In the Stillness of Night

One lone camper at the port campgrounds where the floating man cave is docked was breaking camp as we pulled up around 2:30 p.m. The clouds had built up to the point where it seemed rain was imminent, and sure enough, as we got under way a few sprinkles started to fall. “Should we stay near the port?” we asked each other as husband raised the canopy. “Nah,” we both concluded. This didn’t look like a serious storm, and we soon outran the drops.

We passed only a few boats on the way to a secluded cove where husband dropped anchor, and we noticed a quietness we had not heard in weeks. There were no other boats within earshot. Table Rock Lake is a busy and popular spot most weekends. And yet, on this Sunday we nearly had this enormous lake to ourselves.

We sat watching the clouds as the stillness surrounded us until the sun set over the hills and slowly the stars became visible—first the Evening Star and soon, as we sat with our chins pointed upwards, the whole of the sky was covered. How low the Big Dipper appeared! By now darkness enveloped us. Only a few lights from homes overlooking the lake punctuated our darkness. We smelled wood smoke and heard a lone dog bark in the distance.

I thought back to how as a child I was so afraid of the dark that I slept with the light on each night, afraid of danger lurking there in the dark. Yet, tonight, in nearly pitch black with no moon to steal the glory from the stars, I breathed in soft evergreen-scented air and thought how wonderful.

Sittin on the Boat at the Lake

Our first Independence Day here in Missouri was mostly spent on the boat. We wisely took two cars and Scottie and I left early, but Bill thought watching Kimberling City's fireworks from Table Rock Lake would be cool. Would’ve been too without the rain. I’m probably the only person in America who doesn’t like fireworks and not because they can be dangerous. I’d rather see the money spent on helping people. There’s only so much amusing before reality kicks in.

Anyway, Table Rock Lake, what I’ve seen of it so far, is a clean and pleasant escape. Parts are crowded as you can see from the crowd at the Swing. I didn’t like that since I kept worrying we’d bump into another boat. Bill and Scott jumped off the boat and swam over to the rope swing to join the line to recapture a bit of their childhood with a plunge into the deep waters. This is an area where boaters congregate to socialize, drink, swim and hurl water balloons. It was tame yesterday unlike Table Rock Lake's sister, Lake of the Ozarks, with her notorious Party Cove.

Even with the holiday traffic on the lake, you could still find quiet coves with herons and green covered hills. That’s more my speed.