There’s something about a river that just draws some folks to it… like a moth to a flame. While it’s difficult to define this magnetic attraction, I suppose it has to do with two of the qualities rivers embody : timelessness and perpetual change. Follow the Mississippi downstream from St Paul and you always wind up in New Orleans, by way of St Louis and Memphis, of course. Yet the rivers path constantly changes. Such changes go mostly unnoticed in our lifetime. Even the catastrophic New Madrid earthquakes of 1811-12 were but a slight diversion in the river’s lifetime.

These same rivers which early settlers used for travel and colonization were the same waterways America's original inhabitants used for their travel. These areas now are some of the last wilderness areas in many regions. Even though the US Army Corps. of Engineers channelized, straightened, wing dammed, dredged, rip-rapped, locked and dammed the Mississippi , it's still a vast wildlife area. Not to mention some of the local "establishments" where the river folk go for refreshment.

One thing though… the rivers pull doesn’t affect everyone. Either you ARE river or you AREN’T. After a canoe adventure featuring equal amounts of paddling and carrying, and few freakishly hot and cold camping trips, my wife doesn’t share my enthusiasm. Since you’re with us, we’ll assume you are "river."

Maybe you have a favorite spot to go to when you need a little "time out." Something's always different when you look around. Each spring brings a new "riverscape" with new snags/driftpiles, holes, and changing currents. Maybe a few more trees have fallen in. But, it’s still your familiar, comfortable spot visit your spot at different times of the year, and you’ll see a creature of many faces.

Take along a thermos of coffee in winter, and enjoy a quiet morning watching migrating canvasback, goldeneye, or bufflehead ducks. Along the larger rivers, look for bald eagles. I like winter because it’s so quiet. Of course, the fall pageant of leaves is beautiful in the deciduous forests lining many of our rivers. Go early in the spring and see the river’s full forces in action. Scout out some new fishing holes. Maybe catch a few fish. In summer the river often provides comfort in the form of shade, and often, a light breeze. And Catfish. If you get too hot, go for a swim at a shallow sandbar.

Along the river you find a diverse assortment of wildlife. All sorts of plants, trees, fish, birds make up the ecosystems lining our rivers. In the trees live the hawks, eagles, birds, and tree frogs. In and around the water live river otters, ducks, geese, snakes, muskrats, beavers, and a wide assortment of fishes. Typically, the greatest diversity of fish inhabit the rivers. Where else can you still find ancient critters like paddlefish, sturgeon, dogfish, and alligator gars all living together like some dysfunctional family.

Don't forget that rivers support a great collection of humankind too. Try bank fishing a popular dam and stand side by side with farmers, firemen, professionals, and factory workers. You may see other folks like commercial fishermen, engineers, tavern owners, and barge captains who make their living off the river and it's traffic. You'll find more colorful and interesting folks along the river. The river is a metaphor for America.

While many of these observations may seem to relate to big rivers like the Mississippi, on a smaller scale they apply to all rivers. So if you haven't been on your river yet this season, maybe it's time. River's always there for you when you need it. With interesting and new features to observe. Another thing you can count on - you may leave the river, but the river never leaves you.

(pictures on this page from Mississippi River near Savannah IL/Sabula IA)