Yesterday Eric and I went to check out Walter E. Long Lake (or Decker Lake; I'm not sure why everything in this city has to have 15 different names). It's not too far from our house, and we thought we it would be awesome if we had a swimming and picnicking spot close by.
It's true that swimming is allowed there, and it's apparently a popular boating and fishing site. But it turns out the lake is primarily a giant cooling pond for the power plant. I might not mind that so much, but it also looks like tossing diapers and beer cans all over the goddamn place is second only to fishing in terms of recreation. On the whole, I prefer my water diaper free.
The park itself is pretty enough, but the giant power lines marching through the main recreation area sort of distract from the whole natural beauty thing.
Still, it was an amazingly nice evening, with a warm breeze and several hours of really nice light, so we walked around for a long time. We got to watch a group of little birds (sparrows? swallows?) break off from their main flock and chase a cruising hawk away, then pump frantically to catch up with their friends. That was pretty entertaining.
We also saw some cypress roots that were strange and beautiful and looked undeniably penis-y. Those were not entertaining at all because they are nature and therefore not funny.
I probably won't go back any time soon, but I can think of far worse ways to spend a Saturday afternoon.