Here on the Peace River we celebrate World River's Day and B.C. River's Day all at the same time. It is a day to acknowledge the river that you live on and enjoy the activities that rivers offer all around the world. 
Hubby and I have been celebrating this day for many years even when our kids were little tykes. Usually it is a great day and weather wise we've had very few bad ones. I feel I am privileged to live in a region of the world where freedom of movement is not curtailed and where things like rivers are celebrated for their beauty and for their accessibility.
Hubby and I took our canoe and we paddled a mere 6ish or so km on our mighty river The Peace. The weather was lovely and there was a good turn out at the event with about 15 canoes and 3 or 4 river boats (motorized) participating.
When we pulled into our destination our community supported a lovely little party. There were about 50 or 60 people in all and we enjoyed good music, good food, a few displays promoting our river, and some draws for prizes. Most of the people are long time supporters and we all know each other and really like to see each other and visit. Some of the people come from surrounding communities and we haven't seen them since last year on B.C. Rivers Day. Meanwhile behind us the Peace river sparkled with beauty as the water rippled by in it's never ending flow northward to Great Slave Lake. The cliffs on the other side of the river stood majestically watching our small activities
as it has watched human activities for a millennium. You have to wonder what they have seen!If there is a river near you, you might want to think about taking care of your river and maybe remember that without them this world would be a sad place indeed. They are placid gifts of creation and they calm you when you sit near them in places where the river slows, they excite you when the river is turbulent, they give you joy when water animals and fish abound. I can't imagine not being able to go sit by a river. I look at ours even when there is snow on the ground and I think what a beautiful place to be and it draws me to it with a longing that I can't explain.
A few years ago Hubby and I took what turned out to be a second honeymoon and paddled the Peace from HH to FSJ. We had an awesome time. We could easily have spent many more days on the river if we only had had the time. It was something that I will never forget.
The river greeted us each morning and we saw sights that we didn't know were there. Each time I paddle the Peace on B.C. Rivers day since that time I remember the evenings of spindling by the fire while Hubby fished a few feet away. The breakfast shared with the smoke from the fire mixing with the golden sunrise, the eagles that watched us suspiciously from perches high above us on old trees hanging over the water, and kingfishers that swooped from branch to branch as they followed or led us down the river, the flash of the silver backs of fish as the jetted away from under our canoe, the grand daddy beavers that slapped their tails in a territorial display as we passed their dens. Pictures cannot do that trip justice. We explored down channels unknown to us and were pushed by flowing currents controlled upriver by our dam. We passed sand bars where a herd of deer were drinking peacefully, and other sandbars where geese were flocking by the hundreds. Through it all Hubby and I soaked in all things river. We came away, I think, changed people. It drew us closer together, with something so much bigger than ourselves, as a shared experience.I want to go back.... I really want to go back....
it is a true thrill to feel the rhythm and flow of The Peace.
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