Sometime this summer, I had stumbled onto a large lake; deeply surrounded by thick brush and briers, very difficult to navigate through. It was also during the beginning of a very hot period that ended up lasting several weeks. Recently I decided to visit the lake again, trying an easier route to it. I started on the other side of the river from it, estimating about where I could find the south end of the lake. The river is very low...so crossing it was quite easy.....mostly stepped on stones through a very shallow area, but was glad that I had my Goretex hiking boots on.
As soon as I got across, I looked down and found an arrowhead......no not a primitive stone arrowhead...but as you can see a much more modern one. It appeared to have been in the river for quite some time. Right there is a perfect example of why I always where tennis shoes when I wade the river fishing or am canoeing. That would be quite unpleasant to step on with bare feet.
After climbing up the bank and working my way through the brush along the river's edge; I came out into a nice open area.
Passing through the meadow; I came across a small patch of Dogbane. It has some medicinal properties and is also a plant that was commonly used to make cordage from......bow strings, nets, bags, twine, etc.
I walked north through that area about a quarter mile or so, then entered into the wooded areas; and then started getting into the old strip mine area and knew the lake was probably close. I had to work my way through large areas of Autumn Olives. They are now loaded with fruit, but it was not quite ripe when I was there, but probably is by now. It is edible, BUT this shrub was imported here as an ornamental, then planted in areas.....such as strip mine land to slow down erosion......and will just take over an area.
This small drainage ditch comes out of the lake. Walking up to the lake though was not a good option. It was just surrounded by tall wetland type marsh grass. So I again, walked through brush and climbed some quite steep old hills left from the strip mining operations from long ago........and did reach the lake's edge. I would guess that very few people that live in this area know this lake is here; and fewer yet have probably ever seen it.
The lake appears to be completely surrounded by trees and brush; with one exception....at the very narrow south end....I believe there is access to it from an old gravel road. My son and I were there once when we were using the bicycle trails and left them to explore a bit. From my best guess, I think that was probably one end of this lake.
I sat for a half hour or so at the lake edge, just relaxing, enjoying the view, and resting in the sun.
From there I headed back out of the thick brush and just went to the river to follow it. Walking the stream bank, I spotted a pair of young deer ahead and on the other side of the river, probably about 200 yards when I first saw them. I slowly worked my way toward them, stopping when they looked up and also looking at them with my binoculars. I eventually got close enough to zoom in with my camera. I was amazed that they stayed put; and believe it was because of their youth and inexperience...they had to see my...and my two dogs were in and out of the river swimming. Perhaps they will survive the coming hunting season....perhaps not. A hunter may give them a "pass" because of their small size. (Click the picture for a better look.)
Not far from the river I came across a very interesting plant. A bit of research when I got home told me that it is the Green Dragon Plant (Arisaema dracontium). It is somewhat uncommon and is related to the much more common Jack-in-the-Pulpit. Apparently turkeys and a few other birds will feed on the seed, but it is poisonous to mammals.
Back across the river, through the river bottom, up a long hill to my car........and this outing was done....
As soon as I got across, I looked down and found an arrowhead......no not a primitive stone arrowhead...but as you can see a much more modern one. It appeared to have been in the river for quite some time. Right there is a perfect example of why I always where tennis shoes when I wade the river fishing or am canoeing. That would be quite unpleasant to step on with bare feet.
After climbing up the bank and working my way through the brush along the river's edge; I came out into a nice open area.
Passing through the meadow; I came across a small patch of Dogbane. It has some medicinal properties and is also a plant that was commonly used to make cordage from......bow strings, nets, bags, twine, etc.
I walked north through that area about a quarter mile or so, then entered into the wooded areas; and then started getting into the old strip mine area and knew the lake was probably close. I had to work my way through large areas of Autumn Olives. They are now loaded with fruit, but it was not quite ripe when I was there, but probably is by now. It is edible, BUT this shrub was imported here as an ornamental, then planted in areas.....such as strip mine land to slow down erosion......and will just take over an area.
This small drainage ditch comes out of the lake. Walking up to the lake though was not a good option. It was just surrounded by tall wetland type marsh grass. So I again, walked through brush and climbed some quite steep old hills left from the strip mining operations from long ago........and did reach the lake's edge. I would guess that very few people that live in this area know this lake is here; and fewer yet have probably ever seen it.
The lake appears to be completely surrounded by trees and brush; with one exception....at the very narrow south end....I believe there is access to it from an old gravel road. My son and I were there once when we were using the bicycle trails and left them to explore a bit. From my best guess, I think that was probably one end of this lake.
I sat for a half hour or so at the lake edge, just relaxing, enjoying the view, and resting in the sun.
From there I headed back out of the thick brush and just went to the river to follow it. Walking the stream bank, I spotted a pair of young deer ahead and on the other side of the river, probably about 200 yards when I first saw them. I slowly worked my way toward them, stopping when they looked up and also looking at them with my binoculars. I eventually got close enough to zoom in with my camera. I was amazed that they stayed put; and believe it was because of their youth and inexperience...they had to see my...and my two dogs were in and out of the river swimming. Perhaps they will survive the coming hunting season....perhaps not. A hunter may give them a "pass" because of their small size. (Click the picture for a better look.)
Not far from the river I came across a very interesting plant. A bit of research when I got home told me that it is the Green Dragon Plant (Arisaema dracontium). It is somewhat uncommon and is related to the much more common Jack-in-the-Pulpit. Apparently turkeys and a few other birds will feed on the seed, but it is poisonous to mammals.
Back across the river, through the river bottom, up a long hill to my car........and this outing was done....
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