Kayaker Story Starter: Around the Bend
Pen and ink drawing detail.
Kayaking is a familiar rhythm across the PA Wilds, a region shaped by miles of waterways, including two National Wild & Scenic Rivers that wind patiently through forests and valleys. Boats are loaded at quiet pull-offs, outfitters shuttle paddlers upstream, and rivers invite travelers to move at the water’s pace. Once the paddle dips in, the world slows down.
This Story Starter brings me full circle. It is inspired by one of my pen-and-ink illustrations created for the PA Wilds Collaborative Series - a kayaker drawing chosen as a nod to this popular choice of outdoor recreation.
Photo by Julie Mader - Hamlin Lake, Smethport PA
Prompt Excerpt
...At first, there was talking — quick jokes, a little nervous laughter, the kind that comes with new beginnings. The kayaks drifted and bumped gently as the current carried them downstream. One of them paused to watch a heron lift off from the bank, wings flashing white before disappearing around a bend…
Will your story unfold as a peaceful escape?
A moment of connection between friends?
A surprise around the bend?
Download your free “Around the Bend” printable here.
This Story Starter is designed to be a springboard to creativity. The downloadable PDF includes the full prompt along with a set of open-ended companion questions inspired by the image. The questions are meant to spark personal stories, shared conversations, or quiet moments of reflection.
Carried by the Current
As the wife of a retired Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission Conservation Officer, I’ve heard countless stories about what makes a good day on the water and what helps everyone get home safely. Respecting the river or lake, paying attention to conditions, and looking out for one another are part of the rhythm of paddling and a day afloat.
This Kayaker Story Starter is part of Tell Me a Wilds Story, a six-week series inspired by the images of the PA Wilds Collaborative Series Postcards | Greeting Cards. New prompts are being released weekly throughout January and early February.
From Pine Creek to the Clarion River, the Pennsylvania Wilds region is threaded with miles of designated water trails - gentle stretches, winding corridors, and places where nature sets the pace. Each one holds the possibility of a story waiting to be told. Learn more here.