There is a solace on the river that I can not find in other places. The black, brown, tannish and red stone cliffs hugging the river with ample expanse and never tiring of the rushing rapids or its quiet struggle against the hard rock of stability.

The river flowing on as it snakes its way to the far coast, melding with other waters, mixing and stirring the contents as only a river's natural way can do...bringing with it penetrating views of dramatic stone against a blue sky, surprises of wild eagles winging above the rusty molten mass, and deer calmly grazing in small meadows. The river is ancient but it always remembers as it churns onward. Contentment is knowing the river will be there.

How I long for the river! Rich brown and silty to soothe my troubled soul. The warmness caressing my skin and washing constant worry from my brow.  These are my thoughts as I watched my son, a soldier, walk resolutely away from me at the airport. He was on his way to yet another mission in the Middle East. It seems his trips are like a yo yo...one after another, and this time the assignment was even more complicated.

Each year I raft a river in our west. This year surgery has kept me off the river. It also kept my son and me from rafting a river together. It is a regret I will always have.

When changes come into one's life, the river goes on in spite of human errors. The greed inspired by the wealth of a few, our fabled institutions failing citizens at all levels, health care scarce where the need is great, and pre-emptive war with destruction beyond our comprehension, these the river cannot erase as it rolls relentlessly toward the sea. These are the remnants of deeds done without regard to humanity, without regard to earth or flowing rivers.

The Tigris River starts in Turkey, and it curves through Iraq. It runs tumultuously with the collateral after effects of bombing, shelling, and humanity crying. Peace and safe haven were once provided by waters cradled within the banks of the river. There was a time when it provided sustenance and solace to the people of Iraq, when it was the cradle of civilization.

Does this river remember? Does it also long to be simply rich brown and silty against skin on a live human being, giving once again as it winds its way to the sea?

Copyright Barb Bolin 2008 All Rights Reserved

Barb's story was written on one of Page Lambert’s River Writing Journeys for Women, on the Colorado River in Westwater Canyon, Moab, Utah.

June 1-6: “Saddle Up! Literature and Landscape of the Horse” Writing Retreat at the beautiful Vee Bar Guest Ranch (www.veebar.com) near Laramie, Wyoming. Facilitated by Page Lambert and Sheri Griffith. For more information, go to www.pagelambert.com.

July 20-25: Taos Writing Salon “Writing from the Imaginative Storm” at the historic San Geronimo Hotel in Taos, New Mexico. Instructors include James Navé, Allegra Huston, Page Lambert, Leslie Ullman, Gladys Swan, and Paul Pascarella. $895 if paid by June 1^st. To register, go to www.thewritingsalon.net or contact info@thewritingsalon.net.

August 8-10: “Writing Along the Rim” retreat with Page Lambert in partnership with the Grand Canyon Field Institute, at the majestic South Rim of the Grand Canyon, Arizona. $500/$525. For more information and links, go to: www.pagelambert.com. To register, phone (866) 471-4435 or email gcfi@grandcanyon.org.

Sept. 3-7: Women’s Writing and Sculpturing Adventure with Page Lambert and special guests Roxanne Swentzell, and Rose Simpson, a five-day rafting adventure on the Colorado River with world-renowned Santa Clara Pueblo sculptor Roxanne Swentzell and her daughter, artist poet and singer Rose Simpson. Outfitted by Sheri Griffith Expeditions with more than 34 years of first-class outdoor adventure experience (www.GriffithExp.com). $1,299.00. More information at www.pagelambert.com.

September 24-28: “Writing from the River’s Edge” 5-day canoe trip with Page Lambert in partnership with The Women’s Wilderness Institute. Green River, Utah. $850.00; more information at www.pagelambert.com, or contact heather@womenswilderness.org or phone The Women’s Wilderness Institute at (303) 938-9191.

Private Mt. Vernon Writing Retreats. Retreat to Page’s home in the Colorado mountains near Denver to write and work one-on-one with her on your novel, memoir, or poetry manuscript. These private 5-day/6-night retreats include your own private bedroom and writing space, meals, secluded hiking trails amidst aspens and ponderosas, elegant Friday night “king crab” buffet at Mt. Vernon Country Club, optional 1-hour massage at Lake Steam Baths, and 3 hours of editing and career consultation each day. For more information, or to book a week for the 2008/2009 season, email page@pagelambert.com or phone (303) 842-7360.

"I met Page at a workshop in NM and was immediately drawn to her vivid, lyrical writing style, her generous sharing in her teaching, and her warm spirit. Page is the perfect combination of talented author and sensitive, skilled teacher. I brought home new chapters of my novel, valuable tips for my writing, and a promise to myself to return, which I did, spending five days working one-on-one with her in Santa Fe." ~ Heloise Jones, North Carolina.

For more on Page Lambert’s Creative Adventures, go to www:pagelambert.com.