Lake Snowden: Green Heron Meditation

Lake Snowden

5 July 2015

Lake #51        Lake Snowden, Lake Snowden Park, Athens County

Lake Snowden is located at 5900 State Route 50, 5 miles west of Athens. Park admission is free but a parking fee of $4 per day is charged. 675-acre Lake Snowden Park has camping facilities: RV and tent, hot showers, laundry, toilets, drinking water, a swimming beach, bathhouse, horseshoe courts, and picnic tables. The park operates a boat rental facility that offers canoes, rowboats, paddleboats and kayaks. There is no boating charge to use your own boat. There is no restriction on boat horsepower but the entire lake is “no wake, Idle only.”

View of Lake Snowden from Boat Ramp 

136-acre Lake Snowden is the largest of the four lakes forming the Margaret Creek Conservancy District, built in 1968 for flood control. Lake Snowden was opened to the public in 1972. It was sold in 1984 to Le-Ax Water Company for a source reservoir. Then sold again in 1998 to Hocking College to be operated as an education and recreation park. The Ohio Pawpaw Festival is held at Lake Snowden the second full weekend in September each year. I had the opportunity to attend the festival last year and had a great time. I met many really nice people, had some great food and local beer, and even learned a few things from the workshop presenters. I highly recommend checking it out.

Boats for Rent at Lake Snowden

Lake Snowden Park is Visible from SR 50 

Lake Snowden has one boat ramp that is located on the south shore and easily seen from the park’s entrance. There is plenty of parking and restrooms nearby. I was really surprised that the lake was not crowded given that it was a holiday weekend but there were only two other kayakers out on the water.

Lake Snowden Boat Ramp

Upon putting in, I headed first to check out the camping located on the south shore along the western arm of the lake. Along the way I came across ducks and several turtles.

Paddling West from Boat Ramp

Some of the Many Turtles at Lake Snowden

Brave Turtle at Lake Snowden

Making My Own Obstacle Course

Camping on the Western Arm of Lake Snowden 

After checking out the campground, I turned around and headed east back toward the boat ramp. From there I headed northeast passing the dam on my right.

Heading East Toward Boat Ramp

Heading North from Boat Ramp

Dam in the Distance

Once I passed the dam and made the turn west toward the northern point of the lake, I began to see notes tied to tree branches. The notes were all signed by Sean. Since I have never seen notes at any other lake, I decided to name the baby duck for this lake Sean in his honor. Sean, I hope you get what you are looking for. 

One of the Many Notes Tied to Tree Branches

Lake Snowden's Baby Duck Sean

As I continued paddling northwest, I began to see many Great Blue Heron. I got some terrific video. I love how they always seem so annoyed when I stumble upon them.

One of the Many Great Blue Heron at Lake Snowden

At the end of the small northwestern arm, I came across the most serene setting. Rest of the world seemed suddenly very far away. As I sat still in that moment I became aware of a Green Heron right next to me. This is why I kayak. I kayak for these moments that I am totally in the moment. This is my meditation.

Heading Down the Northwestern Arm

Green Heron at Lake Snowden

This moment was the highlight of my paddle and my day. I started this kayaking BHAG because I had forgotten what made me happy. I thought it was because I had let life get in the way of my happiness but through this BHAG journey I have found that it was me who had gotten in the way. Out on the water in my kayak gives me a way to slow down my mind and truly live in the moment. I have found meditation on nature brings me joy that stays with me much longer than the pursuit of happiness. Knowing that the paddle could not get any better, I decided to call it a day and headed back to the put in.

Back at the Boat Ramp

May all your roads end in water,

Mama Duck Mona

Lake Logan: A Georgian Manner Bed and Breakfast and Mute Swans

5 July 2015

Lake #50        Lake Logan, Lake Logan State Park, Hocking County

400-acre Lake Logan is located southeast of Lancaster off U.S. 33. The lake is surrounded by the small, 318-acre, day use only state park. Most of the park’s recreational facilities are located on the lake’s northern shore, including a swimming beach and two boat ramps. The ODNR Division of Ohio State Parks considers Lake Logan to be one of the best fishing lakes in Ohio; the lake holds several state records for bass and catfish.

