January Flood

The Sangamon River gently flowing

Peaceful, serene, welcoming

Has raised her pretty head

And shook her locks loose

Gobbling up the snow, rain and ice

Slowly swelling with pride

Water rising to fill her banks

Then greedily becoming violent

Torrential and aggressive

Sweeping what she could along

Debris, trees, rubbish and soil

Making a bobbing trip downstream

Backing up and lying still

In fields and farmlands

Until she caresses the hill

Giving way to geese and quiet

Having had enough, exhausted

She settles down

Leaving behind corn stalks and mud

And a replenishing gift for spring fishing

She is a precious queen

Lazy or vicious

Nature’s beautiful lady

Sharing her peaceful blessings

-Kate Riley

Rides Around: Long Live the Jeep

Here at TSY we love to showcase your adventures, and the vehicles that drive them.  Check out this guest post featuring a vehicle that may not hit the road, but still provides a valuable service.

Someone gave me this great old Jeep to drive the quarter-mile back and forth from my house to the back of my property, the Sangamon River.  It was mid summer when the Marty, the local tow truck driver, dropped the friendly beast in my driveway.  I was given a quick tutorial on four-wheel drive and was left alone to figure it out on my own.

I prefer to walk during the summer; the Jeep did many weeks of waiting. I did drive it to carry equipment if I was fishing.  We worked out some incidentals together. A couple of flat tires and a broken rear brake line were repaired. The decision was made to leave the rusted frame alone for now as it was never going to be a “on the road” vehicle.

As the days got shorter the Jeep was driven more. Daylight after work became less and less each day but by driving, there was still an hour with enough light to rock hunt and find those allusive Indian beads (fossilized crinoid stem). Winter is clambering its way across the north west, and it won’t be long and miss J will be loaded with firewood to warm the house, soul, and body.  Long live the Jeep!  A short trip but rugged “rides around “.

The Rig: 1993 Jeep 4×4
The Location: Springfield, IL
The Driver: a Dedicated Rock Hunter
The Special Circumstance: Nightly river outings

-Kate Riley