Just Fishing

A fisherman uses a small boat to try his luck in Indigo Lake in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. I don’t know if he caught any fish, but I got a nice reflection photo.

Good Morning, Virginia

I’m aboard a northbound Amtrak train that will be arriving in Washington soon. We’re making out way through Virginia and I liked the mood in this early morning scene. I’m not sure if that solitary boat was amchored in place or getting ready to head out for the day. I didn’t record where I made this image other than somewhere in Virginia.

Trolling Along

A lone fishing boat putters along on Eagle Creek Reservoir in Indianapolis on a gorgeous late October morning.

The fall foliage along the lake was adding a touch of color to this tranquil scene.

Moments later the boat reached its dock on the west side of the lake.

Cruising on the Chicago River

You’ve probably figured out already where this image was made. But if you want specifics, this tourist excursion boat on the Chicago River was passing by the Adams Street entrance to Union Station on its southward tour of the river.

Marooned in the Ice

There must be a story behind how this sailboat came to be marooned in an ice field near the mouth of the Grand River in Fairport Harbor, Ohio, where it meets Lake Erie.

I doubt that the boat’s owner made the decision to store his boat in the middle of the river for the winter. Maybe it broke loose from a dock and drifted as far as the ice would allow. Maybe someone was trying to steal it. Maybe it was abandoned. I’ll likely never know.

In the background is the town of Fairport Harbor and the Grand River Light, which also features a museum that is open during the summer.

Racing the Sunset

The sun is setting over Lake Erie and perhaps this boater is headed back to the dock or trying to get in one last run before it turns dark. The image was made at Edgewater Park in Cleveland last September on an unusually warm day.

Guide Dogs

I was sitting on the shore of the Vermilion River when this small boat passed by headed more than likely for Lake Erie.

The owner had brought his two dogs with him and as their trip got underway both canines moved to the bow to see where they were going.

The way they are point forward gave me the thought that maybe they are guide dogs helping their master navigate the open water ahead.

Paddling and Fishing

I’ve been to Indigo Lake many times in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, but only a couple of times have I seen anyone on the lake in a boat.

For many years I wasn’t sure boats were allowed on the lake. Swimming is prohibited and the vast majority of people fishing were doing so from the bank.

There are no docks on Indigo Lake and boaters have to carry their boats from a parking lot. That might discourage some from boating here.

But not this man. He has his three lines in the water as he paddles along hoping that something will bite.

Beginning a Boat Ride on a Michigan Lake

It was nice July morning and my wife’s cousin suggested we go for boat ride before we left. Diane lives on Lake Ponemah near Fenton, Michigan, and owns a pontoon boat.

So down to the dock we went, climbed aboard and backed away. This view was made just as we were turning to head for the main part of the lake.

The trip was enjoyable although not without some problems. The boat’s motor stalled at one point and it took a few minutes to get it restarted.

It was a weekday so there wasn’t much traffic out on the lake. We had a good time.

Didn’t Know You Could Do This

I’ve been to Indigo Lake in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park many times, but only once have a I see a boat in the water.

I didn’t know that boats were allowed in the lake, which is the remains of a quarry.

But last September I noticed a man in a boat fishing. I have seen people fishing in the lake before, but never from a boat.

Presumably, he had to carry his boat in and out because there is no boat launch.