The Yellow River Exploration

To my vivid and magnificent Princess Celestia, in the 603rd YR, my 7,238th letter

We have arrived at the first cataract; Xiolangdi is anything but what we expected. We had hoped to use the air bags to lift the Lament over the rocks and rejoin the river. Instead the river’s decent is fractured into several smaller breaks and falls. Our ship floats in the air well, but is difficult to move, seemingly even slower to maneuver than when in the water. Winds prevent us from being a true airship and my earlier pulling practice serves us well. We don’t have the local onlookers here, not that there are none, but they seem to be avoiding us. Perhaps, to let us experience our embarrassment alone should we fail or perhaps because we are doing something impossible in their minds.

While we got an early start in the morning, I wish you were here to hold the sun in the firmament above for we need the light. Sea Salt is getting agitated with our progress and the Wing sisters seem flustered. If we make a mistake, we could be marooned here mid cataract. Gail & Gentle secretly wish for more pegasi as moving a ship is nothing like moving a cloud. I would be hard pressed to do this alone, but then I would have a smaller ship or maybe no ship at all. Using a wagon or caravan for this journey could also be done, but I am enjoying this adventure.

As night fell, we lite our lanterns and this made my work easier, but both Mr. Pass and Sea Salt started a long chain of disparaging complaints as their vision was reduced. Brush Broom was pressed into service carrying a lantern further up the series of cataracts to provide reassurance to the ship bound Sea Salt and Calm Pass. Many times did I have to encourage her to go on ahead to the next cataract. Her lantern did not make visibility better for me. Jelly Bread also joined her in confusing my sight but helping Sea Salt and Mr. Pass receive clearer description of the river course. With the appearance of the moon all our visibility increased and rather that stop halfway up the cataract we pressed on until confident or our achievement.

Upon finding a flat patch of river we harbored for the night. I stood watch alone for between the frustration and exhaustion of the others, I enjoyed the solitude. As the sun rose, Jelly Bread took the watch and was happy to hear we would take a liberty that day.

I awoke in the early afternoon, sore with burning muscles from my exertions the night before. Mr. Pass and Gail were on watch, Miss Broom and Sea Salt had sought out the local village, while the others were still sleeping their toils away. I decided to take a run; the local trails and roads looked inviting.

I found the run difficult but as my muscles warmed up, last night’s labors melted away. My hooves thundered down the path and reminded me of the annual events of the running of the leaves. The trees seemed to echo my sentiments even in this far off land and their branches whispered of the seasons to come.

Upon my return at dusk to the ship, I found her surrounded by friendly locals amazed at our ‘magic’ to surmount the Xiolangdi cataracts. Even more amazed were the Wing sisters to see me swimming after my run. I only wanted to wash the sweat off.

With all my generosity, loyalty, trustworthiness, humor, and kindness, Sum-po-neigh Knot Yew.