Lake Logan From the Lawn of A Georgian Manor Bed and Breakfast

Boat Rental Located at Northeast Corner of Lake

Main Boat Ramp Located Next to Boat Rental Store

Close Up of Swimming Beach and Shelter House

Northern Shore Swimming Beach Has Changing Facilities

Quiet Early Morning on Lake Logan

 I kayaked this lake last summer before I had my BHAG idea and while I was still a shorts and t-shirt only kind of paddler. At that time, I was not too impressed. I put in at the swimming beach and kayaked the two western arms and east all the way to the dam. I don’t recall seeing any wildlife while I was paddling but I don’t know that I was looking for it either. The only part of the paddle that left a lasting impression on me was the dam and the fact that the spillway was open and not marked in any way. I have since experienced this on many Ohio lakes but at the time it was a novel first. I was really surprised that the spillway was not roped off in some way or that danger signs were not posted. The spillway had the look of an infinity pool; I was drawn to keep paddling even though I knew what lay ahead. Similar to how I have felt on the edge of a mountain looking down into the valley and having the urge to jump off. I’ve obviously done neither as I am still here. After the first paddle, I drove around to see the spillway from the road. It would really be a cool picture to have a kayaker at the top of the spillway and take their photo from the road.

Based on my prior experience with this lake, I was expecting my paddle for the BHAG to be boring and something to be completed just for the sake of doing the blog. Boy was I wrong, and I am so happy that I was. Kayaking Lake Logan turned out to be one of the best paddles of my BHAG. A large reason for the enjoyable experience was the decision to stay at A Georgian Manner Bed and Breakfast. Since this kayaking weekend corresponded with my 26^th wedding anniversary, my husband and I decided to make it more special by staying at A Georgian Manner Bed and Breakfast overlooking Lake Logan. The B&B is an adult only establishment located at 29055 Evans Road, Logan.

A Georgian Manner Bed and Breakfast, Lake Logan

A Georgian Manner B&B as Viewed From Lake Logan

We stayed in the Honeymoon Suite, which was the first and only time we have stayed in one (given 26 years of marriage it was about time). The extra cost for the Honeymoon Suite was well worth it. We really enjoyed the large soaking tub and the ambiance of the fireplace. The Honeymoon Suite also comes with its own covered patio. We were able to watch the wildlife in the morning while enjoying our coffee.

Honeymoon Suite at A Georgian Manner Bed and Breakfast

A Bathtub Plenty Big Enough For Two

Nothing Like a Cozy Fireplace to Help Set the Mood

Covered Outdoor Patio Made Morning Coffee Extra Enjoyable

Watching the Deer During Morning Coffee

Watching the Canadian Geese Slowly Make Their Way Across the Lawn

The B&B owner BJ was so welcoming that he felt like a long time friend. His conversation during breakfast was as enjoyable as the wonderfully prepared food. BJ is licensed to officiate weddings and he hosts several weddings a year at his B&B; if you were in the market for a wedding location, I would urge you to check it out. He has several photo albums with pictures from over the years, including several of weddings and the lake's mute swans that he has adopted as his own. He also has a balloon that he operates and has even married couples while up in the air.

Covered Outdoor Pavilion Where Many Weddings Have Taken Place

The B&B has a large lawn to relax on while enjoying the lake's wildlife.

Ducks on Lake Logan

Great Blue Heron and Great Egret on Lake Logan

Fish Spawning in the Shallows

More Ducks on Lake Logan

Birds on Lake Logan

Bird in Flight Over Lake Logan

The B&B has canoes available for free use by guests and its own put in. We chose to use our kayaks but did use the provided put in. We started out at 7 a.m. just as the sun was starting to burn off the early morning mist. The B&B sits on the northwest corner of the lake in its most shallow spot, so we paddled southeast toward the swimming beach and boat ramp. There was no one else out on the lake and the only beach goers were mute swans and several Canadian Geese.

Sun Coming Out As We Begin Our Paddle

Easy Lake Access From B&B's Front Lawn

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Morning Mist on Lake Logan

Mute Swans and Canadian Geese Still Asleep on the Swimming Beach

Four Mute Swans on Lake Logan

The Sun Trying to Break Free

The swans were so beautiful to watch. After our visit but before writing this blog, I learned that the mute swans had all been killed by Ohio Division of Wildlife officials because they are considered an invasive species. There are three species of swans that can be seen in Ohio: the trumpeter, mute, and tundra. The Division of Wildlife says that mute swans compete with native swans and drive out native swans and other waterfowl during the breeding season. I understand this concern but Lake Logan doesn't have any other swans that the mute swans are infringing upon and doesn't have a history of ever having had trumpeter swans. It seems such a shame to kill such beautiful creatures and yet leave behind several Canadian Geese. I know BJ must be heart broken. He knew each swan individually and had rescued one that had been attacked. 

Paddling With the Majestic Mute Swans

After paddling with the swans for a while we turned and headed northwest back toward the B&B and the hot, delicious breakfast that waited for us. In honor of the hospitality of our host, I chose to name the baby duck for this lake BJ. The abundant wildlife, peacefulness of the setting and wonderful accommodations have made this one of the best paddles of the BHAG.

Heading West Back Toward B&B

Baby Duck BJ

Great Egrets on Lake Logan

Back to B&B for Breakfast

May all your roads end in water,

Mama Duck Mona