What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?

What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!

Saturday, June 13, 2020

Guess What I Did? A New Adventure

Guess What I Did?  Yep! I finally "sailed" to the other side of the pond!
With all this wonderful rain we've been having, our pond has filled up to a depth that finally made it possible to even try and explore its depths!

There I go.  Yes, you will  notice that there is a rope tied to my kayak. That was because we weren't too sure how deep it was further out, and we decided for the first trial run to attach a rope so I could be pulled back to shore if I got stuck (or too scared to paddle! LOL).
Of course, those of you who have followed me here for a while know that I have been wanting to get on that little island in the middle of our pond ever since we moved here last summer. I tried to walk across to it when the pond was almost dry, (you can read more about that adventure HERE), but quickly discovered that looks could be deceiving. The "dry" bottom of the pond was really muck, and I quickly had to retreat from that idea!
 Alas, when I paddled my son's kayak to the island, I could not figure out a way to land it there and be able to get out of the kayak on my own...it took three people to get me out on the flat shore, so I knew there was no way I could graciously climb out of that kayak by myself and climb up the hill on the island. It would have been a disaster that would only be funny to those watching from afar!
 So I quickly abandoned that idea and paddled back to shore to untie the rope (and get my camera) so that I could go ahead and paddle around the island to see what was on the other side.

So these pictures are what I saw as I paddled around the other side of the island:

This was the grassy marshy area where the Canadian Geese had their nest earlier this spring, which apparently did not develop any goslings as they abandoned their nest and flew away one day. Then the Sand Hill Crane couple started spending their nights here, but when the pond dried up so badly, they too flew away and haven't been back.

Now the water lilies are blooming profusely all over the pond. They are so pretty, I had to balance myself in the kayak, trying not to lose my hold on the paddle while I attempted to take pictures...


This is a lovely picture of my foot. Not sure how this picture got taken. I think it was during my balancing act.

Finally reaching the far side of the island. It's not really very large...certainly not big enough for Gilligan and his crew, but just a pretty peaceful little cove where the fish can swim and the birds and land...

I debated about going all the way around the island, and decided not to because I wasn't too sure how deep the water was on the other side.

So I turned around and headed back toward home.


 Another view of the cove before I left.

 "I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, 
through which God speaks to us every hour,
if we will only tune in."
George Washington Carver
(a quote I found in a favorite little book, "Beside Still Waters")
 "My heart is awed within me when I think of the great miracle that still goes on,
In silence, round me--the perpetual work of Thy creation, finished, yet renewed Forever.
Written on Thy works I read the lesson of Thy own eternity."
William Cullen Bryant

This is my favorite water lily picture of the day:

And then when I got back to shore, my son decided to take his turn in the kayak:


 He also just went to the other side of the island and then turned around and came back to shore.

And when he came back to shore, my sweet daughter in law decided to show us how it's really supposed to be done. She is a more experienced kayaker than we are.

Look at her go!

She was paddling so strong she left quite a wake behind her little craft...

 And Lo! and Behold! She made it all the way around the island!!!!
 Here she comes! Our great explorer of the day!!!

Yay for Rose! She proved it could be done!!! I'm so proud of her!!
 And thus ended our wonderful little kayaking adventure for the day!  Then we went and picked up some BBQ for lunch and had a wonderful day.

Later in the day I saw this lovely Little Blue Heron fishing in the pond:


So now we can add him to our list of different species of herons and water birds visiting Still Waters Pond.

Never a dull moment here on Still Waters Pond!

Just a thought from God's Word:

"You are my hiding place;
You will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance."
Psalm 32:7

I hope you enjoyed this little journey around "Still Waters Pond"!  Now that I know I can do it, I hope to get out there more frequently, as long as the water stays high enough to make it!  Thank You, Lord, for Your blessings on us!!!

34 comments:

  1. I loved the kayaking adventure. Way to go Rose! Lots of beautiful photos too.

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    1. Thank you. Yes, Rose has a true pioneer spirit! I was very proud of her. Her inspiration helped me to go all the way around the pond today! It was beautiful. Such a blessing!! Hope you are feeling better. I saw where you weren't feeling too good, and I hope you are doing better by now. (((hugs)))

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  2. Such an ideal example of God's creation for a peaceful sanctuary! Love it! As I'm sure you and your family do..What a nice adventure!
    Blessings, Linda

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    1. It truly was a lovely little sanctuary. I enjoyed it so much. Now that I am learning how to do this I may have to do it more often. I just need help getting in and out of the kayak! these old bones and joints and muscles aren't what they used to be! LOL.

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  3. I'm not taking a hike today so this has been FUN for me! I've never even been in a kayak and I love that you all took a turn on the pond! The water lilies are gorgeous and the Little Blue is one of my favorite birds! I know you will enjoy the pond year round! What a wonderful source of nature at it's best. Enjoy your weekend! Save me some BBQ! Hugs!

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    1. I am sure you would enjoy a kayak over there on some of those rivers/springs in your area. It really is fun. The hardest part was getting in and out of the kayak. I needed lots of help with that, but the ride itself was great. I know you'd love it. Hope your eye is better today. And your headaches are gone I hope too. Take care and don't overdo it.

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  4. What a great adventure, Pamela, as you finally got to paddle to the little island. And good for Rose for navigating all around it! Thanks for the lovely photos and showing us a slice of your life on Still Waters Pond.
    Blessings!

