George Cleveland wrote:
The forecast the last few days has been for rain and more rain. But,
for whatever reason, Merrill has only been getting passing showers.
Four days ago I assumed this weekend would be blown out, the River
high and dirty. But as of yesterday morning it was only clipping along
at 118CFS, well within normal June levels. So I've snuck in a bonus
day on the water.

In the near dark I could hear not only the thunder of the approaching
storm but a drumming that I at first took as a grouse trying to put on
a show for the ladies. But then the drumming developed a syncopation
unheard of in the grouse family and I found myself listening to the
faint beating of human hands on drumheads. Not the stereotypic step
shuffle shuffle of the Indian drumming in the movies, but also nothing
that struck me as an attribute of modern times. I had no idea who the
drummers were. Neo-hippies? Angry First Nationalists? But a few drops
of rain and the drumbeats being overwhelmed by another roll of thunder
made me seek shelter in the Subaru's cab. I drove off into the
darkness and rain.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2.../IMG_0222a.jpg


GeoC.

Bonus for me, too. Thanks for writing it.