Our Rio Grande kayaking trip today took us about 5 miles upstream to Cochiti Canyon. Water levels are dropping, making for some tricky navigation, and the current for the last third of the trip was fierce due to the narrowing river channel.

The monsoon rains made for lots of mud both in the water and on the banks, but we found a gravelly spot for lunch.

Seven years ago the canyon was filled with water, and we have fond memories of floating along the banks, seeing beavers and nesting swallows. Now it is all filled in with sand, a clear sign of ongoing climate change.

But we hiked up the canyon even further than we had been able to go in our boats. The towering cliffs and rock formations were awesome against the dark blue sky. there were a variety of wildflowers.

There were also a variety of wildflowers.

The return trip offered an easy ride with the current, and not much headwinds until we were almost at the lake. Sightings included Great Blue herons, one Black Crowned night heron, a merganser and other ducks, and even a Snowy egret in addition to a few ravens, turkey vultures, spotted sandpipers, and black phoebes.

As usual, we had the river to ourselves, and the stillness, solitude, and strong connections with nature were deeply inspiring and uplifting.