Step off dry land and see Broad Ripple and the area from a different perspective. Last year I was invited by my son, an avid outdoorsman, to canoe the White River (the one that runs through Broad Ripple). We began the journey in Noblesville with us in a canoe and my granddaughter in her birthday kayak! It was to be a grand adventure so we packed life vests, drinks, snacks, and phones in waterproof bags. His wife dropped us off and was picking us up.

Little did I know that about 4 hours later (or more since this was a year ago), we paddled to 116th street. The river was not quite like the Mississippi as Mark Twain described it. There were no villages along the way, no riverboats, nor any scallywags or pirates. Instead that section of the White River is calm and serene. Going with the river current, paddling in the canoe was not arduous, but about two hours into the trip, my thirteen-year-old started the "When are we going to get there?", "This isn't that much fun", "I want in the canoe instead of paddling alone." All the time I was enjoying watching the banks to see what we could see.

That day was hot. The turtles were sunning on the floated and snagged logs. We saw a few fishermen and asked each time, "Have you caught anything good?" There was not a lot of wildlife because we were traveling near high noon. Most nocturnal or early critters are napping. We saw the sycamores and massive roots bulging up from the water's edge. Birds including cardinals, sparrows, swifts were abundant. I was hoping to see an eagle or an osprey, but that would have to wait for another trip.

So this year, I was invited to canoe from 116th to 62nd street (Broad Ripple Park ramp). This was a beautiful late May day. The water was not too high having settled down after the spring rains. We brought our lunch, drinks, sun screen, and glasses. We didn't know the exact hours it would take for this trip so we allowed the entire afternoon. After a quick start, my son and I settled into a relaxed pace- he at the rudder position and me at the front.

This trip was delightful. The water was moving, but not fast. The sky was clear and everything was blooming. Again we saw the sycamore trees, trees that had fallen this year, and trees that were being worn away. My son luckily is a good navigator and read the ripples and current so that we only scraped bottom once. This trip we saw egrets, baby ducks and geese, a king fisher, crows, and large nests that we could not identify. The turtles slid off the branches and rocks as we passed them. It was fun marking our progress with the bridges we canoed under. I did remark that it would be interesting if the DNR posted signs on small creeks that were flowing into the river.

We stopped for lunch on narrow islet in the middle of the river. Then onward we navigated to the area just behind Keystone at the Crossing. This is where the trip became livelier. We passed people on the sandy bank enjoying the water. Luckily my son knows the river and guided us north, then a bit west to turn south. I would have been at a loss to find my way. Great to have a good guide. Under the 75th street bridge, civilization came to us. The pontoons, kayaks, motor boats and one jet skier, that delighted in creating the biggest wake, disturbed our languid canoe trip. We did see the White River paddle boat and another see-through pontoon designed with a bar. Looking at the cottages and houses kept our minds off the continuous, now long-time paddling. I realized White River Yacht Club looks very different from river than from land. It is more imposing and is decked with patio tables, umbrellas, and boats at its docks. (You know they have Music on the River in the summer on Thursday nights and are open to the public on those nights. Call to check out their every other Thursday event and the Annual Open House Festival, August 20th, also open to the public.)

Finally we started seeing the bend in the White River when it makes the curve to go around the Village. Broad Ripple Park also has a nice observation deck on the north side where you can spend time watching the water activities. We slowed our paddling so we didn't land so hard at the boat ramp. 2 1/2 hours. We made good time. My next adventure will be 62nd street to 30th street. I hope to do it this summer. I would encourage everyone to try a canoe, paddle boat, pontoon ride, or kayak. You can get a different view of the village. It is a view the Indians and the early settlers also got and we can share their vision too.