water girl

Today we had sunshine. Not overcast, not partially cloudy, but a full beautiful sunny day with a clear blue sky. After a week of overcast, drizzly days that felt more like a cool fall day I was ready.

Ready to be out on the water enjoying the lake. Skirting that fine line between being in the water and above it slipping around the lake in a kayak. Ohhhhhhh how I needed to be out and alone on the water.

Two weeks into my summer job at a summer camp, we've been diligently taking care of business. It's all starting to fall together and things are running smooth. But there hasn't been time nor cooperative weather to really get out and just take a minute to breathe in and out and enjoy the incredible surroundings of the area. Today was the day.

I think for me to finally be able to do SOMETHING physical was an additional blessing. I've been recovering from foot surgery and it's been a long stretch from my last workout or doing anything that resembled moving around without crutches or a walking boot. To be free from gravity and let my core and arms do the work of getting my little yellow boat around the lake was so amazing.

But today wasn't really about a workout or toning my body (even though that was a plus). Today was about being alone, me and the water and my thoughts. Sunshine on my white mid-western pale skin - ahhhhhh Vitamin D sunshine therapy!!!

As I glided under the bridge into the calm area of the lake I met up with a grandma and her boys - just drifting along on blow up tubes. What a great way to start the day. The other boys were on land - fishing in their PJs!!! I can only think that these are the days that they will reflect back on when they are older and smile. Yeah - we went fishing - in our PJs!

Coming around into the bay I smelled the sweet, salty, greasy aroma of bacon. It took me back to the days when we had a cabin in Iowa in Northwest Iowa. Weekend breakfasts always included pancakes and bacon - and generally it was 10 o'clock in the morning when we'd finally roll out out bed. Lake living was always late dinners and late wake up breakfast - squeezing out all the time in the sun as we could.

This area of the lake is one of my favorite places, it's pristine spring fed waters are so clear it is easy to see the fish meandering under the small craft and occasionally a startled beaver will scoot by! The drop offs in the lake are erratic. A great area for sport fishing with the vast vegetation and craggy bottom structure. I drift a bit to see if any big ol' fish are going to show their fins. No luck in sighting them I paddle on towards a man sitting on his dock enjoying his coffee and reading the Sunday paper. He has a small salt and pepper dog sitting near him.

"Is that a schnauzer?" I remark in a curious neighborly tone (knowing full well it looks like my mini schnauzer that I am missing terribly).
"Yes, she's actually a mini."

It turns out her name was Daisy. He thought that it was amusing I had a Lily. Daisy came up and licked the lake water off my hands. We chatted a bit about the upcoming weather and how he'd already lost a few trees. I wished him a good day and paddled on. I imagine I will see them again when I cruise that area.

I made a full lap and a half around the quiet bay and out around the peninsula towards the lily pad field. There are so many of them and I try not to disturb them. They are not a plant that I am accustomed to seeing. Iowa isn't exactly a state full of lakes, nor do their lakes have many water plants on the water. I love seeing the changes in these water botanical over the summer. Their leaves grow broader and shade fish and other creatures from July and Augusts unrelenting sun rays. Their flowers area so sturdy and brilliant yellow. They seem to thrive in this sandy environment.

The yacht club is holding a Regatta today. Someday I will learn to sail. It looks so coordinated and effortless from my perch, but I know it's a different scene on their boat. Constant attention to sails, the boom, pulling up slack, steering, rutter change. Teamwork makes that a well oiled machine. They move so slow from a distance, but as I approach they streak by my flimsy plastic boat. I love it!

The wind and wake are picking up now as it's closer to lunch. I have totally forgotten about anything that was troubling to me. Now the focus is on the organic earthy smell of the lake water, feeling the comfort of the warm sun on my skin, hearing the "blattt" of the air horn from the Regatta. It's all about the connection of nature and reconnecting.

Water has always been a significant element in my life. I have been a lifeguard since I was 15. I've worked at a lakefront, managed a waterfront at a camp, managed a water park, been a synchronized swimmer and swim lesson instructor.

There is also a strong connection of peace and renewal associated with this liquid healing element. Many of my formative years were spent growing up at a summer camp strengthening my core values. It's very spiritual and grounding. I need to be reconnected....and today it's cleansing away a lot of baggage that I need to have washed away.

I greet another kayaker as I pass near  another dog friend....this one is a very curious golden doodle. He's on the dog leaning very precariously over towards the water. I think he must see a fish. Both his owner, who is looking down from her 2nd story of her stone mansion, and I are looking on and waiting for the dog to make a headlong splash in the water. But he backs up and stays dry and I continue on.

I make my way over to "the bench" a curiously uber large white bench. The bottom is clear, sandy and a bit rocky. I want to come back here with my camera and the family for a photo op. I continue on the perimeter of the lake methodically paddling, not even aware of my effort. It's all auto pilot. As I approach the narrows I come to my senses and realize that I need to make time to return to my docking spot. Oh yes, time to head back to reality. More boats have come out to play and the wind has picked up. Now a bit of workout begins and my muscles start to have a pleasant burn as I am enjoying the exercise.

I cut back closer to the far side of the island and notice the white belly of a fish. Cool. Maybe it's just stunned and I can help him get back on his way. I slide the paddle under him and try and coax a bit of motion back. Nothing. I try again and he rolls over to reveal a major slide to his side. Darn - looks like he was hit by a boat prop. Markings look like a tiger musky - I have to know. I poke him more with the paddle in hopes of revealing his head so I can figure out what this creature is. After many attempts I raise his head to find this prehistoric long beak. It's a gar. Too bad. I know they are an invasive species but how can you not find these fish that are a cross between and alligator and a norther pike interesting. I'd prefer not to ever cross one in the water, but I can appreciate their odd appearance. Bye Mr. Gar...you'll make some turtle very happy.

More boats have tied up on the sandbar for their weekly event. All  of our boats have returned to their slips at camp and I am wondering just how long I've been gone! I hoist the small kayak up the beach, stow my oar and hang up my life jacket as I see my daughter walking toward me.

"Did you just finish lunch?" I ask her having no clue how long I've been in my water intoxication world.

"Yeah. Did you just go out kayaking?" she remarks, I wonder if I look like I am still rocking on land from the hypnotic waves. I told her about where I went, the bench and the gar. I remind her to get more sunscreen, give her quick hug and send her on her way. It appears I've been on a 2 hour adventure!

Back on land. Time to change gears and my wet clothes, but not too much and not too fast. I am looking forward to getting out again and peering into the underworld of the lake as I drift silently above. Losing myself in the power of the water - washing it all away.