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    1. It was a lot of fun. Today I went back out and went all the way around the pond. It was delightful. Just needed help getting in and out of the kayak. That's the hardest part! My old joints just aren't what they used to be! I'm feeling it tonight! LOL>

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  5. That is so awesome and I admire your sense of adventure. I have always been somewhat of a daredevil myself and I can see myself doing that too... well... maybe not these days but when I’m feeling better! Those Lilly pads and blooms are so lovely. Thanks for sharing your fun adventure!

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    1. When you are feeling better you can come down and we'll go kayaking together. Maybe by then I'll have two of them. It really was fun. The hardest part was getting in and out of the kayak. Needed lots of helpers! LOL.

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  6. How wonderful! I love the water lilies and the blue heron. You were so brave to go out there. It looks like fun but I’m not sure I could do it. Thanks for sharing your adventure. As always your pictures are beautiful.

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    1. It was a lot of fun and not as hard as it appears once you get going. The hardest part is getting in and out of the kayak! I needed lots of help! But I sure enjoyed the ride. Very peaceful!

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  7. I saw this on FB. And I just want to say you guys are my heroes, I would never ever do such a thing, grin. Have a beautiful day friend. smiles

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    1. It was a lot of fun. I wouldn't want to fall in as this pond is rather murky, but it is pretty from on top and I just have to be careful to stay on top! LOL. There aren't any alligators in this pond that we have seen or heard so I felt pretty safe. It's good exercise as I am sore tonight!

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  8. This looks like so much fun! I recently saw an ad for a clear kayak!!! Of course in the ad, the water was crystal clear but it did look awesome. The water lily photos are just perfect! Your day on the pond and sharing bbq with family sounds delightful.

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    1. Oh, a clear kayak would be awesome down here on some of our clear springs. There are many of them, with what they call "runs" running from spring to spring. All clear with white sandy bottoms. That would be great. This pond is not clear, but very dark and murky, and I definitely wouldn't want to fall in. But it was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed paddling all the way around today. I'm sore tonight.

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  9. Way to go! I did enjoy these adventures . I am too big a chicken to venture out on the water, so I enjoy it from dry ground.

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    1. It was a lot of fun. I went again today and went all the way around. This water isn't real deep, but I still wouldn't want to fall in. No telling what is down there...but it is pretty from what we can see and I will do my best to stay on top!!!

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  10. How nice that you got to see the other side. You are now in the same boat as Columbus! You'll all have to have Rose give kayaking lessons!

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    1. I hope I'm not in the same boat as Columbus...they just threw him in the water and cut his head off. Poor old Christopher Columbus isn't very popular these days. Maybe I am more like Lewis and Clark. LOL. Yes, Rose is a pro. I actually did it again today and did much better. Hubby says he'll try it tomorrow. We shall see.

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  11. HOW VERY EXCITING!!!! You all are so adventurous! So, John did not take a turn in the Kayak? (somebody had to keep their feet on solid ground, right?!!) I'm glad you were able to find out what's on the other side. And your pictures are great, as always. Thanks for telling us all about it!

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    1. John says maybe he will try it tomorrow. I hope he will. We need to have two of them here. Benton and Rose actually have two, but just brought the one here for now for us to try out. We may have to get our own! It really was fun. I went again this morning and went a lot further. Very peaceful. My inner thighs are sore though from balancing back and forth. I never realized I was doing that, but it hurts to walk now! LOL. Old age...

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  12. What a fun adventure you all had with the kayak!! I hope someone is able to land on the island and do some exploring one of these days! Is the pond part of your property? I can see a gazebo on the island, making it a destination!! Loved seeing these pictures!!

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    1. The pond is not our property. It belongs to the "development", and so I guess it really doesn't belong to anyone in particular, except on the other side I think those lots go into the water a little ways. The island probably really isn't conducive to a gazebo, although someone sure had a big dock connecting the two islands together and back to the main land at one time. That was a lot of wood, but it is all rotten now. The island closest to us is rather narrow and not much flat top land to put anything, but I like it the way it is...all natural. The birds are happy to have it for their sanctuary.

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  13. I am proud of you. You ventured out into uncharted territory! I love the pictures of the island and the birds. Your son and his wife are wonderful to share this adventure with you. Peace and blessings.

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    1. It really was fun, and I am glad I finally did it! Hubby encouraged me to go, but he has yet to try it himself. He said maybe tomorrow. We shall see. Thanks for visiting today!

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  14. I enjoyed your adventure! You're a lot braver than I am-I'd never get in the boat!

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    1. It took some help to get into and out of the kayak, I can assure you! That was the hardest part of the whole deal! LOL. Would not be able to do this without someone there to help me, that's for sure!

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  15. What beauty surrounds you and how brave and wise you are. Using a rope first time out is a wise thing. I know I am pass the age of not taking precautions on trying new things. I wanted to jump on my grandson trampoline, no way was my son or husband going to let me. My 4 year old grandson could not understand that at all and cried. You look like you are an adventure.

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    1. Thank you for saying that I "look like you are an adventure". That's kind of funny...but I can say that life has certainly been an adventure. However, I wouldn't be jumping on a trampoline at this stage in life either. I've already had major back surgery and that probably wouldn't be too wise! I've seen how those kinds of "adventures" end up for us more "mature" folks! Thanks for visiting!! So nice to have you!

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  16. That was so fun! Thank you for taking us along, that's quite a little sanctuary you have there. What a treasure!

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  17. enjoyed your new adventures and the pictures. bet it was fun to see the 'other side'!

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  18. Look at you girl! What a fun time it looks like you had. Glad you took this adventure Pam. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  19. Oh what a fun post! Thank you for sharing your adventures with all of us who have zero desire to go out on the water. :) The area around your home is so peaceful.

    Way to go Rose! :)

    Love and blessings!

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