Finally

At first they almost didn't notice.
Little creeks that flowed despite the more and more bitter cold.
But as they started to descend from the mountain range there was more and more of them, joining together, skipping along the stones with tingling challenge.
The world around them was glittering with icy frosting, precarious to navigate.
And yet, as the stream became river, it refreshed the wandering hearts.
As they looked across the plain, covered in snow with occasional conifer, it seemed tied together by that blue ribbon.
Where the fresh water hugs salt in welcome, their ship will be waiting.