I went to Chain O'Lakes State Park in Albion, Indiana last Wednesday-Friday. That is a little northwest of Fort Wayne. Chain O'Lakes State Park has eight lakes connected by streams with about seven miles of shoreline. There are three additional unconnected lakes. Although the park rents canoes, I brought my trusty Old Town Loon 138 kayak. I thought it was a great park and I really enjoyed myself. Here are some pictures. Raining cats and dogs Wednesday evening. A tornado touched down five miles away. I took this shot from the bathhouse where I went for shelter. This is the park's regular campground area but there is a canoe and trail accessible only campground as well. http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Villa/3057/chain02.jpg Heading down one of the muddy streams late Thursday morning. The water was high due to the rain which enabled me to travel to all eight lakes via the connecting streams without portaging. http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Villa/3057/chain03.jpg This portion of a stream was a little narrow but deep enough to paddle. http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Villa/3057/chain04.jpg A "natural" bridge across a stream. http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Villa/3057/chain05.jpg A manmade bridge across a stream. Because the water was so high I had to almost lay down inside my kayak a couple times to pass underneath bridges like this. http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Villa/3057/chain06.jpg One of the lakes, probably Bowen Lake or Long Lake. http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Villa/3057/chain07.jpg Bowen Lake (the deepest) was very clear. I spotted lots of bass there. http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Villa/3057/chain08.jpg A nesting box on the muddier Dock Lake. I saw another box earlier and the water level was near the hole! http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Villa/3057/chain09.jpg I drove to town Thursday afternoon. This is the courthouse. I like it's castle-like architecture. http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Villa/3057/chain10.jpg Back on the water Friday morning. Very pleasant, cool temps, no humidity, fresh air. http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Villa/3057/chain11.jpg Sand Lake. I couldn't get the old Hamm's beer commercial out of my head while paddling Friday... "In the land of sky blue waters..." http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Villa/3057/chain12.jpg I saw lots of wildlife. Here is a turtle sunning himself on Mud Lake. http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Villa/3057/chain13.jpg Some light breaking through the canopy of trees falling brightly on some leaves. This stream was beautiful and I could just imagine indians walking down out of the woods 200 years ago. http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Villa/3057/chain14.jpg An old one room schoolhouse, now park nature center. http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Villa/3057/chain15.jpg Bob "Just Do It Without Nike" Matter Hammond, Indiana *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Wed Jun 21 2000 - 23:02:38 PDT
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