The Huldrafolk

Last night, I dreamed of huldrafolk.  The huldra and her male counterpart, the huldrekarl, are the hidden people of Norsk folklore. Huldrafolk have the ability to shapeshift - the female huldra often appears as a beautiful woman and may use that to lure a man to her people where he might become a captive.  I suppose that this tale may have been a more palatable excuse for why a skilled outdoorsman disappeared without a trace.  A huldra can be recognized by viewing it from behind, where it will either appear as a burned out hollow log or, have a tail.  I dreamed of a tall skyscraper, something similar to the Empire State Building, and when I walked around behind it, I found it to be a burned out hollow log.  Our modern huldrafolk are the obesely wealthy who often appear as brilliant and talented, but just as often turn out to be ruthless, self-centered, and greedy people with little in the way of a soul.  Waking from my dream, I realize and think about how our current President is very much a huldrekarl - a shapeshifter who lures people into his circle where only too late, they discover that he is burned out hollow creature.

The day was windy near the coast, but much less so inland.  I put in near the route 133 bridge over the Housatonic with an aim of paddling to Lover's Leap.  On my last trip here, I was met by high winds coming down river that convinced me to abort the trip after little more than a half mile.  Today is sunny, temperature in the low 80's, and a moderate wind.

As I head upriver, I find the wind to come from all around the clock, tailwind in places, headwind in others, crosswind or calm at times.  While the forested hillsides are not particularly high, the geography someone whirls and redirects the wind. It is noticeably odd.

I sight and flush Great Blue Herons more than any other bird, and it maybe totals a dozen.  Otherwise, it is just a pleasant cruise with little boat traffic or distraction.  It is an easy cruise and I am surprised to reach Lover's Leap, a distance of 6 miles, in several minutes less than 2 hours. 

I head back, finding the wind to be no different than on my way out - no stronger than before and still coming from any direction depending on where I am.  The exciting moment is finding a mature Bald Eagle eating a large dead carp.