Enjoy Time OutdoorsIt's a great day to get outdoors…

One of my 2011 personal goals is to go kayaking at least ten times throughout the year.   Here it is mid-June and the count still stood at zero.

I’ve been wanting to get on the water all season.   Between the weather, rain, various home projects and occasional laziness, I just haven’t ‘gotten around to it’- until this morning.

Although it was a short 45 minute outing on Cedarville Reservoir, (shortened by quickly approaching storm clouds which never developed into any rain- better safe than sorry), as always it was an incredibly relaxing and spiritually healing experience.   It is always wonderful to get out on the water and be fully surrounded by nature!

Even thought the trip was short I saw a wonderful assortment of wildlife- various small birds, turtles, fish, ducks, chickens (in a backyard), and the highlight of the day- a Great Blue Heron!   Although not the best video I’ve ever shot, I was able to capture it taking flight!

Now that the kayak has gotten wet for the first time this season, many of my projects are getting wrapped up and the summer solstice is just around the corner, it’s time to start planning some more outings.

With so many rivers and small lakes in the region it should be a fun and eventful summer!

What a great way to start the day!  I didn’t see another person during the 1-1/2 hours I was on the water at Cedarville Reservour.

As we near the end of October there won’t be too many more Sunday mornings like this.

An awesome morning on the water- click to enlarge photo

I’ve had ‘Go Kayaking’ on my to-do list for several weeks now.  This isn’t something I would normally put on the same list with household chores and random things to-do, but for the last couple of years I’ve had the bad habit of letting everything else take priority over kayaking. 

I would make excuse after excuse as to why everything else was more important, how I couldn’t find anyone to go with me, how the weather wasn’t ‘just right’, etc.

Recently, my weekend rides would coincidentally include a rest stop at one of the many public boat launches in the area.  It’s as if my kayak and bike had a secret agenda to get me on the water.  It worked!

Sunday morning, after letting the dogs out at 06:30, instead of going back to bed I opted to put ‘operation kayak fun’ into action.  I checked the weather- all clear (well, clear enough- a bit windy and a slim chance of rain).  After eating a good breakfast I proceeded to load the kayak in the truck, gathered some gear and headed out for the water.

Living literally two minutes from one of our town’s small boat launches on Cedarville Reservoir, it didn’t take more than five minutes to go from garage to water.

It was wonderful!  It’s as if I had the entire reservoir to myself.  I didn’t see another human on the water for the hour I was out.

Being the first time out in several years and the first time on a new body of water I decided to keep it short and close to shore.  Even though I only spent an hour out in nature, my outdoors soul was quickly refilled with peace and tranquility.

It’s taken a long time for me to finally realize that ‘go kayaking’ doesn’t have to be a big deal or over-planned event.  There’s nothing keeping us from going out for an hour or two whenever the batteries need recharging. 

 After I got home I did a quick Google Earth search which revealed all types of paddling opportunities in the area- rivers, reservoirs, state parks, etc.

This is going to be a fun summer…