The title of this post brings to mind a high school trip to Spain one summer. A classmate named Marla purchased a folk guitar during the trip, and the song "Down by the River" by Neil Young became our anthem. We travelled the country wailing the lyrics, which included "down by the river, I shot my baby." (See the complete lyrics here, since there's a bit more to the story.)
One of the guys on the trip had been sent off for the summer by his parents after stealing and crash landing a private plane. I, on the other hand, had worked part-time for a year to pay for the trip and was there to improve my Spanish language skills. It was a group with mixed objectives, to say the least, but we all had a transformational time, singing included.
Nothing so dramatic happens down at the Mangaotaki River at Struan Farm. The only things that might get shot from time to time are the wild geese when their numbers get out of control, our scenic rapids, or some photographs.
We've got a lovely stretch of rapids with corrugated limestone rocks. They are more or less vigorous depending on the level of the river. There are great spots to kayak or drift along on an inner tube in the right conditions.
I'm starting to shoot down by the river, this was my first attempt.
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