Day 148

10/9/22

If a part of the earth could beckon me to come closer, it would have to be water. Rivers, oceans, ponds, lakes...you name it, I am drawn to it!

There is something about the constant motion of a body of water that entices me to pause and allow the ripples to lull me into deep thought. I believe my dogs sense it as well. Of course, once they are lured close enough, instinct takes over and swimming is their only goal!

Some of my favorite memories are on or near the water. Canoeing, skiing, sailing, swimming...all bring incredible memories. Crossing the headwaters of the Mississippi on foot is something you don't forget. Seeing the Rum River start out as a small stream flowing out of Mille Lacs Lake is also amazing.

Walking with my Goldens brings me along the banks of Anoka's own Rum River. My grandpa took chunks of ice out of that river for his ice house and my own mother danced at the amphitheater on the west side of that same river. I took my first swimming lessons on the Mississippi down at Rice Street Beach. Generations of Anokans have memories galore!

The first settler in the Anoka area was a man named Joseph Belanger. He decided to build a log cabin where the Rum empties into the Mississippi and had a trading post with the Indians from 1844 to 1856 (Dakota and Ojibwa). Later, that cabin became a temporary home for settlers on the move west. Logging became big in the 1840's and the Rum was the highway for the logs. They even had a ferry between Champlain and Anoka in 1856. A bridge eventually replaced the ferry and Ferry Street was born. If those waters could talk, I would love to hear the stories they could tell!

Today, our dear friends took us on a river boat cruise out of Stillwater. Beautiful! The St. Croix is a powerful body of water and the scenery was spectacular! Knowing that this river joins forces with the Mississippi only made it more awe-inspiring. I look at a shimmering wave and imagine it eventually joining the Gulf of Mexico. Incredible!

As you can tell, I love water! My Goldens love it as well. They, however, would not be picky about the type, depth, cleanliness or currents. They would jump in at the drop of a hat. If it's there, and better yet, if there is a tennis ball involved, they are all in...literally!