My Meditative Paddle around Lake Martin, a Cypress Swamp

On a cool November dawn, my kayaking guide picks me up at Maison Madeleine B&B. Minutes later, the two of us are ready to embark on a morning paddle around Lake Martin. The air has a slight chill, but we’ve dressed accordingly.

 

My guide, Janenne, has a calm energy about her. As we push off from shore, she explains that this won’t be a tour where she tells me a bunch of facts about Lake Martin, or expect me to stay by her side. Instead, it is more of a meditative experience. I am free to go at my own pace as I follow her, and take as many photos as I’d like.

Quietly, we paddle toward the sunrise. She waits for me to reach her at a natural opening in the trees.

In subdued tones, she invites me to open my heart to gratitude as I appreciate the beauty around me, and to open my mind to connect with nature and every living thing. She encourages me to let go of all other thoughts, and just be grateful for this moment, this breath, this place, as we welcome the new day. And to think about my intentions on this journey today.

Sunrise feels like a spiritual awakening on this mystical lake…

 

I am left to kayak alone, and to be lost in thought. The quiet stillness heightens my appreciation for the exquisite beauty all around. I take it in. Breathe it in.

A thin layer of fog seems to dance as it dissipates in rays of golden light, as the sun warms the air.

What a peaceful, ethereal, serene scene…  The mirrored reflection of cypress trees in the glassy water emotes a calm tranquility.

Hushed silence is interrupted only by the sound of bird calls, or water droplets falling from my paddle, as I slowly glide through the bayou. Wonder and awe nourish my soul.

The cypress trees captivate me. These ancient forms with their gnarled roots and lofty branches stand like guardians. Long tendrils of Spanish moss hanging from the trees create an eerie, almost prehistoric look. Delicate strands, fluttering in the breeze, graze my hair as I drift under them.

Janenne respects the wildlife in this special place, and uses gestures instead of words. She looks back at me, then points up in the tree to alert me that there’s something there…

Curious, I paddle forward. Will I see an egret? An eagle? A snake?

Surprise! It’s a barred owl. He’s resting on a cypress branch high in the tree. Content, and asleep.

 

I feel so lucky to see him! I’ve never seen an owl in the wild. Photography is certainly challenging in a floating boat, but I want to capture him! My mirrorless camera makes no sound when I click the shutter, and I don’t awaken him.

The sheer number of so many moss-draped trees adds mystery to the scene. What secrets are they hiding? What lurks beneath? Or up in the trees?

 

Navigating around the roots extending in all directions—barely submerged—requires concentration. Carefully, I skirt them, and while doing so wonder how old they are. Bald cypress trees can live hundreds of years.

Suddenly movement catches my eye. Looking through layers of sunlit moss, I see a man in a canoe.

He’s fishing. As I pass, he asks in a southern drawl, “Did you see that Big Daddy just now?” I glance back where he is pointing, and shake my head no.

“He’s a dandy. An 8 footer, at least. He musta gone under when you approached. You musta paddled right over him.”

An alligator?!

My calmness takes a little leap of fear. “Oh dear. I’m glad I didn’t see him!” I say, my heart skipping a beat.

What if my paddle had struck him?

“I hear ya. I hear ya,” he said in his slow, unhurried drawl. “You’re al–right,” he said evenly, adding a little nod of comfort before he cast his line.

 

Alligators do live in Lake Martin in fairly large numbers—around 1,200 lurk in this shallow swamp. But neither the fisherman nor my guide were afraid. The gators are not aggressive. Just don’t fall in!

So naturally they are on my mind when the bottom of my kayak suddenly strikes a solid surface, and lifts the right side of my kayak high in the air. I am tipping sideways!! I seriously fear I’m going overboard, along with all my camera gear. Luckily my guide hears my involuntary little scream and instantly turns around.

Seeing the panic in my eyes, she quietly reassures me. “Stay calm. Keep your shoulders low. Scooch forward slowly…. Now wiggle a little until you’re free,” Janenne says calmly.

Thoughts of being stuck on top of an alligator crossed my mind.

“You’re just stuck on a cypress knee,” she says.

Scooch, scooch, scooch…and with another forward thrust, I am freed.

Whew! Big sigh of relief!!

I must’ve entertained an owl because he woke up and watched. Was he perturbed for disturbing his sleep? Sorry… I’ll be quiet, I whisper.

My heart is still racing… Deep breath in. Slow exhale.

The woodsy herbal scent of the cypress is inviting to inhale. Taking in a few deep breaths, I’m instantly relaxed. Nature has a way of doing that.

All is well again.

Janenne shares a spiritual insight and leaves me to ponder it while we paddle through the swampy maze.

 

I spot an egret. She’s wading in shallow water searching for breakfast. So graceful and elegant! She moves slowly…stalking with intent.

Awhile later we come to a natural arch where a cypress branch curves over the water. My guide asks me to think of something I can leave behind and to embrace some new truth as we enter the other side. Nothing immediately comes to mind, so I pass under the branch simply feeling grateful for being here in this moment in time.

Before long our 3 hour journey comes to an end. I’m really not ready to leave.

Kayaking through this mystical setting has felt uplifting and surreal. I am truly grateful for this experience. And know that the beauty of this place will stay with me for a very long time…

 

Tour info:

Duc in Altum kayak tours operate out of Lafayette, Louisiana. Janenne deClouet is the owner/guide. She offers 3-hour tours for $90 a person: Espresso or Silent Paddle early morning, Kayaking 101 mid-morning, or Sunset paddle. Or she’ll customize a half day, full day, photography instruction or an engagement paddle for higher rates. Accommodates both solo adventurers and small groups. She has various kayaks to suit different needs. Native kayaks have a more stable platform but sleek narrow ones travel quickly through the water with ease. Lawn chair type seats provide back support. The paddling is easy in such a placid lake, and I wasn’t sore in the least.

Lake Martin:

Lake Martin is an 800 acre shallow water swamp with a rookery that attracts 200 species of birds, including the great blue heron, great egret, snowy egret, white ibis, and migrating roseate spoonbill. In addition to wading birds, there’s also American alligators, frogs, snapping turtles, fish and furry nutria.

Location:

Lake Martin is 7 miles east of Lafayette & 5 miles southwest of Breaux Bridge. Or a quick 2 minute drive from Maison Madeleine B&B, an awesome place to stay!

Photo gear:

I used both a small pelican type case and a dry bag on the trip to hold my 2 Sony camera bodies attached to 16-35mm & 100-400mm lenses. This sweet little waterproof hard case (Amazon link) is inexpensive ($44) and worked like a charm. Foam padding inside customizes to your camera. I also kept this watertight dry bag at my feet for quick access to whatever camera I was currently using then. The 10L size easily fit the long lens. (Choose the orange color for easy spotting in case you fall in! It floats and will keep your gear protected.)

 

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