This quote from Robin Williams sums up what I try to be mindful of as I watch the land awaken from its long winter nap and unfurl into a new season of growth. We already have daffodils blooming in the backyard and are making plans for this year’s garden. Folks will soon be dusting the cobwebs off of their bicycles, packing up the flannel sheets, and wondering if that favorite pair of shorts has one more year left in them.

As I write this, I am listening to my sump pump as it does its best to keep my basement from becoming a potential site for the next roll session. I’ve heard that April showers bring May flowers; but good grief! Though I’ll bet the Hail Stones are running…

Speaking of roll sessions, the planning for the clinic is in full swing with Ed at the helm. Our next Quarterly Business Meeting is on April 10th with Loring Bullard presenting on Western water and the latest info about the new Watershed Center. Melvin Johnson is also presenting on upcoming programming available through the Springfield Park Board; both of which should be highly entertaining and informative.

The 2008 River Rescue is shaping up to be another banner event. Our own Jason Frantz is chairing the planning committee and will have plenty of opportunities for OMP to lend a hand.

We need to be thinking seriously about supporting Terri Bradley and the Float for Independence in June. It is a wonderful opportunity for the “kids” and a chance for us to really make a difference in someone’s life. These folks don’t get out like this very much, so we should help them make the best of it!

I don’t want to take away too much of Ed’s thunder, but we had a really good time on the river this past weekend. We put in above the Prong’s on the Jacks Fork and floated down to Blue Springs. I had heard that this run was similar to the run from Ponca to Kyle’s Landing on the Buffalo. For that reason, and due to recent lessons learned the hard way, I was equipped for almost anything short of a nuclear detonation. However, we did not have a single drop of rain the whole time, and I found that stretch of river to be one of the prettiest, most scenic and easily navigated trips in the area. I suggest keeping an eye on the weather and put this destination high on your list.

See you at the put-in,

Mike Simpson

From the Commodore’s Boat