A delicate blanket of “cotton” from falling seed pods coated the narrow path amid oaks, cottonwoods, and undergrowth.

We were headed for the Stanislaus River.

Ashley wanted to catch some fingerlings on the muddy edge of the river that runs along Ripon’s southern edge.

The Carol & Ives-style coating of nature around us, however, stopped our progress. Ashley was mesmerized momentarily then quickly set about harvesting as much of the fluffy cotton stuff as she could.

Ashley was a 12-year-old at the time that was at home with frogs, lizards, mice and pollywogs. 

She had lived in Ripon for several years but had no idea that there was a river let alone accessible woodlands just a skip and a holler from The Bluffs neighborhood southeast of the Highway 99 and Main Street interchange.

By the time we walked on one of the narrow, winding paths that take you to the river’s edge between Stouffer Park and the pedestrian bridge overcrossing that parallels Highway 99, Ashley was convinced she had found heaven, Ripon style.

Ashley eventually got her fingerlings on a spot on the Stanislaus that is relatively calm, along the bank before it turns westward to head under the Highway 99 bridges. She also tried her hand at snapping seed pods, spent countless minutes trying to snare elusive butterflies, and checked every tree that looked like a possible lizard condo.

Ashley could have stayed for hours. This was her version of Disneyland.

The Stanislaus River is a forgotten place for many.

For most in the South County, it is 15 minutes or less away by car. The river is largely ignored even by those who cross it several times a day heading south on Highway 99 from Ripon into Stanislaus County.

It is easy to miss it from the freeway. The bridge is non-descript. There is no upward arch of the pavement. The river itself is camouflaged from sight most of the way thanks to heavy, wooded growth.

Most probably know it is “there” much in the same way that Oakland is “there.” But unlike the literary reference to Oakland as being a place where “there is no there there” the Stanislaus River is definitely worth a visit.

The best place to do so without traveling toward Escalon, Oakdale, or Knights Ferry, not paying admission to Caswell State Park, or trespassing across private property south of Manteca, is to access the river in Ripon.

For the longest time, the woodland was the play ground of a few Tom Sawyer types, an occasional hobo, and those teens who are convinced a rite of passage includes grabbing a six pack and illegally consuming beer on the river’s edge.

There are broad and beaten paths farther from the river that some had used for pleasure walks and exercise. It wasn’t until Ripon opened up the area with the placement of a pedestrian bridge over the Stanislaus River that more people started to embrace the recreational opportunities and the beauty of nature.

Ripon leaders took the progressive stance that as much of the woodlands along the river’s edge need to become accessible to the public for use.

Ashley didn’t believe me when I told her that Ripon was on a river. She had lived in Ripon until the age of 6 and had no inkling the Stanislaus was close by. Like many valley travelers, she had no idea that Highway 99 crossed a river thanks in part to the narrow, wooded nature of the Stanislaus and the simplistic Caltrans bridge design.

Take the bike path and paved walking trail leading down to the bridge. You will quickly escape from the barren and dry landscaping basking in 85-degree heat to a pleasant 10-degree temperature drop amid a shady riverside woodland environment.

Abandon the main trail and take off on a path to the east that ultimately leads you to the edge of Stouffer Park a little ways up river. It is on this path where you will realize traffic sounds no longer drone. They have been replaced by a fairly loud chorus of chirping birds.

It is here you thank your good luck for two things — a creative Mother Nature and a Ripon leadership that understands just how valuable the river woodlands are to people and how the quality of life is enhanced by working to provide even greater access to the river’s edge.

To reach Dennis Wyatt, e-mail dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com