River, Take Me Along.....

The following are the lyrics of a Scottish Ballad that I have been enjoying, while thinking of the marvelous memories that have been created in my heart from the times spent at Sycamore Island Ranch in the many years past. The ballad is entitled "River" and recorded by Alex Beaton. You can view his website at: http://www.alexbeaton.com.

I was born in the path of the winter wind,
Raised where the mountains roll.
Their springtime waters came dancing down,
I remember the tales they told.

The whistling ways of my younger days
Too quickly have faded on by.
But all of their memories linger on
Like the light in the fading sky.

River, take me along
In your sunshine, sing me a song.
Ever moving and winding and free,
You rolling old river, you changin' old river,
Let's you and me river, run down to the sea.

Well I've been to the city
And I've been back again,
Been moved by some things that I've learned.
Met a lot of good people
And I call them friends.
Felt the change when the seasons turned

I heard all the songs that the children sing.
I've listen to love's melodies.
I felt my own music within your eyes,
Like the wind in the autumn trees.

River, take me along
In your sunshine, sing me a song.
Ever moving and winding and free,
You rolling old river, you changin old river
Let's you and me river, run down to the sea.

Some day when the flowers are blooming still,
Some day when the grass is still green
My rolling waters will round the bend
And flow into the open sea.

So here's to the rainbow that followed me here.
Here's to the friends that I know,
And here's to the song that's within me now,
I will sing it where e'er I go

River, take me along
In your sunshine, sing me a song.
Ever movin' and winding and free
You rollin' old river, you changin' old river,
Let's you and me river, run down to the sea.

Observations:

Yesterday was Earth Day, and as such it was an opportunity for the general public to access Sycamore Island Ranch. Nope - not for fishing, picnicing or anything like that. The River Tree Volunteers held a work day at Sycamore Island, in the effort of clean-up, as directed by the Parkway, and welcomed volunteers. The gate was unlocked and the workers stayed at it all day. Three large trash bins, the size of small railroad cars had been delivered earlier in the week. Some of the items accomplished were:

1. Many of the large metal crusher bowls were moved into a pile near the old shop for disposal or removal from the property at a future date. It was said that the Parkway fears that people might utilize them for campfires, so are removing them from the property.

2. The old abandoned cabin toward the west end of the property was demolised and removed. Not a board or nail remains.

3. The front part of the bait shop was demolished and removed in preparation for the demolition crew which is coming to demolish and remove the bait shop, the small first bait shop, and the old Goodall Trucking Office. Apparently asbestos has been discovered in the small old bait shop and the Trucking Office.

4. Many of the plants near or around the bait shop were dug up and removed, some repotted for relocation.

I'm sure plenty of other general clean-up, trash removal and possibly other demolition of fences, gates, etc. took place.

I heard that the River Tree volunteers are hoping to gain approval for access when enjoying canoe trips on the San Joaquin, although at this point, they can still not utilize Sycamore Island to either put in or take out their canoes from the river.

It's been said that the Bait Shop and other building aforementioned will be nothing but a memory by May 14, 2006.

One interested party mentioned that he had heard that Surveillence Cameras are due to be installed, as unauthorized visitors have been known to be on the property. No date of installation has been made known to the author.

Further items of interest, it has been observed by other parties that the river has broken through to the Third Pond, thus allowing legal access to that pond by those traversing via the river. I repeat, though, that it is illegal to place foot on dry land. I am also unaware of whether the river will continue to flow into the Third Pond once Friant cuts the waterflow.

Finally, it has been said that the Parkway has suggested opening the property in some way or form in late May or June, although we do not know of any details, what type of opening or for what purpose. With the removal of previous structures and erosion of the roads, one can be assured that it will be a far cry from resembling anything that historically had been enjoyed.

That's all the report I have for now.

The Barrier Has Been Established. Yes, that's correct, a strong fence, gate, lock and barbed wire has been erected across the only drivable entry to Sycamore Island Fishing Ranch. It's been there for about a week now. I was waiting to post this message until I have the opportunity to take a photo, but felt urgency to post the message now. The photo will be posted in the next few days. There is no access to the riverbottom at Sycamore Island via the Madera entry. The prior owners, Mr. & Mrs. Jim Moen have not been given a key to the gate. Keep in mind, though, that the Parkway established this barrier on what is still property belonging to the Moens; not on the Parkway property. To establish a barrier as such on specifically-owned Parkway property would be a much more extensive and expensive undertaking.

Those that have been past care-takers of the land can no longer access the riverbottom property. NOR can anybody who lives within immediate reach to the barrier allow access to fire, rescue, law enforcement or ambulance through this gate. I'll presume that the Parkway has made arrangements for immediate access for those public servants - at least I would hope so. The residents on the Madera bluff have not been advised of such, though.

Note that there has been no observation of anybody from the Parkway controlling walk-ins or otherwise - be it from the Fresno or Madera side. There's no longer any control in that regard that has been observed - who knows what's going on down there now?

On a brighter side, we know that the north channel is finally running again, as the release of water from Friant Dam is presently at about 10,000 cfs. Maybe a few of the fish have survived the death of the channel from the past months lack of river flow - there were a few areas where water remained standing. Hopefully, any surviving fish will make a hasty retreat to the river before the channel runs dry again when the flow is once again restricted. Note that the Parkway group did invest some of the funds they have at their disposal to install another culvert in hopes of keeping the channel running, but, Alas, it did not work and the channel remained dry until the excessive flow began from the rain and snow run-off just a week ago. As soon as Friant cuts the flow of water again, the channel will once again run dry.

Another curious question that has entered my mind is that the Parkway established their entire plan on a contiguous plan for a complete accessible park from Friant Dam to the 99 bridge. The entire 27 miles. Well, it's not contiguous, as you cannot traverse from Friant clear to 99 via boat or by car, or by bike, or by foot. You'd have to have a mix of all three, (Which is pretty much impossible) as levies between ponds have broken by high waters, and with the Environmentalist's requirements of not putting any material (even if it is riverbottom soil) back into the flowing river waters - which now flow directly into some ponds, things have changed, and there's no going back. Not unless their rules change.

As to the Parkway's efforts to reopen for fishing, or progress for the bait-shop, etc. We've seen nor heard nothing that would indicate that progress is being made. Your guess is as good as mine. If you've heard anything positive or progressive in this issue, please post to this blog and give us who have spent years loving this special property something to hold on to!

--- Still feeling caged from what has been my "back-yard" for almost 20 years..... Yours Truly....