Perspective

The world just looks better from this angle, with the water lapping gently against the side of the kayak, the birdsong in the trees, a light breeze on the lake.

This is Cross Creek Lake, looking more festive than it looked the last time it was featured on this obscure blog. And it was my new kayak's maiden voyage. The lake was busier than I would have liked, and I was just about the only person there without an engine and a fishing pole. I'm thinking we'll look into some alternative destinations next time around. But it's still beautiful to be out on the water. Paddle into a quiet cove, explore the shoreline, pull out a book and a bag of almonds, glare at all the fishers in order to make them think you're a little weird and dangerous, because if they think you're creepy, then they won't steer their noisy-engined lazyman watercraft into your cove and ruin your idyll.

There's nothing like accessing a woodland spot that can only be reached by boat. There are no trails through much of this park, since trails require walking, and the people who use this park don't want to put that much work into it. So the kayak is a great way to reach parts of the forest that can't be reached on foot unless you're willing to bushwack through some thick backcountry.

Actually, the best place I know to boat across the lake to a pristine sylvan haven is at Elk State Park, up north. You begin on the narrow shoreline of the very lame-arse state park, then cross the water to the opposite shore, where you find yorself in the immense and nearly unvisited Elk State Forest. I must make it back up there someday.