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2012-05-20 tl;dr: Another day on Kentucky Lake. Lots of snakes. It turns out that yesterday and today several fishing tournaments were being held on the lake. That explains about twenty-five percent of the boats. I don't know if it explains the airboat with the spotlight lighting up my tent last night.There were water snakes aplenty today. I have actually managed to go a number of days now without drugs, but my back was hurting this morning, so it's ibuprofen time. The forecast called for partly cloudy. Unfortunately, Kentucky Lake makes its own weather. Clouds stopped on the west side of the lake and resumed on the east side. No shade for me. My water ran out again. Don't worry; I have a filter. After filling a clear bottle with filtered water I then strap it to my deck. This allows UV rays to kill any critters the filter may have missed. It is very hot by the time I drink it, but those are the breaks. I also have purification tablets if needed. I do learn. A lot of people ask how far I've gone. On a bicycle it is always apparent that I'm traveling a long way, but in a kayak all my gear is hidden, so folks are genuinely shocked when I relate my trip thus far as well as my destination. I stopped at the Paris Landing State Park Marina to fill up with water. This left me with not much time to re-cross the lake and find a place to camp. Finally finding a likely spot, I landed and started scouting for flat ground. And almost immediately stumbled upon a three-foot long rattlesnake. I ran as fast as I could, because I didn't have my camera. I then ran back as fast as I could. It turns out rattlesnakes don't exactly flee. After setting up my tent a ways away I returned to find it heading in my direction. I used a big (big) stick to pick it up and turn it the opposite direction. That seemed to work, though I was a little more careful than usual getting in and out of my tent. I hope I don't get spotlighted again tonight. |
 good morning Kentucky Lake   or Welcome To Tennessee   CLARENCE G FRAME on smooth water   minnows nipping at my toes  phase 2 water purification  osprey nest   gar     stairs   |