“You’ve got to go create a ripple.”
Those words came to me as our youngest son and I tromped around the woods. Early in the evening or late in the afternoon, depending on how you measured it, we were doing what we do best: an adventurous young man now, once a boy, coaxing a mom to overcome her trepidation to explore nature and life without boundaries. Where would he lead me if I said . . .
“I need a ripple for this picture,” I commented as I peered out over an impossibly calm and steady lake.
“Well, then we will need a really big rock,” he said and scampered off in search of a small boulder.
“Wait!” I yelled.
But once he’s on a mission, there’s no getting him to come back or change course. Into the woods he disappeared while I waited, but only for a moment.
Seeing the the sun would set soon I needed to hike somewhere more familiar. The park wasn’t that big, but I wanted to know where our car was.
Climbing up a ridge, I was thankful that the trees hadn’t filled in so much that my view was completely blocked, but it was screened enough so that I couldn’t spot him. Maybe he was back at the car.
And then triumph sounded, “I can make a ripple! I’ll wait for you.”
Where was he?
I’d forgotten about the waterfall that runs over the dam. Of course that would be a good place to step out over the stream. And that’s where I found him.
“Ready Mom? This one’s for you!”
Luckily I had my camera ready to capture this moment.
English
4 thoughts on “Rocks and Ripples”
Barbara,
That was intense! Have you had a chance to go to the Catalyst conferences? I have always wanted to go, but have never made it out to one.
I think you pose a great question – what are you going to use to create your ripple? But another question to ask is, how hard are you going to throw it? I have seen some huge rocks make the smallest splash as they are rolled into the lake, but on the other hand, I have seen some potato-sized ones cannonball through the air and send a water spout 20+ feet in the air.
Not only do you need something hard to break the surface, you need some effort behind it as well. Great post!
Thanks so much for taking the concept a bit farther out, Sal. Have not been to the Catalyst conference, but will check it out.