The Family of Lake Warren

Some will swear that Lake Warren State Park's crown is the beautiful gazebo that looks out over the lake itself.  Some would say that her splendor lies in the fishing.  While both are admirable, I adamantly disagree.

Lake Warren's mystique is her earthy knowledge of who she is and where her purpose lies.  This park could have long since given itself over as a quiet refuge to serious fishermen.  It would have been an easy and valuable role to embrace.  Still, this would not have been a true course for Lake Warren.  She was meant for a fuller legacy.  She has opened herself up to hikers exploring her nature trails, children yelling and laughing on the playground, families fishing, eating, grilling, picnicking and then relaxing with the community of park visitors gathered to watch an outdoor presentation of a family friendly movie.

Lake Warren does not scoff at her youngest visitors and is honored to serve her purpose.  She invites everyone to "Come Out and Play."

My family first visited Lake Warren on Memorial Day.  It was close to sunset and we had been out exploring, hiking, learning and collecting stamp after stamp.  We met the park manager who had come to check on his charge even on that day- his day off.  He hadn't meant to come in to work.  He was out of uniform- a fact that bothered him more than anyone else.  He had been drawn into the park by his love for her and her guests.  He was driven to make sure she was well and that things were running as they should.  We met him as he was trying yet again to lock his office.  Far from offended at our presence, he approached us in welcome.  He stamped our book and then (to her delight) our daughter's hand.  He beamed with pride as he told us about his park.  His face glowed as he recounted how he had extended an out and back trail into a loop when he had first been given charge of Lake Warren.  He insisted that we go out on the fishing pier and look at the lake from the gazebo before we took our leave.  He shared with us about the animals and plants we might encounter and made sure we knew where the playground was.  The park had consumed its servant- but he didn't seem to mind.  He understood the place and was proud to be her advocate and her custodian.

We couldn't help being impressed by this man.  We asked to take a picture of him.  He was at first shy saying again that he was out of uniform  He may have lacked hat and name tag but he held tight to the most important piece of identity as a park ranger.  His heart for the park he served and the guests he welcomed clearly shone through in the picture he finally allowed us to take.  His pride outshone any name tag or badge.

Reluctantly, we took our leave of this great man to do his bidding and explore his park.  Wetfoot was hoping to see one of the park's resident alligators while I was just as hopeful that we would not.  We enjoyed breathing in the trail and walking under its treetop canopy.  We exited by the playground and went on to explore the much renowned pier and gazebo.  It was beautiful but would have been just another structure had it not been for the mix of folks fishing and enjoying it.  Fishermen looked kindly on small boys, some as young as three, who were "fishing".  The young fishers were actually running and screaming about the pier unable to curtail their joy at being on the gazebo fishing.  Old men smiled at these young boys as they watched them beginning to love the lake.  Serious fishers winked at worried mamas who tried to quiet their young ones.  Fishing was important to Lake Warren but family was most important here.  Families walked out on the gazebo and were affected by the pervading air of friendship.  They began talking, sharing stories, laughing and enjoying the day outside on the lake with new acquaintances as if they had been old friends.  The park held us all in an embrace in her gazebo over the Lake.  The air was warm with all the things that really matter.  We all enjoyed the sunset together as a community and then our family gathered our things and prepared for the long trip home.  We left happier, relaxed, refreshed and thankful that Lake Warren had made us one of her own.