, 2007. Cause of Death;
overwhelming spam, apathy, sex ads, garbage and general toxicity.

We should have taken better care of her...

--riverman

Riverman;

I would have to agree. We can all recall this group's days in the
sun. It was a resouce that had an effect. It was quoted in magazines
and books. It was lively and vibrant, full of personalities. It
created a community of people we hoped to meet some day. And some we
hoped to avoid. Now it is just an empty screen

Did we simply change venues, or did we lose something more? Did we
disappear into the flow of ordinary lives, driven now by family and
careers rather than a sense of outdoor adventure? I think there is
more to it than just the hassles of cyberspace. I think we changed as
people, reflecting perhaps the larger divide that exists in this
country. I sense we are no longer focus on the common values that
unite us, but on the differences that separate us.

Maybe there is a fixed sized appetite for a sense of community. Like
heat, it can only be felt when it is concentrated and not diffused.
What we used to share in this newsgroup in a concentrated form exists
now only in its more diffuse form of electronic communication that
runs all through our daily lives. We have moved from a small town
community to the heart of Manhattan. The amount of ourselves that we
can share with others moves toward zero.

I miss that sense of community. Now standing on the threshold of true
Geezerhood, I think about moving from the city back to a small town in
the hope that I can become a member of physical community. I think I
might try Ely, MN. There has to be enough birds of similar feather
there that one might feel at home.

I am now 58. When I was 49, I published the list of goals I called "A
River Rat looks at 50". I take great satisfaction in those goals that
were accomplished. Many others were not. Some, like a Grand Canyon
lottery slot, still remain on the list. Those that were not
accomplished were mostly replaced by new and different goals. These
things exist in a window of spirit and opportunity. New demands
arise, old wants get replaced. But the spirit of adventure still
remains strong.

Blakely

--
Blakely LaCroix
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
r.b.p clique member #86.

"The best adventure is yet to come"