War drums at Mauthe

Day 22 (9/19/09)
We decided with the swift approaching of fall we would try to return to Mauthe Lake for another trip up the north branch of the Milwaukee River. Things looked good, the sun was shining and it was pleasantly warm, fall like weather. Eileen was able to sneak up on a Sand hill Crane fishing on the edge of the lake and we got some photos before it flew off. We decided to start up the river right away because our last trip had been such a good time and we could hardly contain our excitement. Among other things, last time we had come across a fawn casually eating water lilies on the edge of the river. We wanted to be as quite as possible to sneak up on any wildlife that might be hiding around the next turn. Suddenly, I heard what sounded like approaching war drums. I looked around to see a family of four in two large sea kayaks coming at breakneck speed. The drumming was coming from the youngest, a boy, banging the paddles off the side of the boat. Ironically, I heard the father shouting how beautifully peaceful and quiet it was. I am thinking, how quiet it was before they showed up. I also figured out from there booming conversation between husband and wife that they had seen us come into the river and followed us. In the future I will remember to be more careful when breaching the weeds to get into the river and make sure nobody is watching. Needless to say, our trip up river was ruined. At first we tried to stay ahead of them but since they were on a mission to check off yet another goal in there guide book and not really there to enjoy the river, we finally conceded and turned back for the lake. Anybody who has read any of my blogs on biking knows how much I hate what I have named “Eddie Speders”, people who attack the bike trails at breakneck speed, hell bound for glory. I realize that I am probably a minority on this but I still like to take the slow road and appreciate nature around me. It is interesting to note that I had this family pegged when they first pulled into the parking lot with their bigger than life kayaks on a trailer pulled by their bigger than life vehicle and their Eddie Bauer uniforms. They were not out to enjoy nature but to conquer it, to whip it into submission and have something they could brag about at the board meeting on Monday. Whether in a restaurant, theater or out in nature these people always seem to need an audience and force everybody around them to partake in their production. Perhaps it is because of people like this that I prefer places like the Onion and Buffalo Rivers where other people don’t go. To call these rivers untouched by humans is laughable, since it is probably due to human influence or destruction that nobody uses them for recreation. The Buffalo River is on its way back, as farmers and industry have been forced to practice more conservation friendly practices. The Onion on the other hand has a long way to go but there are a growing number of people who are noticing its potential, especially at the northern end. These rivers have their own beauty though and you never have to worry about other people spoiling your day.