Post by Barbara on Jun 15, 2008 19:08:50 GMT -5
6/13/08 This is a rather small lake (in comparison to Lake Anna) operated by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. It has a boat launch if you are using a trailer, and permits night use.
I was having paddling fever all day Friday while working, so had the kids load the kayaks on the suv so they would be ready to go as soon as I got off work.
We arrived about 5:30 and made short work of getting the boats afloat. It was a beautiful evening, but a little on the warm side until the sun started to set. So after spending some time fishing in the shaded cove where we launched and stopping for a picnic dinner, we decided to take a paddle around the entire lake as the sun set.
It was myself and six year old daughter in the tandem, and 13 year old son in the single (left the 15 year old ashore to fish).
It was a beautiful trip that took us maybe an hour and a half (but who was keeping time?) to make it around the entire lake, exploring each and every cove and marveling at the scenes of nature. We saw pelicans, turtles, ducks, geese, and an otter, plus skydivers making a free-fall from nearby Orange Airport.
It was a marvelous sunset heading out, looking like a giant illuminated orange in the sky. As we were heading back, the blending of the hot air from the day gone by, and in the newly arriving night air was profound, it was like you could feel each one separately. The lights from the parking area were sufficient to gently guide us back to our put in location. We had a wonderful evening and plan to do it again soon.
Lake Orange can be reached by taking Route 629 off of either Route 20 or Route 522, depending on where you are traveling from. Directional signs for Lake Orange are posted along these roadways. Travel on Route 629 until you see Route 739. Route 739 will take you to the peninsula located in the middle section of Lake Orange
I was having paddling fever all day Friday while working, so had the kids load the kayaks on the suv so they would be ready to go as soon as I got off work.
We arrived about 5:30 and made short work of getting the boats afloat. It was a beautiful evening, but a little on the warm side until the sun started to set. So after spending some time fishing in the shaded cove where we launched and stopping for a picnic dinner, we decided to take a paddle around the entire lake as the sun set.
It was myself and six year old daughter in the tandem, and 13 year old son in the single (left the 15 year old ashore to fish).
It was a beautiful trip that took us maybe an hour and a half (but who was keeping time?) to make it around the entire lake, exploring each and every cove and marveling at the scenes of nature. We saw pelicans, turtles, ducks, geese, and an otter, plus skydivers making a free-fall from nearby Orange Airport.
It was a marvelous sunset heading out, looking like a giant illuminated orange in the sky. As we were heading back, the blending of the hot air from the day gone by, and in the newly arriving night air was profound, it was like you could feel each one separately. The lights from the parking area were sufficient to gently guide us back to our put in location. We had a wonderful evening and plan to do it again soon.
Lake Orange can be reached by taking Route 629 off of either Route 20 or Route 522, depending on where you are traveling from. Directional signs for Lake Orange are posted along these roadways. Travel on Route 629 until you see Route 739. Route 739 will take you to the peninsula located in the middle section of Lake Orange