By Alison Douglas
Professor of English/ Director of College Readiness Elgin Community College
Writer, Editor, Friends of the Fox River
Several years ago, a friend asked me to go kayaking with her. I put her off. “I’m really busy right now… I don’t know how to kayak … I’m really not a water person…” I had no interest in paddling and all the excuses to avoid it.
And still, she persisted.
She had an extra boat. She had all the gear. All I needed to do was show up. She wanted company.
This would be a short story if I hadn’t given in.
But I did. And without exaggeration, my life changed that day.
A native of the Rocky Mountains, I have made my peace with the flat midwest by hiking every slightly elevated trail I can find.
Over the years, I’ve enjoyed trails along the Fox River, around Rock Cut State Park, and throughout Starved Rock. I have been at my happiest sharing the trail with my partner, annually renewing my acquaintance with seasonal flowers, trees, and birds.
Binoculars in hand, I have relentlessly searched for Great Blue Herons, Egrets, Bald Eagles, gold finches, and orioles – every sighting on these trails a magical interaction.
But when I saw these beloved spots from the water, those distant interactions were suddenly close encounters. Paddling around a bend, that reed standing in the water resolved into a Great Blue Heron, in motionless vigil over his river.
Close up, I saw the red and blue coloring on his neck, the sparkling droplets drying after his last snack. If I got too close, he moved on in annoyance, but only a short distance. It is his river, after all, and he would wait for me to pass.
Paddling into the shallows of a lilypad field, I entered the peaceful realm of Great Egrets. Unlike their lordly grey/blue cousins, these more cautious friends quickly exited to a higher tree or hidden corner when I came in sight.
I have since purchased my own kayak, and the close encounters continue to thrill. Schools of tiny fish (minnows?) sparkle like diamonds across the water and make a flashing “snap” as they shift in unison. River turtles, surprisingly varied in size and color, bask on rocks or logs.
From my kayak, I can see fluorescent green swirls on their shells and a red streak near their eyes. But quietly, quietly – the least noise sends these creatures back into the water with a nearly inaudible “plop.” This, I would never have seen from my beloved trails.
Even the damsel flies and dragonflies. Who knew? The color variation, the heart-shaped mating dance! The way they race across the water and happily greet my blue and purple kayak as a long-long and surprisingly well-fed brother.
The kayak sits low in the river. I feel the current as it gently rocks my boat, I feel the wind gently pulling me along on its journey. I am one with the river, both a visitor and a prodigal daughter, rediscovering my primal connection to the water and the land it embraces.
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Why these Kayaks for our Raffle?
These two kayaks were selected for their very good condition, being used almost primarily on a lake. Another factor was their versatile design which makes them comfortable for various sized paddlers and a good performer on the river, a creek, or a lake. They are light enough to easily carry/load and durable. In addition to the boats the package includes top quality breakdown paddles and life vests.
Why Buy a Ticket?
For only ten dollars/chance this is a great deal. Purchasing ten will significantly increase your chance to win. But the purpose of this raffle is fund our education programming. Friends of the Fox River (FOTFR) fulfills the most important part of our mission: education, through our unique stream education experiences.
For the last several years, our outreach educators have been hosting thousands of students in boots to participate in field studies in a stream near their school. There, they collect physical, chemical and biological data to determine water quality and health of that tributary to the Fox River. They learn about the life of that stream and come to understand how every stream and river supports a web of life.
Now the demand for this hands-on, science learning about the student’s local environment is growing and we need your help to meet it.
Celebrate FOTFR Youth Education
The kayaks with gear are the only prize in the raffle. A maximum of 1,000 tickets will be sold. The winning raffle ticket and two alternate winning tickets will be chosen at Scorched Earth in Algonquin on September 24 at 8:00 pm.
