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The story: Vic and Robbi Castleberry are the wise elders of the Spokane River.
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The main Spokane River Dialogues page with transcripts, past stories and videos is at: www.spokesmanreview.com/sections/riverdialogues

Avid canoeists Vic and Robbi Castleberry have formed a special bond with the Spokane River. Their love affair with the river stretches back 40 years. Some have called them its wise elders.

This is a second in a monthly series of "Spokane River Dialogue" videos that I am producing over the next year. Each video showcases people who share a passion and concern for the future of the river.

Editorial writer Rebecca Nappi and I met the Castleberrys for an interview at Plese Flats just below the Bowl and Pitcher in Riverside State Park. Afterwards, they took me for a quiet ride in their canoe. It was a little nerve-wracking getting into a tipsy canoe with about 10 grand worth of video and camera equipment. I enjoyed the ride and my equipment survived, although my 44-year-old knees were a little worse for wear. I just don't bend like I used to.

These river videos are time-consuming to edit. The A-roll interviews last about 40 minutes and I am on my own to figure out how to condense it into a three-minute video. I am getting faster with my editing but I struggle with what to cut out. The Castleberrys had so many passionate things to say about the river. I also took a helicopter ride over the Spokane River that gave me some good B-roll to add to the video. My assignment was to shoot a special section cover photo of the reconditioned Monroe Street Bridge. I just told the pilot to keep going along the river. The helicopter is one of those very small types without a door. It was a bumpy ride and I worried the wind would rip my camera out of my hands. I can’t complain. What other job lets you canoe the Spokane River one day, then take a thrilling helicopter ride over the city the next.

Excellant! your photo rekindle my spark for photojournalism