I like the old stone cathedrals, and have visited almost every one standing in England over the last few decades. Standing in front of thick Norman columns, bathed in the light of tall panes of stained glass, or craning my neck to see the keystone in the arched ceilings always fills me with a sense of wonder that such things exist.
But it is hard to find cathedrals on a regular basis, especially in campgrounds. That’s where water comes in. And a kayak.
Paddling out on a quiet lake early in the morning, letting the rising sun warm me as life awakens all around me, that’s something else. The fish jump, the blue heron flies, the birds call to one another. I sit in the middle of it all, still and quiet.
It’s a time for reflection. Time to breathe. Time to be slow. Hear that still, small voice inside me that guides my path.
I paddle just far enough to be in my own peaceful place where I can leave the worries and anxieties of normal life behind me for a while. They sit on the shore waiting for me, but while I’m out here, they can’t touch me.
Being on the water, early morning, that’s my church.
A lake is a landscape’s most beautiful and expressive feature. It is Earth’s eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature
Henry David Thoreau
Your writing is as beautiful as your photos… The most beautiful church is the one that we did not make, yes.<3
Beautiful all the way around Annie
Thanks, Jenny, that means a lot coming from a fellow traveler and photographer.
Perfect reflection of Rainbow Bridge !!
Beautiful post and Fabulous pictures.
I love your poetic style. ❤️ Thank you Annie for such a beautiful Sunday post.
Thank you, Bonnie, my dear, for leaving such a lovely comment!
Great post and as always, great photos, especially the one with the reflection of the bridge.
Thanks, Bruce! I was making my fellow paddlers stay behind me as I caught the reflection before our paddles sent ripples towards it, barely got the image before they heard a bird and wanted to go!
Love these Pictures. Very well captured. Where are you?
These photos were at Manning Provincial Park, on Lightning Lake, in BC. The campsites we were at were close enough to hump our kayaks down to a little launch site, although they do have a formal boat launch in the day use area, too.