From Downtown Columbia, take Gervais over the bridge and turn left immediately at the end of the bridge, then take an immediate left into the park. On the right the New Orleans Riverfront Restaurant is for sale. By the river workmen are constructing a stage in the amphitheater for a band to play on the weekend. Down in the wide wide Congaree, out in the middle of the river, two men are standing knee deep, fishing.
Riverside markers tell the history of the rivers: From the mountains, the Pacolet, the Enoree and the Tyger flow into the Broad. The Saluda flows into Lake Greenwood and then Lake Murray. The Waccamaw flows into the Saluda. The Saluda and the Broad come together into the Congaree. We are on the banks of the Congaree.
Today there are many dogs walking their people: golden retrievers, yellow labs, a brown labradoodle, miscellaneous brown-yellow dogs with black muzzles. Boofa drinks at the Gamecock Dogs Only water bowls.
A young woman runs by, slim, lythe, quick and sleek as a deer. She resembles those Somalian runners who consistently win marathons. Her white T-shirt says "USC Track and Field".
Two men tell me to walk on the left side as there is a snake on the right. I did not see it.
Dark clouds are threatening rain. The sweet heavy scent of honeysuckle floats in the air.
There is also the more cloying strong sent of the Spiraea Latifolia. This scent is like the
scent of some lillies. There is one lovely sweet everlasting bush.
A sign tells of the steam boat called The City of Columbia which hauled lumber and other supplies from Columbia to Georgetown between the years of 1905 to 1916.
We walk the full three mile length and back. Just as we get in the car, the rain falls. There is a man with a long pony tail wearing a black brimmed hat, a gordon plaid long coat, white stockings and black shoes walking briskly toward the State House.
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