Silver Lake Awakening

Trip Overview

On this early summer morning, I arrived at dawn from Philadelphia. Shared parking was easy with a couple of fishermen who were already there. I launched into Magnolia Lake while mist was still rising from the calm water. I headed straight for the only island and circled slowly around it. I breathed in the cool, morning air and looked at the growing color in the sky. Slowly my path lead to me to a low bridge where the lake exits and narrows into a small creek that eventually forms Silver Lake. This is my favorite part of the journey, for you are never more than 50 feet from shore, and it is highly scenic. At dawn it is quiet except for your gentle paddle strokes and the awakening wildlife. Turtles, geese, herons, and ducks to name a few all live here. A half mile down I gaze upward at the multi-story observation deck accessible from the Silver Lake Park trails. I glide beyond it, and slowly and carefully navigate my way through the maze of water level aquatic plants with wide leaves and bulbous yellow flowers. By now the sun is just breaking the horizon, and the world is no longer the cool blue color of dawn, but the warm and inviting color of sunrise. Finally, I am free of the plants. Although it was fun finding my way through them, it did make for slow paddling. Now I have reached the open, eastern end of the Silver Lake. The sun has broken the horizon, and I stop paddling for a few moments to take a cool, deep breath and let it warm my face. I cannot get too close to Bath Road, for a small waterfall exists. As more fishermen arrive and populate the lake, I turn around and head back. It has taken me over an hour to travel the short distance. That was intended. I wanted to enjoy this time- my favorite of the day. My journey back, with the sun as a companion, is much brighter and noisier; the world is much more awake than at dawn. I travel up the creek, pass under the road bridge, and enter Magnolia Lake. I do not dawdle, for the shore is getting crowded with fishermen, and my launch may be occupied. So ends this morning's trip to this local gem. Both Magnolia Lake and Silver Lake are highly scenic for both foliage and wildlife. Virtually no current exists, so paddling is easy. When I am pressed for time, I escape the city and make the quick trip to Lower Bucks County for this highly worthwhile adventure.