Atlanta, Georgia, United StatesWe get up early, and at 8:30 set off for the lake. The various card are loaded with coolers with ice and drinks, tents, folding chairs and more.
We soon leave the suburbs, and after an hour or so, enter the park. Stately pine trees and absolute quiet reign.
Some friends are already at the reserved site next to the water, and I see three surf boards (for standing up and rowing) and two kayaks.
The view over the water reveals small tree covered islands, and green slopes miles away on the distant shores.
Everything exudes peace and quiet. Even the excited voices of two small children in our group only accentuate the immense quiet of nature.
It doesn't take much time before I find myself carrying a surf board into the warm water. It's the first time I do this stand-up rowing, but it's not hard.
Someone calls out that she is only watching to see me fall, so immediately I pretend to fall in. The water is so pleasant, and as soon as the noise of the splashing water has subsided, the silence under water is amazing.
What must the earliest explorers have experienced when they crossed these silent forests and lakes, in a land that seemed to go on and on forever.
I quietly row to a small island. It's covered by trees, and in the warm temperatures, I smell the pine needles covering the ground.
When I jump on land, I feel like one of those early trappers or hunters, who saw the land virgin, never touched by man.
We spend the day relaxing, swimming, kayaking and rowing. The friends here are all former members of the mountain climbing club of the same university in Taiwan. They are retirement age now, and still organize events together. Next month about 40 will go to Norway and hike a different trail each day.
Nice to see how close they are.
We soon leave the suburbs, and after an hour or so, enter the park. Stately pine trees and absolute quiet reign.
Some friends are already at the reserved site next to the water, and I see three surf boards (for standing up and rowing) and two kayaks.
The view over the water reveals small tree covered islands, and green slopes miles away on the distant shores.
Everything exudes peace and quiet. Even the excited voices of two small children in our group only accentuate the immense quiet of nature.
It doesn't take much time before I find myself carrying a surf board into the warm water. It's the first time I do this stand-up rowing, but it's not hard.
Someone calls out that she is only watching to see me fall, so immediately I pretend to fall in. The water is so pleasant, and as soon as the noise of the splashing water has subsided, the silence under water is amazing.
What must the earliest explorers have experienced when they crossed these silent forests and lakes, in a land that seemed to go on and on forever.
I quietly row to a small island. It's covered by trees, and in the warm temperatures, I smell the pine needles covering the ground.
When I jump on land, I feel like one of those early trappers or hunters, who saw the land virgin, never touched by man.
We spend the day relaxing, swimming, kayaking and rowing. The friends here are all former members of the mountain climbing club of the same university in Taiwan. They are retirement age now, and still organize events together. Next month about 40 will go to Norway and hike a different trail each day.
Nice to see how close they are.
Too soon the day is over, because we have to prepare our departure for Kenya. We pack up, and immediately I feel the familiar sensation of sweat forming. The afternoon is humid and after the relative coolness of swimming we put on shirts and the heat returns. It reminds me of many a childhood day on the beach.
We say goodbye to our friends and drive to a store to buy food for our camping in Kenya. Then there is only half an hour left with Sisi's brother, who then brings us to Martha - the subway to the airport.
Checking in is smooth. We are ready for our long journey.
We say goodbye to our friends and drive to a store to buy food for our camping in Kenya. Then there is only half an hour left with Sisi's brother, who then brings us to Martha - the subway to the airport.
Checking in is smooth. We are ready for our long journey.
2025-05-23