Dam river or shoals are a pain in the

Dam river or shoals are a pain in the . . .

But, I get ahead of myself.

I went kayaking today. Landsford Canal to Hwy 9. There are two trips I wanted to take this year, this one and the much longer River Park to Landsford Canal.

This would not make my “Favorites” list. Good night!

I arrived at Landsford Canal and as I was unloading my gear I saw the Ranger and told him my plans. He told me that the first two miles was very rocky (shoals) and then “it will be like you are paddling on a lake.” He was right on both counts!

The Catawba River is controlled by the Lake Wylie Dam. During the week they keep the river very low and release water every Saturday at 10:30 am. Landsford Canal is 25 miles from the dam and he said it cold take 8 hours for the water to reach this part of the river. So I had very shallow water. Sometimes maybe 6 inches! I got stuck on rocks a lot!

You see the arrow? Yeah, well, I saw the red but couldn't see the arrow (covered by branches) until I was at this point. I am stuck on a rock as I take the photograph. Ironic, right?

Most folks think of rocks as inanimate objects. I’m not so sure about that. And actually, I’m beginning to think that river rocks are bad tempered ogres. I am persuaded they are angry because they are stuck in the water; under the water. These rocks grab you. They hide, then BAM! Grab your kayak. And hold on to it. And the river is in on it, too, because often the current casts you right into the grasp of a hiding rock and you are stuck.

I’ve had several run-ins with shoals. Always the same. I made it past this section. You see, the rocks are angry but not evil. They delight in harassing you but not harming you.

After my escape from the shoals the water was much nicer and deeper. And it was like paddling on a lake. You see, the Wateree Dam is not too far from this point and I was entering Lake Wateree. I had previously thought it began a few miles down river, but the current is noticeably slowed down here. It was beautiful but a lot of work paddling. This trip was a work out!

I will not do this trip again, unless I know the water is much higher, but I wanted to do it and now I have. Now to plan the River Park to Landsford Canal trip. Today’s trip was 5+ miles. River Park to Landsford is about 18 miles and said to be much nicer.

Did you enjoy it?

Last Sunday we went to Grace Church of the Nazarene to hear Helen Evans speak.

We’ve known Helen since she came to Charlotte to minister to the Montangards, more than 20 years ago. She is 91 years old, served in Viet Nam and Indonesia for 37 yrs and in Charlotte since 1986. She actually “retired” in 1989 but continued to minister and is still busier than your average pastor!

After the service Mary asked me, “Did you enjoy that?” Yes, I did!

First, I’ve never been to a Nazarene Church. That was an interesting experience in itself. I felt bad for the brethren there – they got no background information on Helen before she spoke. The bio above was printed in the bulletin, but they were not told that she had served with the Christian & Missionary Alliance or the history of the C&MA in Vietnam. The pastor did explain that he liked history and was fascinated with the history of the US involvement in Vietnam, but that really was not related to Helen.

Second, Helen is an inspiration herself. She chose celibacy in order to more effectively serve the Lord. But I would have you without carefulness . . . The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. And she did just this.

Third, her message. Helen explained that serving the Lord in Vietnam runs in the family – her uncle went to Dalat in the 1920s and ministered to the tribal people. All Helen did was tell the story of her uncle’s ministry and then her ministry, but in doing so she spoke of:  faith, obedience, sacrifice, prayer, persistence, power encounters, the power of the blood of Jesus, suffering for Jesus and enduring in the Faith. Yeah! This is the old-time Alliance message! This is old-time Gospel!

Fourth, the Vietnam conflict. I come from the generation, or that part of the generation, whose motto was “Hell no, we won’t go.” We only saw the bad of this conflict (see song below). But Helen said something that was very intriguing. After the US pulled out of Vietnam and the communists took over, life was very difficult for the tribal church. She said the US presence allowed them to reach the tribal people and establish a strong church, strong enough to endure the persecution that followed the communist take-over. Interesting.

So, yes, I thoroughly enjoyed Helen’s message as well as seeing her again. And following the service we joined them for lunch.

Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: 

for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood 

out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation

the Vietnam Song by Country Joe and the Fish, made famous at Woodstock

Well come on all of you big strong men, 

Uncle Sam needs your help again,

he got himself in a terrible jam, 

way down yonder in Vietnam,

put down your books and pick up a gun, 

we're gonna have a whole lotta fun.

and its 1,2,3 what are we fightin’ for?

don't ask me I don't give a dam, 

the next stop is Vietnam,

and its 5,6,7 open up the pearly gates. 

Well there ain’t no time to wonder why...

WHOOPEE we're all gonna die.

Have I ever really seen America?

I’ve traveled in and through several States, yet as I read the accounts of early explorers and travelers in America, I’ve come to this conclusion: I’ve never really seen America.

What???

You see, I have traveled by car. On paved roads. With heat and air. Hills and mountains have been blasted to make the way smooth and level. There are bridges over every waterway, no matter how small. The only wildlife I see: horses and cows. Behind a fence.

I’ve traveled over the land. Been close to it, but never really seen it.

Early travelers and explorers walked every where they went. Maybe they rode a horse. Or canoed the rivers. They came into intimate contact with every hill, mountain, river, stream, marsh, prairie, forest, desert. If it was hot, or cold, or rainy, or snowy, or windy, or stormy, they were in it. They were up close and personal with the wildlife: deer, buffalo, bears, mosquitoes, flies. They slept under the stars. They saw America. They experienced it.

Maybe that’s what I mean. I’ve seen America. From my car and house and hotel room. But never really experienced it.

I suppose that is what I like about these journals and accounts. These men experienced something amazing and wonderful that I have not.