Oases of wet in an often dry state

Barber Lake

Cowley Lake

They have a confusing title. They’re called County State Fishing Lakes and many counties in Kansas have them. I believe the name derives from the fact that both county and state spend something to make them happen, and each government benefits.  The county from enhanced tourism and local recreation and the state by not having to oversee 

                                           more state parks.

Montgomery Lake

Unlike state parks there is no vehicle or personal fee to come into one. And while camping from primitive tent to 50’ Prevost bus is permitted no driver of anything bigger than our 35’ rig would be dumb enough… well, maybe if I were that driver…

And all camping is free, first come first served and completely unsupervised.  I imagine you’d want to arrive by noon on a Friday to get your first site choice. But during the week, especially now with many Kansas public schools started up, this is an amazingly private way to camp with all you need, IF you bring it with you.  Our Alpine is perfect for this.

  

Tonight and probably tomorrow, and maybe the next night (we don’t plan too much that way) we are at Montgomery County State Fishing Lake just south of Independence, Kansas.  We are on the lake. No, I need to re-word that. We are almost IN the lake.  About 10 feet from the water.  But no tidal worries in this fresh water habitat. And peaceful, serene, calm are words that only begin to describe the park.

To give you an idea of what I mean check out these pics.  And if you think I am exaggerating about how calm it is here, the most exciting thing we did today was go into town to the post office to pick up our mail (TY Jenn and Chris) and the library and get the senior supper deal at Eggbert’s Restaurant from 2 to 5: Buy one meal and get the second FREE.  

We shared a 12 OZ Chicken Fried Steak, mashed potatoes and green beans and brought a second home to split into two meals for under $14.00 including tip! 

Our retirement budget requires two meals for under $10.00, and four well prepared meals for $14.00 works just right.

There are three other Eggbert’s in Southeast Kansas and we just might find another tomorrow! Hmmm. Catfish sounds tempting.

Back to calm… We read, napped a little, and I took these pictures of the clouds reflecting the setting sun. 

See if you can guess which ones show the sky above the trees, and which ones show the lake above the trees.

Let me know by Facebook, email, or respond to this blog at the bottom. I’ll let you know if you are right.

After all, it’s so calm here, what else do I have to do?

YES MONA!  I’M COMING!

-Ken