Kayak Camping Lake Drummond, Chesapeake Va.

After much debate, and weather watching, we have decided to take a kayak camping trip to Lake Drummond in Chesapeake, Va. for some rest and relaxation. We have arrived at the launch area on the Dismal Swamp Canal and we are finally loaded up and ready to go on this beautiful November Saturday.

And we are off!

The 1 mile paddle down the canal was breathtaking. Fall has definitely arrived in The Great Dismal Swamp, splashing its bright red and yellow colors across the canal.

We have arrived at The Dismal Swamp Canal feeder ditch entrance and ahead of us is the 2 mile paddle through the refuge to the spillway.

The feeder ditch was a calming, peaceful paddle into the heart of the refuge.

More than a few times we had to pause and just soak it all in. Amazing scenery and complete silence. Except for the occasional woodpecker or rustle in the woods. The spillway is right ahead in the distance and we are ready to stretch our legs.

We have arrived at the spillway and on solid ground.

Since it was close to sunset, we decided to set up camp before we headed out to Lake Drummond. We found a perfect place on the point of the spillway and set up shop.

Now that we are all set up its time for the short paddle into the lake. We are crossing our fingers that the clouds will clear and we will be able to see the sunset on the majestic Lake Drummond.

We glide onto Lake Drummond, a 3,000 acre mirror this afternoon, an experience that can never be explained with words alone.

The farther the sun set, the more amazing the view. It became hard to tell where the sky stopped and the earth began.

As the Sun set and the full Moon began to rise we continued to explore the large Cypress trees while the sounds of migrating birds passed over head invisibly, and bats passed by overhead collecting their food.

It was time to head back to camp,  the light from the full moon rising helped enrich the experience of the night paddle back to camp.

Back at camp, safe and sound its time to start a fire and make some dinner. It has been an unforgettable day paddling here and we are ready to sit around the fire and reflect on the day. A chilly night ahead of us but we are ready to get some much needed rest. We woke up early and cooked breakfast and we are off to search for Black Bears climbing the trees eating berries near the coastline. The crisp temperatures last night had produced some stunning colors.

Lake Drummond greeted us once again with a mirror like appearance without a single ripple on the water. It was hard once again to tell heaven from earth, and sometimes you could do nothing but just sit in amazement at the absolute beauty.

3 miles later we are headed back to camp for lunch and to pack up and head home. We wish we could stay for longer but all good things must come to an end. We couldn't have asked for more ideal conditions in November and the sunset alone was worth it all.

We are all packed up and ready for a nice relaxing paddle back to launch. Temperatures in the 70s in late November made for another amazing paddle down the feeder ditch.

We are have reached the canal and the final mile of our trip is ahead. We are sad to see it come to an end, but thankful for the experience. Another day, or two, taking the world on with a paddle. Get out and enjoy!