Floating with Animals
5/99I put my boat in the water, gently sit down and grasp the paddle with
both hands. I push from the shore and I am in my universe of water,
gentle breeze and solitude. I am doing what I love; kayaking. I kayak
on Energy Lake, a
cove of Lake Barkely in Land Between the Lakes in western Kentucky. I
kayak on this lake because it is calm, quiet, has little current and is
easy to navigate. I join with nature each week as I leave my home before
sunrise to arrive at the water’s edge just as the sun peeks over the
horizon. I know that if I am early enough I will see with my eyes and
heart the exultation of the new day’s sun glistening across the water.
I kayak for peace of mind, quietness of body and soul and to watch the
animals. As I glide across the water, I forget my problems and work,
and concentrate on spotting animals, enjoying the clouds, rain, snow and
wind. I see the animals, so many of them, each time I explore the
waters. The beavers swim around my boat and I listen to them eat in
their dams. The otters lay on their backs on rocks watching me, the
turtles swim gracefully through the clear water.
I find exceptional things on these trips. In just a few hours I see
deer drinking at the edge of the lake, they run when they see me. A
coyote follows me from the shoreline. I hear her pups in the deeper
woods. A bald eagle flies only thirty feet above my head as he searches
for his breakfast. I have coasted within twenty feet of a flock of
geese and watched a flock of turkeys walking along the water’s edge.
I kayak because I am renewed and recharged for another week in the
classroom where I teach, and to work helping others. I kayak on
peaceful waters (never white water) because I realize afresh my oneness
with nature and all of God’s creation.