a subtle shifting wiggly line of two slightly varying shades of greenish brown separates the waters at the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri rivers. Timber and steel, concrete and piled rock hem in the compliant waters. The superstructures of urban architecture, railroad bridges, and interstate highway exchanges overpower the visual and audible sense of place. Metro scape. Urbania. In various stages of build up and decay. We floated like a piece of driftwood past it all, at the river’s pace, assisted by the breeze at our backs. Looking up at the bridges we drive over every day. The waft of sewage and roasting coffee and dog food production. The drone of power plants and rumble of trains. “If you wanted pretty and pristine” I chided at my friend, “you got on the wrong boat” We laughed at the irony of canoeing the industrial underbelly of this Kansas city. This day we were privileged.