The first few days of paddling each year are spent on the river, launching from Pioneer Park, Riverside Park, or Valleyview.     Once the weather warms and the winds abate, the valley-bottom lakes are next.    On a calm March morning the winds were light and the sun was out on the South Thompson River.

There were ducks and geese on the river.     On the shore were crows, magpies, and an occasional dog walker.     A swan flew overhead, heading upstream.     I paddled up past the Yellowhead Highway Bridge and turned around, happy with a one hour paddle on the river.