Where the Lake Meets the Wetland Beneath a Glowing Sunset
SUP-boarding on local lake, reflecting in the wetland and finding new plant
Sometimes it’s nice to spend time without children, just me and my better half, doing something we can’t really do with the kids — or where we wouldn’t be able to fully enjoy our time together if the kids were with us. Usually we want to go somewhere away from home. Spending time at home is possible every night but time together outside the home without children is rare and special.
This time we headed to a lake near our home. It’s 8 kilometers long and quite narrow. It is mostly three meters deep but there is also a 10 meters deep spot. We have spent time on its shores and gone SUP-boarded and boating there. In winters we skate on the lake’s ice. So the lake is a familiar place for us.
The lake’s basin formed millions of years ago in an ancient fault valley, unlike many Finnish lakes shaped by glaciers. About 9,000 years ago, it separated from a long fjord-like waterway as the ice melted and the land rose. The surrounding landscape was shaped by glacial deposits and the retreating sea, forming the rivers and valleys visible today.
We pumped up our boards and went into the water. It was already quite late when we left but that was fine: summer nights are light. The sun was setting when we paddled over the lake. Paddling is the nicest way to move on the waters, in my opinion. SUP-boarding gives the opportunity to move slowly and truly enjoy exploring nature. It’s possible to see places you can’t go near by boat.
Usually I get interesting plants on my board when I return from my lake trips. This time was no exception: I found Sparganium and Swamp horsetail. The first was new to me and a really weird looking plant. The second was something I wanted to show the kids. We have been learning to tell apart different horsetails.
We also spotted Yellow iris already blooming already in the lake. We have the same iris in our own garden but those were not blooming yet. Yellow Water-lilies (Nuphar lutea) were starting to bloom. In Finnish it’s called “ulpukka”. Those flowers always remind me of marzipan decorations.🌼
We arrived at the place where the lake turns into a secret river that takes you to a wetland. That wetland has been built to lower nutrient load, which has been a problem in this lake. There is a lovely deck and fishing shed beside the wetland. We docked there and when we climbed up from the water, the view was unbelievable! Sun was just about to set and lupines had taken over the meadow. A hot air balloon was the perfect finishing touch. Like nature (and those balloon people) had arranged an artwork for us. We simply stood there and watched how the night took over.
