"Life is Hard on the River"

We are standing next to the Deschutes River in Bend with Adina and Shahar. We are about to get into the river: Adina and I on rainbow colored lounge floaties; Shahar and Alex on black tire tubes.

The sky is blue. The air is warm. We put our floaties in the water. I step into the river and immediately think what a perfect temperature it is. Then we get on the floaties with minor water infiltration and we're off letting the river's currents take us through town.

The warm sun heats up my skin as we pass beautiful houses; it seems every one has a small landing on the river with a table and chairs. Young kids are getting into the river from these landings. Grandparents are sitting on rocking chairs watching the youngins pass by. A couple who's house is for sale is moving some furniture outside.

"Look, Look!" Adina points to a landing where a little brown creature has climbed out of the water. "Maybe its a beaver or a river otter. Ill have to look it up when we get home."

We float on, under a bridge and then Alex says, "Oh no, Oh no, my floatie's going for the goose," he tries in vain to get the floatie to go another direction and Adina says from far down the river, "Don't worry, they get out of the way." Alex stops splashing and sure enough the goose gently lowers itself into the water and floats away.

I try to splash my way across the river to him, and then when I get to him I try to kiss him, but our floaties are too big and we just end up pushing each other away. We laugh and smile and try again with success! YAY!

After about an hour of peaceful floating we disembark in a park and walk back to the house to play games and drink Absinthe.