Sunday, September 7, 2008

State Park Sabbath Part II

High: 71° F
Low: 49° F
Conditions: Evening thunderstorms and wind.
For our State Park Sabbath this week, we headed to the very lovely Swan Lake State Park, located not far from the coast, for one last swim and picnic before cooler weather arrives.

The lake is really lovely, and a great spot for taking a dip or a quick sail.
Swan Lake takes its name from the neighboring town of Swanville, which used to be called Goose Lake (perhaps a caninaturalist out there mis-IDed their bird the first time around?)

We didn’t see any swans or geese, but we did see a bald eagle, which was not nearly as scary or fierce or adversarial to Ari as this very menacing kite:


After a good 10 minutes of barking, it was pretty clear to EVERYONE in the park that the caninaturalist and kite were never going to be friends. So Ari and I decided to vacate the beach awhile and explore the woods, where we wouldn’t be tormented and taunted by multi-colored canvas tethered to a spool.

One of the most notable features of the park is its mature white pines, which tower over all the other foliage in the place. We estimated that several of these trees must be well over 100 years old. The strange canopy on this tree seems to suggest that it used to be crowded in by a bunch of other trees.

We were also really impressed with the great job the park staff has done in protecting the landscape, like creating these bridges over marshy patches and rivulets so that the ecosystem won't be disturbed. The caninaturalist didn't seem to mind that they also meant her very dainty feet would stay dry.

In the winter, Swan Lake will freeze so thickly that it will become a kind of superhighway for cross country skiers, snowmobiles, and even trucks driving out to ice fishing shacks. We can't wait to check it out then, too. (Hopefully, that damn kite will be gone by then!!)

15 comments:

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Why do I have visions of ballerinas in my head?

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
PeeEssWoo: Tomorrow is The Sibertarian Pawty Khonvention! See woo there?!?

Maverick the Pirate said...

Harrrrrrrr Ari
looks like you had fun Harrrr.
Cap'n Maverick the Pirate

Lorenza said...

Looking at the first picture, I felt like I was right there with Ari!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Teddy Westlife said...

You can't trust those kites - they are very suspicious!

Huffle Mawson, Honorary Husky and Explorer Cat

Simba and Jazzi said...

Dropping by to say hello. Hope you had a good weekend.

Simba x

umekotyan said...

Good evening Ari.
Congratulations on 100 contributions.
Wonderful time is shared.
And, it invents it by reading happiness and the wind in play with the kite.
The stroll of the forest is touch with nature.
Snowmobile that imagines scenery of snow.
The maintenance of a deep forest works important. :D

from loved ume tyan

Eve said...

Ha Ha! I hope so!!
I'll be in Gorham, and Long Island for a week starting tomorrow Kathryn!! I can't wait to smell that beautiful salt air!!

Kyanite said...

I've given you an award, please do come & collect it.

Blue
x

Trish ~ ♥ ~ said...

The nerve of some people...flying a kite on a beautiful day down by the lake. What were they thinking? Otherwise sounds like a great day.

Gus, Louie and Callie said...

What a lovely park. Great place for a nice walk.. Did you get to go swimming?


Big Sloppy Kisses
Gus, Louie and Callie

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful park, and as usual the pictures were wonderful. Too bad it was nearly ruined by that menacing kite just hoovering up there!

Barklove,
Rusty

Dawn Miles said...

Speaking of kites and Maine state parks...I'm pretty sure a certain brother of yours would have missed the hike into the woods in favor of the kite flying. In fact, I think there is a redbird-shaped kite here waiting to be flown...because we have so much time to fly kites here in North Carolina.

John Theberge said...

I've never been to Swan Lake SP, I've never heard of it but it seems like a real nice place to visit.

Unknown said...

Odd the things that will totally spook a dog, isn't it? Yesterday, Booker couldn't take the accordion door on the back of a beer delivery truck. And he has been doing so GOOD with trucks lately, too! I hope it's not back to square one.

Steve, Kat, & Wilbur said...

Did you get to jump in?