To say we’ve had a significant amount of rain would be an understatement. As you can see from the picture, this partially submerged bench. At normal water levels, this bench is 20 yards from the water’s edge. From my house, I have a great view of my neighbors across the lake whose seawall was the first indicator Noah might make a return. Since this photo (01/15/2013), the water has dropped approximately six feet but now we’re dealing with an ice storm. Whew, come on Spring.

In December of last year I had to make my way to Memphis, TN where I would be in company meetings for three days.  We stayed in a hotel, downtown where everything was within walking distance, including the longest river in America.  Ironically, I was so busy with the meetings I didn’t make it to the shore until the morning of the last day.  Since I was facing a seven hour commute back home and it was beginning to rain, I decided to drive to a local park and walk to the bank.  As I stood there peering at Arkansas and pivoting north to south, I thought about the first time I ever saw this massive waterway.  I was seventeen and had driven all night after leaving work at a trucking company.  I had a couple of friends from 4-H whose family lived there.  We explored Mud Island, The Pyramid, Beale Street (Saw ZZ Top), and somehow, missed Graceland.  Even though Memphis has a ton of stuff to offer, I was primarily enamored with the River.  Since then I’ve been back numerous times but I still have the same, overwhelming sense of awe with each visit.