Trip Report

Miles and Mussels No. __[e.g., 6]_, Brazos River

[Date]     

As a(n) __[1][adjective]__ participant in this Miles and Mussels kayaking trip, Bruce Bodson thought I’d be a suitable __[2][noun]__ to file this trip report.  So here goes:

The weather on this particular day was __[3][adjective]__ and __[4][adjective]__.  After some confusing texts, phone calls and __[5][noun (plural)]__ , we met at the take-out, no, the put-in, no, the take-out to start the shuttle.  __[6][two adjectives]__ Kent was late because he went back home for his Butt-Paste©. We eased the boats down the forty-foot __[7][noun ]__ by means of ropes and burros and then packed our gear into them at water’s edge.  As usual, Bob had forgotten his __[8][adjective]__ __[9][noun ]__ in his truck at the other end of the shuttle. The canoe of another member who shall go nameless was heavily overloaded with all sorts of  __[10][adjective & noun ]__.

Bruce announced that the trip might be a tad underestimated at __[11][number]__ miles, and that we’d first stop when we were  __[12][fraction]__ finished. With that we got started and Bruce was three-quarters of a mile ahead. 

The riverbank was much eroded from Super Storm __[13][proper name]__. While the cottonwoods and black willows were mostly intact on the bluff, many  __[14][noun (plural)]__ had tumbled into the river to create snags and hazardous __[15][noun (plural) ]__ .

Unexpectedly we stopped when Bruce sighted a partially buried __[16][noun ]__.  On this same gravel bar Bruce identified specimens of quadrula apiculate (Southern Mapleleaf) and lampsilis teres (Yellow Sandshell) and then excitedly pointed out a specimen of __[17][noun ]__. At his home he said he’d spotted specimens of pyganodon grandis (Giant Floater) and __[18][noun ]__.  Kent held up two brimming handfuls of what he thought were __[19][noun (plural)]__ but Bruce said they were only corbicula fluminea (Asian Clams).  Amy couldn’t get a  __[20][two adjectives]__ __[21][noun ]__ off of her left calf, Bruce said be careful she didn’t tear her __[22][noun ]__ or injure her meniscus. Portz relentlessly looked around for petrified wood, doubloons, fulgurites, and __[23][noun]__.

Declaring the trip a success, Bruce offhandedly mentioned that the number of bird species he’d sighted in the first __[24][number]__ miles of the trip had been two hundred and twenty-eight, including one __[25][noun]__, which Natalie said she hadn’t spotted.  Bruce also said he spotted a __[26][adjective (color) & noun]__ nestled behind a __[27][two adjectives]__ tree.

The take-out turned out to be steep-sided as the put-in, but again, that’s the __[28][adjective]__ Brazos. The final headcount showed that the requisite 85’% had made it the entire distance, a strict club requirement. The __[29][adjective]__  and __[30][adjective]__ riffles had been a problem for some, if only because of the __[31][two adjectives]__ eddies. 

I think I won’t do that again! I’m happier in my chair with my __[32][noun ]__, my __[33][noun ]__, and __[34][noun (plural]__.