floating into Fall

We made it out onto the water to kayak one last time this season. It marks our fifth float this year. One less than last year. I normally don't track activities, but wanted to remind myself that we are indeed kayaking enough to have warrant purchasing. 

Kayaking is an activity we both enjoy. I am able to continue, thanks to my husband who does most of the heavy lifting and lends me a hand when needed. Kayaks are a much better water vessel choice for us than a Pontoon Boat. We seriously considered getting one more than once in our lifetime. The logistics do not make sense.

On a warm October 18th, we stopped the endless chore list to pause. As we headed out on the water at our favorite spot, it was easy to see the mirror part of Mirror Lake was back!

Ohhh how I love floating into fall!!

The reflections were stunning!

We shared the water heading out with one lone kayaking guy. He was far behind me, but I could hear his conversation clear as day. He kept his voice low and wasn't loud or obnoxious. Are you wondering who he was talking to? Me too. The water was so still you could hear a pine needle drop. Which means, I could hear his companion as well. He was taking to some women via Facetime/Zoom, or whatever video calling format. Ugh.

I wished for his phone battery to run out or connection to drop. It did and "hello, hello are you there?" could be heard. Thank goodness he came to his senses. I think perhaps he noticed he was missing the serenity. He said good-bye to chatty Kathy and stillness was restored.

I was so absorbed in the beauty of my surrounding that it was a while before I even noticed the lone kayaker had turned around and headed back.

color me happy

Early Fall is the best time to kayak. It is quieter and more colorful. Even with the occasional other 'yakers. They have just as much right as we do, to enjoy the water as they choose. 

The wind had picked up as we paddled out of the narrows and into the wide open. You may recall they were dredging this area on an earlier float. I spotted the parked barge at the public boat launch and paddled to take a closer look. 

hello barge-y

Wow, they really opened this area up! There was so much more open water to explore. 

They had moved dredging equipment to an area that had became impassable. We went to investigate. 

Some nesting area's remained

I noticed a black squiggly thing floating in the water. Eek!! It was a dredging line. Oops. I had no idea they left lines in the water. Needless to say we paddled outta there and headed back.

It was then I became overcome with emotion and stopped paddling. I didn't want to leave the peacefulness. Thoughts filtered through my mind, as the breeze slowly pushed my kayak along it's way. Swoosh. Swoosh. The calming swoosh of water was all I heard.

Brad had paddled waaay up ahead. He is the little tan spot next to the very last colorful left tree line above.

Further down I could hear wind chimes softly playing their tune. It was surreal. I wondered where the sound that matched the swaying water was coming from.

I found out near an older quaint cottage that was buttoned up for the Winter. They had pulled their dock. Water vessels were stored up by the cottage. Yet they left chimes by the shore. Softly playing their melody.

I was happy to see the crazy haired tortoise I spotted on the way out had not moved far. 

say cheese



colorful ferns

red & yellow glowing maples

My water lovin' heart was full. This tranquil float was the perfect way to close out season two. 

a different summer float

Yes, Summer float. Because Fall is no where in sight for the extended forecast. You can't change the weather, so you mine as well enjoy it. And we did.

We loaded up our kayaks and headed to Mirror Lake. It had been more than a month. On the drive up, I always wonder what will be different.

The lake is usually busier on a weekend. However, there were no large groups. The duo's we passed were spread out and all doing the same as we were. Quietly paddling with normal level conversing.

Heading out, this unfazed ducky girl kept mooning us as she dipped up/down/up:

ms. mallard

You could see to the bottom. I was surprised how clear the entry water was. Until it wasn't.

where did the water go?

A camouflaged Heron stood stoically on the banks. 

heron fishing thorough pea soup

The algae bloom was so thick you could hear your kayak cutting through. It made us laugh and offered a good upper body workout. Unusual for the algae to be thickest in the middle of the narrows. It made it difficult to see submerged branches. There were fewer mirrored water reflections that this lake is known for.  Also, no dancing reflections on shore to be enjoyed.

