Paddling had never seemed
so effortless, so smooth, the boat slicing through the water
silently. I didn't notice the paddle stroke, just rhythmic and
unconscious. All attention was drawn to the color the kayak was
sliding by. It may be cliché, but I was in peaceful awe of the
spectrum of hues encircling this lake. There was no need to rush, to
get from one end of this body of water to the other, or maintain a
steady pace. Somehow, I found myself exploring back bays and islands
and shorelines I'd never ventured to with seemingly no exertion.
“Zen” is overused perhaps but maybe I had accidentally slipped
into it.
The long irregular blue
shape on Google maps drew my attention last year-it was roughly
halfway between Interstate 29 and state hiway 64 near Stanley
Wisconsin-Otter Lake. This flowage is formed by Otter Creek, which
eventually flows north and west into the Yellow River in Chippewa
County. I'd ventured there just twice, both summer paddling trips
and each time thought it must be an amazing place in the fall.
Surrounding thick forest is mostly comprised of sugar maple-the most
brilliant of autumn trees. This had the potential to be a magical
place when the calendar flips to October.
I'm getting this sense of
urgency-that winter is around the corner- kinda absurd, September is
just a few days behind. I've been here before-somehow October comes
and goes too quickly-perhaps because it's my favorite month and I
have to be outside every minute. I'm resolved to get as much
outdoor time in as possible, and the paddling days will be numbered-a
trip to Otter was on the list.
The lake is long and
narrow-4 miles from end to end, with little back bay nooks and
crannies. It's a fishing hotspot and there always are a few boats
plying their luck. The northern half of the lake is mostly public
and free of cottages and homes. Otter
Lake county park campground and day use area are located here
along with several boat landings. I'd put in at an unimproved one
before and it worked well for my 17 foot sea kayak.
With few man made
structures to spoil the scenery, I paddled and explored this far end
of the lake. Each corner I rounded revealed a more luminous
view-that cannot be understated. As a photographer, It was
frustratingly hard not to shoot a million images, but after a while,
I gave up-the camera just needed to be put away. Images would have
to be just captured in my minds eye-sometimes that's okay too.
That's when the
instinctual paddling began-the kayak just gliding from place to place
evidently by itself-attempting the impossible task of taking it all
in. I was aware of this and consciously appreciating it. I don't
know if one can pin down the exact date when colors peak at any one
place, but I'm pretty sure on this day I did. I can't image it much
better and from a boat, 3 “ above the waterline, I had the perfect
vantage point to experience it.
