The day broke clear, no clouds, no fog, and a bit of a southerly breeze that would build all day. I excitedly popped the kayak in and let the breeze blow me north towards the state park. This Sunfish sailor crossed my bows as I neared the parkland, where I hoped to see some birds.
Sure enough as I got close to shore a bright Kingfisher dove for breakfast, then alit in a nearby tree. I tried to get close enough for a picture.
He’s in there somewhere but I couldn’t get close enough for a good shot. He kept on moving away and I kept on paddling away, heading clockwise along the shore.
As I approached the beach a pair of Kingbirds or other flycatcher did some aerial acrobats, but my phone camera couldn’t catch the action.
I passed the beach but drifted for a bit to get some pictures of the Potawatomi State Park Inn, where our brilliant daughter got married some years ago. It still looks great, built in the depression by the WPA in a very nice “”Lodge” style, with a big native stone fireplace.
Just past the beach is the Boat House, with various types of boats available for rent, including kayaks and pontoons as well as paddle boats.
There’s a little shallow lake just beyond to the north, but the water lilies were so thick I couldn’t get back there. The ducks were quite pleased I didn’t come any closer, as was the Great Blue Heron.
I had intended to go completely around the lake, but now I had the wind in my teeth. Halfway back I decided to head for home and cross the lake. There wasn’t too much traffic, but now the south wind was kicking up pretty good.
It was just then that I realized I had forgot to put the Kayak completely together. Forgot to put in the seat and the skeg on the bottom which helps it go straight. No wonder I felt so out of shape, although by now I was starting to paddle pretty straight.
Just as I passed Grassy Island, the halfway point, I got buzzed!
This float plane went right over my head, going upwind. I paddled faster, hoping he didn’t turn for a final approach and landing! He did turn and headed right back at me but kept his altitude. Although I was a bit disappointed as I thought “WOW, what if he lands really close! I can get some great pictures!” Maybe next time. They have a big fly in here in a few weeks with lots of these planes landing. Some even taxi out of the water right up on the beach at the State Park.
Yesterday I mentioned the great article by Camille Peri, Fanny and Robert were a Victorian Power Couple, but I neglected to post this picture.
Today I found a great article on Word Press: The Letters of RLS: An Inland Voyage.
Guess who also liked to paddle?
Yep, our good friend Robert Louis Stevenson, above in July, 1876. The next month he would take his new “Rob Roy” canoe, which he named Arethusa, and head to Antwerp, where he and a friend would begin a canoe trip through the canals and rivers of Belgium and France.
I thought of him gamely trying to paddle the River Oise in spite of his many health issues. He wrote a story about it, An Inland Voyage, published in 1878. You can download the book free from the Library of Scotland. Another one on my list!
Apparently entire villages came to the river bank to cheer him, not because of his literary fame, which was years ahead, but because of the novelty of the boats and their paddlers.
Well I didn’t get any villages out to greet me on my return, but the Brilliant Wife was came to the end of our pier and insisted on taking a picture as I paddled home about 90 minutes after leaving.
I’ve named my little kayak the Arethusa. Thanks so much for paddling along~!
I've been up the creek without a paddle a lot of my life. Beautiful landscape and place,and creatures,thanks for "sharing " it with us
I'm amazed at how robust that inflatable kayak is. Don't they have a habit of deflating at dire times?