Alan and I both are on spring break this week, so we decided we needed to get some kayaking done. Monday morning we loaded up the boats and headed toward Lake Oolenoy in Table Rock State Park.
Lake Oolenoy is a small lake, only 36 acres or so. Scenic Highway 11 runs across it’s upper arm, and there is lake access east and west of the bridge. On the west side is a visitor’s center for the park, along with a nice fishing dock. The west side has a boat ramp and rest rooms with another fishing dock. Motor boats are limited to electric only, which makes it ideal for paddling. You don’t have to contend with big outboards.
We first paddled north under the highway bridge and toward Table Rock. The banks were lined with a few boulders, and soon the route narrowed to the width of a small stream. We paddled as far as we could up the stream until logs blocked our pathway.
Back out at the lake we skirted the entire coast counter-clockwise. We stopped to explore just about every tributary and cove. Along the way we had spectacular scenery with Table Rock and Pinnacle Mountain looming over us.
There was lots of wildlife to keep us company. There was evidence of beavers everywhere, and we came upon a beaver dam at one point. I’m sure I spotted one of them swimming out in the lake. There were several waterfowl, including one Canada goose that kept following us, begging for a handout. Alan even made friends with a little turtle.
It didn’t take us long to explore the entire lake. We had a nice lunch on the banks, and enjoyed the time out on lake. Lake Oolenoy is excellent for beginning paddlers, or for those who just want a quick outing on the water.