Finding roses in the middle of the James River
About this time last year, I went for paddle up the James River from the 14th Street Bridge into the cluster of rocky islands around and west of Mayo Island. My goal was to explore the many waterfalls, rapids, nooks, cracks and left over man-made debris among these wild islands in search of great photos […]
About this time last year, I went for paddle up the James River from the 14th Street Bridge into the cluster of rocky islands around and west of Mayo Island. My goal was to explore the many waterfalls, rapids, nooks, cracks and left over man-made debris among these wild islands in search of great photos and scenery.
I first got on the river at the Floodwall takeout on the south end of the 14th Street Bridge at the end of the Falls of the James. As I paddled upriver, I saw some pink spots in the trees in the corner of my vision — unusual in that area on a sliver of an island at the end of the Southside Rapids. I ignored them and paddled on.
I stopped to check on my way downriver, headed back to the takeout and was surprised by the discovery. Seems that some nice hot pink roses had taken up residence on the eastern tip of one of the sandy islands. It wasn’t just a bush, this was a full-blown tree at least six feet tall. They were in full bloom and looked very healthy.
This is a rough and rugged section of the James, at the end of the Falls of the James in downtown Richmond. There is little human visitation to this spot, other than fishing boats or the occasional paddler.
I have since learned that so much of what winds up growing on the banks of the James River is what the river provided. Landscaping, ivy, seeds, flowers, bulbs — it all can get washed done and come to rest where it pleases and can take root. Thus, roses in the middle of the James River.
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