Eucha Lake, another clear lake where bass are plentiful, of course I’m going to have to take the locals word for it as we were skunked again. Smallmouth bass tend to be kind of finicky, you pay attention to the locals and where they go to catch the fish and we were right but we were about an hour early. This time of the year they catch them mostly at night, so as we were on our way out as the light of day faded boats were just coming in to position themselves in the same place where we were fishing.
I am getting more relaxed with the idea of being on a craft on the middle of a lake, even a ridiculously cold lake where the exit could be fatal with the onset of hypothermia. I was really uncomfortable on the windy wave swept Lake Murray but this lake and the day is completely still. There is a sound that is amazing that you never hear unless you get off the grid and into nature for a while. You hear only the birds and the movement of the water beneath the kayak. I have always said if there was a mountain near me I would exercise all the time well I guess I just found my substitute for the mountain; an open area of cool blue water on a still spring afternoon.
You exercise for hours and never feel like you are intentionally exercising. A stationary bike is boring to me-I want to get somewhere, explore somewhere. Earlier today we went to Natural Falls State Park, an incredible state park off the beaten path. We climbed the steep rocky ravines and enjoyed all the trails. You defiinitely realize how out of shape you are, which is something I am working on daily. Another aspect of the exercise is the piece of mind you get, there is something about those endorfens they talk about.
I relaxed and listened to wildlife and wrote for a while. I love to sit in the woods and finally for the first time in a while I was able to stop and enjoy it. There were woodpeckers making their nests in the trees or looking for dinner, couldn’t decide but they were definitely noisy. There were slate colored juncos, Eastern Bluebirds and many warblers. Matthew fished while I just sat and took everything in, he didn’t even want to go to this park being so intense about kayaking but now I’m having a problem getting him to leave.
After a full day of running around the area, exploring lakes and the falls, we are in the final hours of daylight, the chore that it was before doesn’t even exist any longer. We have perfected loading the kayaks on the car and getting in and out is getting easier every time. Next lake we will kayak is Ten Killer Lake-we are just starting to see the edge of the Ozarks, it’s been a wonderful trip so far. Until next time, get out and explore.