One of my online students canceled their 4 to 6pm class on Saturday, so that gave me time to get to Hickory Point Recreation Park before sunset. Stella Arbelaez had suggested I go there to sketch the fishermen.
I didn’t find the fishermen but was fascinated by the army of boats being hauled out of the water at the boat ramps. The setting sun lit up one Spanish moss coated tree a bright orange. The parking lot was full of pick up trucks with boat trailers. There were so many trucks and trailers that I couldn’t find a spot to park. The small road connecting all the lots spiraled in circles. At one pint I turned in and found I was driving the wrong way, since there were arrows painted on the roadway. I finally just parked on the grass.
There was a big private event going on at the clubhouse. I just walked towards the water to see what I could find to sketch. I settled on this view of the boat ramps. This is where there was the most activity. I sat in the shade next to the public bathrooms. Early on in the sketch a fellow walked up behind me and asked with a thick southern drawl, “You mind if I peak at yer sketch?” I held it up though it was only half started. He was delighted regardless. “Well hell that looks gooood.” A mother and her tow daughters approached much later in the process. Mom explained that if there was one talent that she could have, it would be to make art.
A Lake County utility vehicle parked right in front of me blocking my view to much of the scene. He walked away leaving the engine running. I considered putting the vehicle in the sketch but decided her would drive off soon. I looked at what could be seen around his vehicle to keep pushing my sketch forward. Sure enough maybe 15 minutes later he drove off.
It was fascinating watching the endless stream of boats being hauled out of the water. There was a line of pick up trucks behind me waiting to get to the water’s edge. I was impressed by one man who used the ramp to launch his kayak. The kayak was set up with all sorts of fishing implements. Now that looked like something I might want to try someday. The Highway 19 bridge had a polite and consistent flow of traffic. Most folks don’t tail gate around these parts. This was the last sketch in this Stonehenge panoramic sketchbook. It goes on the bookcase today. I need to find another one of these sketchbooks. Most scenes out here in Yalaha are undeniably wide.
As I was exiting the spiraling parking lot, I saw a fisherman walking towards the water. He would get to his fishing spot just as the sun was setting. I will need to return to Hickory Point just a touch later in the day to find that sweet fishing spot. There are also hiking trails I haven’t discovered yet.