Autumn Is Sinking In

I went to the lake again yesterday. I've been going multiple times a week now but yesterday was the first day that it was too cold to swim. It's a shame I guess, that I won't be able to sit at the bottom of the lake and stare at fish for another seven months. But I've gotten good at waiting that long, and now that autumn is here I have the honor of experiencing the lake in a new season. I've been observing that gradual change for the past two weeks now... the damselflies are less and less every time I return, and the aquatic plants are not as sprawling as they were in August. The water was so still and clear yesterday that when I dipped my feet in, I could see the ripples rock the milfoil 10 feet out. I know that just beyond that, about 20 feet down, there is a slight rift on the lakebed where there are no plants at all. I'm sure the turtles, frogs, and minnows will make use of the area in my absence.

I think I'll still visit frequently even when it becomes frigid. I don't do well with cold or with the winter months in general, but I think it's more important than ever for me to keep active. And besides, even if I can't float on my back to look at the clouds, I can still lay on the shore. Yesterday I did exactly that for two hours, and it was still a good time. I don't think anything can rip away the wonderment and mystery of a place like Dream Lake. When I'm there, I feel like I'm connected to everything.