On the American River

I've spent the last 25 years living on the bluff of the American River, separated from the River by a levy and many houses built in what was a flood plane. I have a favorite place, a secret place that was hidden for years, but is now accessible by road and more often visited. The River changes this place every year, and has taken land with each winter.

     This Saturday I joined the American River Parkway volunteers to pull invasive plants on an island that I've been looking at from my favorite place. Finally, I got to look back. On the many small islands that surround the William Pond area, natives are being overwhelmed by intruding vegetation and the only way to get rid of the problem is to pull each by hand. This species has large pods which, if left, will turn into more plants.

And then, after looking at the River from the banks after all these years, we explored by canoe. I'll be finding out more about what's below the surface of the water, in between the banks.