Labor Day is already here and the summer has passed swiftly like the current of a raging river in the mountains. But,I haven't taken time to spend with my friends and the nature around me. Between laborious work at Big O Tires five days a week and helping around the house on weekends, there is not much time for myself. This weekend, on the other hand, is my weekend, and we are heading to the scenic Osage River for a Labor Day float.
             On this cloudy and chilly Monday morning, I crawled out of bed sloth-like and waddled to the bathroom like a penguin in the arctic. After much anticipation, I called up my friends to confirm our plans of proceeding on this vast journey down the mighty Osage. The time is now just a few minutes after noon, and Mark, Joe, Jake, Adam, and I set sail for the great adventure, like Christopher Columbus in search for the " New World". Not knowing what was ahead of us, we set forth on our expected three or four hour journey to Pikes Camp in Wardsville, Missouri.
             After floating amidst the cool and chilly water for half an hour, we decide to make a stop at a small island located in the center of the river. Formed by a collection of vast amounts of creek gravel, the large island would easily consume two football fields within its well-rounded boundaries. While inspecting the large collection of smooth stones, a thick aroma of partially decaying fish saturates the air like the smog in Chicago during rush hour. On opposite sides of the small island, towering trees outline the boundaries of this extravagant waterway. The wind whistle,s like song birds singing to the sun at the break of dawn, as it blows through the leaves, making them dance gracefully, like an eagle soaring over a valley. Looking towards the end of island, Mark is seen swimming in the noticeably cool water. We all then slowly propel ourselves through the water as we splash around like the dolphins in the a local circus. ...