Mist Over the Lake
A Story from My Life It had been a warm day over the lake, despite the sky having been overcast. I had just finished my dinner at the small little cottage, and quickly washed up my dishes. Laughing at the lake water that flowed through the pipes for dishes and showers as this was only water source for the various cabins and cottages that lined it. Under normal circumstances one would never consider soap and lake water to be clean, but when on vacation one can set aside such considerations and simply enjoy the simplicity of life. I set my plate on the drying rack and looked down at my little dog. He was standing at my side, looking up at me with playful eyes. I looked from him out to the lake The sun had disappeared behind the mountains, but a dark blue and grey sky continued to light the landscape. It would be dark within an hour. “Do you want to go on the kayak?” I asked my little rescue pup, Holmes. His permanently erect Chihuahua ears perked up even higher. I knew he didn’t know the meaning of the word ‘kayak’, but he knew the phrase ‘do you want –‘ as that always meant we were going to do something. I smiled and grabbed his leash. He spun in excitement, half chasing his tail and half trying to dart towards the door. I managed to clip the leash onto his harness and we headed out the back door. I put the yellow kayak in the water, set little Holmes on top and we were off. He is my little adventure pup, he loves to go anywhere I go. Glued at the hip you might say. He liked to sit atop the kayak’s bow and watch as we went along. He knows how to swim and I keep his leash attached to me so as to not lose him should he fall in. I turned the kayak around and began to paddle south. The lake was silent, ducks and geese didn’t call or cackle from overhead, loons made no wails, not a single wave rippled the glass like surface. The most pure and peaceful silence had befallen the lake. The only sound was my paddle dipping in and out of the water with each stroke that propelled me forward. The sky was still overcast and retained a dark blue that faded to gray with every passing minute. It was raining on some nearby mountains. The temperature dropping as the light continued to fade. The sudden shift from warm to cool raised a mist that hovered just above the surface of the water, the mist swirling and parting as I floated past. I paused to take in the sights and silence. The mist still swirling from my passage. It rose no taller than the width of my hand above the water’s surface. The gray began to overtake all other colors. The mountains turning to various shades of grey, the trees seemed to coalesce into one singular mass upon the shore and beyond. I watched the rain storm move from mountain to valley. The lights of occupied cabins began to dot the shore. Though they could be a mile or more away, their light pierced bright and true across the ever-darkening scenery. Holmes turned his head to look at me, seeming to think the very same thought, we should start heading back. I nodded in agreement and slowly paddled the boat back towards the cottage. We passed a group of four loons. Whether they were enjoying the view or preparing for an evening of fishing I couldn’t be sure. Each stroke of my paddle creating a small ripple that propelled my craft forward with little effort as the surface offered no resistance. The subtle swoosh of water under my paddles the only sound breaking the silence. The bottom sliding over the gravel as we made landfall pierced the air. Little Holmes jumped from the bow onto the shore and wagged his tail slightly as I got out of the boat. I carried the kayak further onto the shore then stood to look over the lake as the last of the light disappeared from the sky. It would be an even darker night as the clouds overhead would block the moon and stars. But this lake held no malice, it was peaceful and beautiful no matter the conditions. We stepped back inside and started the fire. Few things are better on a cool and cloudy night on the lake than a reading a book beside a warm fire inside a cottage while your adventure pup snuggles close.
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AuthorJessica Marie Cunningham - Intentional lifestyle blogger, aspiring author, and podcast host. All things Slow Living, Books, Writing, Art, creativity, Christianity, and personal stories. Archives
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