Crystal Phelps

I enjoyed the Wolf River canoeing experience. Canoeing is definitely not my favorite mode of transportation, but I did enjoy seeing all of the stuff that we were able to see.

The lower section provided a great baseline, and an idea of what the river should be like and was like before human intervention. Compare the banks and vegetation with what can only be described as the strange area of the river up in Collierville. Neither would mean as much without the other for comparison. The Collierville section with the sheared off banks and trees and roots hanging precariously off the edge before they plunge into the water was quite striking.

As a result of our scavenger hunt, I am now able to identify a number of organisms and enjoy finding them in other places around campus and the area. I went to a rural area a few weeks ago and found lots and lots of ironweed and was quite pleased that I was able to identify a plant, especially out of context of the river.

Without a doubt, my favorite section of the river was the Ghost section. That was just incredible to see with the water spreading out in all directions, seemingly with no end, simply cypress trees and pond lilies for company. A few birds flying over head maybe, but very little else around. Even my classmates in front of and behind us seemed very far away and distant. It was wonderful and isolated out there. The water was flat and mostly undisturbed which provided an excellent surface for the beautiful reflection of the trees, sky, and clouds which greatly appealed to my artistic nature and made me wish I had my camera to record the sight. This is the image more than anything that is imprinted in my mind as a memory of the trip.

Despite my dislike of canoeing and water sports in general, and my propensity to injury, I did learn a lot from canoeing. It certainly necessitated team work and problem solving. The person in the back had to rely on the person in the front to give navigational directions and to give them in enough time to adequately turn the canoe. Problem solving skills were definitely needed to get out of some of the snarls that you ended up in with branches, trees, and logs blocking the way. Getting stuck in a bush requires team work and cooperation to help remove the canoe from the bush. It was a nice bonding activity for the canoe partners and for the class in general. We were forced to put up with each other and work together to get things accomplished, like getting canoes and equipment from the river to the cars. The canoe trip made me have more positive feelings to most of my classmates, as we all went through the same stuff and for the most part, endured and persevered with a good nature and outlook.

The rotator cuff injury is a rather unpleasant reminder of how much I don’t like canoeing, but I gained so much from the other aspects of the trip that there are many benefits as well.