Humidity so thick in the air it clung to your skin as a light fog lifted and promised a sweltering Independence Day.
A couple hours navigating highways and interstates and we were launching into Devil's Kitchen Lake at the Kayak/Canoe Launch off Tacoma Lake Road. One look at the ramp, steep, edged with slick mud and deep water promised an interesting entry/launch of our kayaks for us. We are more used to a gentle slope into the water, but adventure is an adventure so with all the grace of a fish out of water we launched into the channel off the Eastern Arm of Devil's Kitchen.
Things of visual interest and wildlife sightings are what make the best paddle trips for us and this little channel of Devil's Kitchen Lake quickly offered both. The opposing bank from launch was lined with exposed rock covered in sporadic rich green moss, complete with twisted and gnarled roots of trees clinging to them.
We paddled left first, intrigued by the exposed rocks, the sun glaring in our eyes as it began to peak through the trees.
More moss covered rocks lined the channel as we approached a bridge. The air was less sultry here and paddling through the still water took little effort but soon a log jam prevented us from further exploring the channel.
Making our way past the launch we continued toward the waters Eastern Arm, rocks dotting the landscape of steep hills and high banks. Rounding a slight bend in the channel we were greeted with a large exposed rock bluff edging the bank of the channel.
Ripples in the surface echoing the flow of water told the tale of nature's wear on its surface. Light reflected from the water below, bouncing and shining from its underbelly.
Continuing on the banks we lined with reeds occasionally broken by slides into the water, made by either beaver or otter. We surmised otter as there was no visible sign of beaver in the area. Rocks jutted out here and there from the tall hills surrounding us and soon an otter was spotted in the water 30 yards ahead of us. Oblivious to our presence for a moment it swam about before spotting us and quickly ducking below the surface.
Reeds and river cane still lined the banks and at the base of a steep hill appeared to be a beaver dam though still no visible sign of their presence. Paddling on just a few minutes later a beaver entered the water and swam about the water for several minutes before becoming aware of us and plunging below the surface with a loud splash.
The channel opened up as it began to meet the Eastern Arm and we bore left wanting to stay in this no gas powered motor area of the lake.
Large hills peaked around us and tall dead trees jutted from the still water. Here we first encountered stumps, just under the waters surface or barley breaching. Initially easy to spot and avoid but later as the sun rose in the sky it became more difficult. A total of four different occasions between the two of us we became hung up, each having to assist the other to get clear at least once. This process became bothersome after some time and a long paddle on hot day.
Another matter of note was the lack of bird life at Devil's Kitchen. A Great Blue Heron, a single Lake Loon, a few swallows, and a sparrow were the only birds of note besides crows raising a rucus in the nearby forest. I found it surprising given the schools of small fish we encountered so near the surface they created large swirls on the placid water.
All and all it was a quiet relaxing paddle, best part being an absence of people and boat traffic. I can not wait to explore more of Southern Illinois lakes and waterways.
