Spirit of the River

It was a nondescript Tuesday, covered in gray coastal fog and a running I go until I got to the river. It is not a major river, and will sometimes when we do not get a lot of rain, run dry by the end of the year, but I was really taken by the Spirit of the River this morning. It happens frequently when I cross the river. It runs clear and fairly unimpeded in the areas I run. A babbling brook really, but a host of spirituality ...magic I suppose, not to get to maudlin. Running across the bridge this morning the air was clear, the water was splashing over the rocks as it races toward the ocean...and wham...the thing just hit me. Some times as I cross I will run with open arms to engage the Spirit of the River...to embrace the magic that is there. I am sure there is some Lakota or Ohlone Tribal lore associated with the river...but for me just a great and good feeling as I run over or along its course.
I often wonder and imagine what the river and the surrounding area was like 100 or 150 years ago. Not undiscovered certainly, but wild. Steelhead still run this river on big water years. There is still wildlife a plenty in the area, but my how wonderful it must have been. Nothing too overwhelming from nature...the temperate climate easy to deal with. Resources were plentiful I am sure...seems like it would have been and easy place to settle.

The Spirit of the River made it a great day for running.