I like this for so many reason. First of all, the composition is so naturally nice, the "gradient" rule of thirds, starting with the blue water on the bottom, gradually fading with the river flow, fading to the white, washed out sky (with blown highlights being the positive thing here). Secondly and more important, the story is wonderful. It has so many endings, actually, it has so many begginings. Thanks for depicting it.
oh man. I really like the colors. when I try processing like this I usually blow out the highlights or kill the details in shadows, good job for preserving both yet getting such great contrast.