SUSTAINABILITY
Recycling � Resources � Lifestyle
Paddling a river has never been easier Paddling my kayak—just a few inches above the water’s surface—I am mesmerized by river currents, swirling eddies, and underwater rocks, logs, and aquatic plants. Agile dragonflies speed toward my boat, then turn away suddenly using their powerful, transparent wings. Kingfishers dart about, hunting for fish; I pretend that these small birds with their large heads and long bills are leading me downstream. Smells are suggestive of fish, small animals, flower blooms, muddy riverbanks, and decaying plants, when I take deep breaths of the cool, moist air. In retirement, I have hiked far more miles than I have kayaked; however,
W
ater is magical. It’s not only a liquid that sustains all life, although that should certainly be far more than enough; the molecules of oxygen and hydrogen also inspire, energize, and soothe. There’s a scientific reason why we love flowing, plunging, and spraying water— why being around moving water can improve our moods. It’s called negative ions. Molecules that have gained or lost
Above the Water Line Sally Bethea Sally Bethea is the retired executive director of Chattahoochee Riverkeeper and an environmental and sustainability advocate.
an electrical charge are created in nature when air molecules break apart due to a variety of influences from sunlight to moving water. The action of falling water and crashing waves (or even a bathroom
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shower) creates negative ions that bond with air particles. When we breathe in this charged air, the negative ions enter our bloodstream. They produce biochemical reactions that can relieve stress, boost energy, and reduce depression. By increasing the flow of oxygen to the brain, the negative ions can also enhance alertness. As the Chattahoochee’s riverkeeper for more than twenty years, I benefited regularly from the stimulating negative ions at memorable waterfalls (Horse Trough, Hilly Mill, and Vickery Creek Falls) and shoals (Buck, Smith Island, Bush Head, and Daniel Shoals) in the watershed. In these places, I always felt fully alive, immersed in the moment. Blissful, yet energetic.
The paddling life I am not an expert kayaker, but I really love to be on, or near, flowing water. Usually, I can manage rapids of medium difficulty (Class II), unless my attention wanders to something interesting nearby and I collide with a rock. Rhythmically dipping my paddle into the water—left, right, and repeat—is a powerful and also relaxing movement.
on the Etowah River with a small group organized by my friend Alan Cressler—a federal scientist, intrepid adventurer, and outstanding photographer. Other participants were naturalists, birders, and hydrologists. The river was higher than usual on the beautiful, late spring day, so we had few shoals to navigate. Again, and as always, I finished the trip feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. I drove back to the city, thinking about my next kayaking and snorkeling adventure on the Conasauga River in late summer with Georgia River Network.
New river guide app
Founded in 1998, Georgia Photos courtesy Georgia River Network River Network (GRN) works to empower everyone to enjoy, connect with, and advocate for clean, flowing rivers. The nonprofit offers day and multi-day paddle trips (including the annual Paddle Georgia event), water safety classes, a river user guidebook series, and advocacy action alerts. GRN has also these walks have regularly included water supported local efforts to create water features: rocky streams plunging down trails statewide for public access and steep slopes, lakes, canals, and ocean enjoyment. shorelines. We are drawn to water—the Recently, GRN released a free precious liquid that constitutes sixty Georgia River Guide mobile app—a new percent of our bodies. tool to help people experience our state’s This past spring, I joined friends to more than thirty water trails, totaling paddle on two iconic Georgia rivers: the 2,500 miles of accessible waterways. Flint and the Etowah. On Mother’s Day, It’s amazing! For each water trail, you the nonprofit Flint Riverkeeper offered a can find outfitters, river access points, six-mile trip through Yellow Jacket Shoals mileage, waterfalls, and other points of in Upson County to see the emerging interest. Importantly, safety information blooms of the spectacular shoals spideris included, such as river difficulty, lilies. (We did not run the most difficult potential hazards, and rapids. Know line through the challenging, Class III before you go! shoals; in fact, I dragged my boat around In the works for many years prior and over a few rocks.) The adventure to its release, the River Guide app was every bit as wonderful, as I had was curated by river experts, water anticipated. Spanish moss, eel grass, clear trail groups, riverkeepers, government water, shoal bass, forested riverbanks, and agencies, and various publications. Teams no trash! The Flint’s riverkeeper, Gordon of interns from the University of Georgia Rogers, does a great job of protecting his and other institutions supported the river. research. A week later, I paddled nine miles At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m
