Lake Fort Smith State Park

Today started early and comfortably cool. The birds were chirping and the neighbor's grandson was shouting. After getting ready for the day, I headed out with my GPS guiding me. My GPS took me to the wrong place, and I had some scary, steep gravel roads to encounter. Luckily I was able to figure out where I was going by using a map because phone service is very sketchy here. I arrived much later than planned but still was able to rent a kayak.

I paddled pretty far into the ginormous lake, stopping occasionally to rest and listen to the sounds of the water and nature. I love the sound of paddles dipping into the water! Steering a kayak with paddles only can be tough with wind, but it was fun reminding myself how to do it. It's been three years since I last kayaked... Also known as too long.

I noticed the skies were growing cloudy and gray, though the forecast hadn't projected rain for another 3 hours. I started paddling with fervor back. I felt drops of rain begin as I was halfway there, but it was very light. I got back to the dock area and decided to keep going for awhile longer. I felt safer being near the marina. The rain stopped and I got another 15 minutes in before I heard distant rumbles of thunder. The second I heard thunder, I paddled quickly to the dock and into the kayak slip. As I was docking, the heavens opened up and it began to pour. What timing! Unfortunately it's been thunderstorming and raining all day. It lightened up a couple of times but otherwise has been continuous. I had two leaks in my tent that were due to improper setup/adjustments. When the rain lightened, I was able to get out and fix the problems.

To pass the time, I drove a ways to Academy and Target, read a book, watched Netflix, and am blogging. I even took a nap! I wish I could've been out hiking all day with no rain, but I'm hoping to have that luxury on my last full day here tomorrow. I want to check out the hiking trails at the park I went to today and want to check out a hike at a nearby lake. :-)