26-SEP-2008
On Marl Lake 01
We got to Marl Lake by 8:30 in the morning.
The morning temperature was in the mid 50's. The water temp was a little warmer which had created a heavy layer of fog over the water. The dew point had been reached by the time we got to the boat ramp. Everything was laden with heavy dew drops.
26-SEP-2008
On Marl Lake 02
I had been attracted to the bush because of the dew on the red berries. Then I saw the spider webs. The more I looked, the more spider webs I saw. These spider webs are virtually invisible without the dew drops. The droplets of water sparkled.
26-SEP-2008
On Marl Lake 10
Marl Lake is a small, circular lake. There is a trail that goes nearly around the lake. Trail signs say the distance is 2 miles. The lake is shallow with an average depth of about 4 feet. The name, "Marl Lake" comes from the lake's very soft bottom. Despite the lakes shallow depth, its water is cold and clear because it's so close to Higgins Lake which feeds it.
26-SEP-2008
On Marl Lake 11
Paddling in the fog on calm water is incredibly serene. It's quiet and the occasional calls from birds resonate in a way that is unique because of the fog. Even the quality of the water seems different. Sliding through the water is like moving through liquid silver.
26-SEP-2008
On Marl Lake 12
It's easy to lose one's sense of direction without some markers. The fog was light enough that the glow from the sun provided a good marker to determine direction.
26-SEP-2008
On Marl Lake 15
As the sun begins to burn off the fog, a light breeze begins to roll across the lake. The result is electric. The very white light from the sun creates a shimmering, silvery surface on the lake.
26-SEP-2008
On Marl Lake 18
The fogs lifts and the distant shoreline creeps into view.
26-SEP-2008
On Marl Lake 19
Reeds and cattails stand as ghostly guardians along shorelines.
26-SEP-2008
On Marl Lake 22
Some of the spider webs looks like sails as they filled with gusts of wind.
26-SEP-2008
On Marl Lake 29
We paddled upstream on the Cut River. As the sun rose, the reflections were remarkable.
26-SEP-2008
On Marl Lake 32
Paddling on the Cut River gives the impression of being a remote wilderness. There are no houses or other signs of development along the river. The scenery is spectacular.
26-SEP-2008
On Marl Lake 36
And, as the sun rose, the dew drops on the spider webs took on even more light. Later in the day, they would be virtually invisible without the drops on water on the strands of the web.
26-SEP-2008
On Marl Lake 40
As enjoyable as the fog was, it was a fun to see it lift to reveal the brightly colored maple and oak leaves that had begun to turn in a riot of reds and yellows.
26-SEP-2008
On Marl Lake 41
The Cut River isn't deep. The bottom can be easily seen along its entire length. Occasional minnows, perch and bass can be seen darting around.
26-SEP-2008
On Marl Lake 57
The paddle on Marl Lake this year provided more variety than any previous trip on the lake. We counted ourselves very fortunate to have been there to experience it.