Natural musings

11/11/12 Wow, what a Sunday afternoon here in northeast PA yesterday. Temps in the mid to upper 60's, light wind and no clouds. The kind of afternoon where it would be a crime if you had the chance to get outdoors and didn't. Especially as the last days of outside naturist activities are quickly fading in the rear view mirror. So I dug out my kayak (unfortunately, my wife couldn't join me), put on lightweight hiking/running clothes and put in on our favorite lake. I started paddling towards our secret summertime skinny dipping hole about a mile and a half up the lake and another half mile up the inlet creek. With water temps in the mid to upper 40's, one quickly learns to sharpen up their summertime paddling strokes where it doesn't matter how much H2O makes it past the paddle grommets and onto your body (I don't have a skirt for my 'yak). With the warm sun on my back and not a ripple on the water I made my way up the lake passing three Wood Ducks floating about as carefree as I was. Entering the mouth of the creek, one of the regular Blue Herons we see almost every time out didn't approve of my arrival and promptly departed for the other side of the marsh. As I approached the gravel bar where we beach the boats and skinny dip, I quickly realized the aftermath water levels of Hurricane Sandy weren't going to let me get out of my boat there and at least get some nude time just walking around in the sunshine. And even if I were able to get out and strip down, the lack of foilage reminded me that a hiking trail although a good distance away was now visible. It wouldn't have been a problem, but there was a large group of hikers in sight also enjoying the afternoon so that really ended my hope of an afternoon of sunning. I paddled upstream around a bend where the trail meets the water and exchanged pleasantries about the wonderful afternoon with the group of hikers then turned around and headed back to the put in. A most delightful afternoon even without getting nude time.