Wintertime On The River

There’s a stillness that comes with rivers in winter months. Many rivers freeze over up north, while our Saluda River keeps moving in cooler weather and rarely sees ice. But they all know winter.  The sound of water running over rocks is almost more palpable as a brisk wind flows over the river and hits your cheeks. As fish retreat further underwater to conserve their warmth, as birds have flown south to follow warmer temperatures, as friends once sunbathing on riverbanks now gather at their houses around a fire, the feeling a winter river brings is noticeably different. Wintertime on the river is still a gorgeous place to be.

Winter on the river is quieter. Many of the birds have flown south, no one is sunbathing by the water, and there are much fewer boaters due to the colder weather.  You can hear each small ripple of moving water. You can see the large nests beautifully constructed by Bald Eagles and Osprey in trees no longer full of vegetation. You experience the bare bones of the river.

See also - Health Benefits Of Living On The Saluda River