We noticed the large trees that had fallen earlier in the season and blocked water passage, were removed. However, the familiar leaning tree (below) hasn't budged since we started kayaking.

As we continued our paddle, the algae eventually cleared. 

under or over to the side, you decide

I was so surprised when we eventually reached the wide open water. It is usually thick with late season vegetation.

clear water

clear skies

The shoreline they were working on in August was visibly clearer. Offering more open water. 

clear shoreline

Apparently another side is being cleared. It should allow water passage again.

excavator spotted

There was a welcome breeze. I only saw a few dragonflies and no eagles this trip.

back to pea soup

tall rock outcroppings

The highlight of this water float for me was seeing the Heron. Brad was focused forward and missed him. I wonder how many other folks on the water did as well. He really blended in. On our way back to the boat dock, I was surprised to see the heron had not moved.

9.27.25



 iphone zoomie



crossing legs to prepare



listening for fish (?)

more duckies

While heading back home, I checked my kayaking notes. Interesting. We kayaked the same exact date last year. I was curious when the last/latest float date was last year: October 20, 2024. That seems late.

Hopefully we will get out on the water at least one more time, when Fall arrives ;) 

whatever it takes

I sent my hubby a calendar invite to go kayaking last week. True story. I told him I needed to get on his calendar lol. More/or less a joke. Brad accepted my kayaking invite and the rest is history. 

He is one busy "retired" guy. Brad had agreed to work the two days prior, helping our son with his excavating company. With all the added busy-ness, we planned a return trip to our favorite go-to location. Mirror Lake State Park. I've posted multiple times about this easy in/out paddling unique place. It is very popular. Water access areas will be closed for repair next year. We will enjoy paddling Mirror Lake while we can. 

I do enjoy brand new adventures and am in the process of researching a new (to us) location to try paddling. One has to be extra careful with unknown bodies of water. It appears to have a little of everything we like, but will require two vehicles. Will see if this trip ever happens. Maybe if I send a calendar invite ;) Hey, whatever it takes!

..............

I was not sure what to expect at Mirror Lake. It is different every time. Will the water be high from all the rain? or super buggy? Nope. However, it wasn't long before we discovered the stormy Summer had not spared this area. Several large trees had fallen into the water. One in particular changed the flow. We also came across larger down branches. 

Houston, we have a problem.

As we headed out, there was a big pine blocking the entire width of the narrows. We were not sure if it would even be passable. Until we got closer.

far left the tree top was under water!

Glad we were able to continue as planned. Paddling the other part of Mirror Lake is no fun in my opinion. It is noisy. It has many sad looking run down cottages, boat houses/piers. Not what one would expect on such a beautiful lake. Many first time kayaking renters paddle that area. We did. The worse part is it flows underneath the Interstate towards a roped off dam. Which is frightening and rumbles SO loud you cannot hear anything.

brad is waay up ahead

We had the narrows to ourselves paddling out. I found it very quiet. Perhaps the quietest yet. Like eery quiet. Quiet.

Maybe because the trees are in full foliage. Leaning towards the water and closing the sky up.

I hung back, soaking it all in. Did mention it was quiet? I glanced down at my phone, and smiled.

screen saver (Koda & I)

The lake eventually widens back up. We heard and noticed an excavator at the very end. I knew right then, there would be no eagles fishing or other larger birds sighted on this trip.   

a dredging boat heading over to the floating excavator

There were a few occasional ducks and other water loving birds flying overhead. I tried to ID them. Pretty sure one was a Kingfisher, but hard to know for sure at a distance.

On this float, we enjoyed a large variety of dragonflies and damselflies of all shapes and sizes. Zooming around. I wished for my camera & my own zoom! Every single time one came nearby and I turned my phone towards the winged action to snap a pic, they flew away. As if a reflection or motion warned them. Each and every time. There were striped ones, big ones, red ones, blue, green and smaller clear ones. Thanks to these guys, there were no mosquito's!

brilliant turquoise blue Damselfly resting on my kayak

red reflected Dragonfly in flight

Eventually, we turned our kayaks around and headed back. Just in time.

combined equipment created constant dull drudging noise

A large group of older kayakers were slowly heading our way. I would guess some of the new kayakers were in their upper 70's (or lower 80's). Perhaps a reunion of sorts? There were so many of them. I almost asked.

