Bob and I recently acquired an early 1970’s model aluminum canoe from my dad, which we recently took for a spin at Homer Lake. Homer Lake is a short drive from Urbana, and we needed to take it for a test run. I’d been in it many times before, of course, but he never had. Needless to say a blast was had. Birds, turtles, and people taking part in the activity of fishing and cussing were all observed in their native environments. Relaxation took place. Pictures were taken.
Heron vs Geese
Despite what the state’s industrial agricultural overlords want everyone to believe, Illinois is really damn beautiful. In between the corn and the subdivisions, there are natural places that are well worth exploring. Even the corn and the somewhat rolling landscape have a certain beauty to them, although it’s a bit tricky to explore via boat. Subdivisions should be avoided at all costs.
But back to Homer Lake. For a first paddle, it was pretty sweet. Took us an undocumented amount of time to cruise around it, which I would guess to be approximately 1 1/2 hours. Might have been 2; hell if I know. I was having too much fun to really care.
obligatory front-of-the-boat shot
If you’ve got a canoe and want to go on a beautiful, relaxing paddle near the Greater Champaign-Urbana Metropolitan Area, Homer Lake will hook you up. You can get there by either following Rte. 150 east from Urbana past St. Joseph and following the signs, or by taking Windsor Road east. Just make sure you turn right at the jog.
nature in it's natural habitat