I can only hope I am still able to kayak, if I reach that age.

The older group did a lot better maneuvering than the last large younger group we encountered. Multi families were scattered and blocking the only passage area. Not moving. With kids on their own smaller vessels, whining and left to their own demise. Not the kids fault.

Good time to get off the water. We finally had some nice Summer weather and noticed the rental place was almost out of kayaks. 

In between the large groups we encountered, we stopped paddling to soak up more bliss. We watched light reflect off the water. Dancing on the banks. Especially the trees.

The light dancing is mesmerizing and always stops us mid-float. Brad mentioned at times the non-stop light dancing looks like a waterfall. Hard to capture the essence. It can be so dramatic. Much more than in the short video below. Not the greatest example. It is easiest to see a bit of light dancing on the left two smaller trees that are closer together. The larger the tree the bigger more vibrant dance. 

11 seconds

We also marveled at the water reflections. At times it looked like you could go down in between the reflected trees. Down, down, down into the deep depth of water and beyond.

8/14/25

 

float your troubles away

The day after our mini-vacation was Mothers Day. Brad asked if I wanted to go kayaking at Mirror Lake. It is our go to place and everything about the location fits us just right. He did not have to ask me twice!! I am always usually game for an adventure. Spending more quiet time together by/on the water would be perfect. The kids joined us for supper later on.

Last Spring we were kayak-less and had never experienced Mirror Lake in the Spring. The quietest time to be on the water any time of year is in the morning. Before yakity kayak yakers arrive.

heading out on the narrows

reflecting

sooo quiet you can hear yourself think

water was very clear with lotsa fishies

baby season

A couple kayakers were paddling the distant stream. Causing nesting parents to have a fit. The honkers were LOUD! We decided not to kayak any further and add to the poor parents stress.

cranes on distant shore

a larger floating flock of geese

We usually spot an eagle hunting the larger open water areas. We stopped paddling and watched an adult baldy fly closer and land on a tree. He took off again and circled above. If you watch the video you will see what (almost) happened. Yikes!

(48 secs)

We both enjoy paddling calm waterways best, with visual interest. It is very relaxing, thought provoking and puts everything into perspective.

As long as we are talking about floating our troubles away, our second kayak outing happened last weekend on Fathers Day. When we headed out, it was very lightly misting and cool. The majority of the time we had the water blissfully to ourselves.

the lake really is a mirror

we were in awe of the crystal clear reflections and solitude

It is hard to show height. The DNR website says the tall rocky layered banks are "50 feet tall cliffs".

(22 secs)

made me look twice

it sounded like an aviary

connecting with any type of water is so gratifying

We were surprised how low the lake was on this outing. Already. We've had a good amount of rain at home. Perhaps this area didn't get much.

There was nothing to do but laugh when we paddled out of the narrows, into the open. The water was SO thick with vegetation our kayaks did not move. We sat there for a while, taking in the view.

One by one the visitors arrived. They landed all over everything, including us. Not a fan of bugs in my hair. My hat solved that.

not a dragonfly

When I got home I looked up what I thought were dragonflies. My friend Google says they are Eastern Forktail damselfly. Friendly little fellas.

baldy was not having much luck fishing

sooo many hitchhikers!

We counted the damselfly's and laughed the whole way back to shore. We went from double digit hitchhikers, to two, to none. The winged wonders flew off when they were ready.

The other entertaining sight on this outing were the zig zagging water bugs. They were white, not the long legged scooting water bugs. 

water bugs (10 secs)

sound up to hear "the aviary"

all smiles

Each kayak outing is a different experience. Even at the same waterway. It is ever changing and so interesting observing how nature changes!!