Drip… Drip… Drip… You wipe and wipe at your sweaty sun burnt brow, but the torrent of moisture just won’t stop. Another hot summer day has come, and you are dying for something fun and refreshing to do. Suddenly it hits you, like a glorious train of pure bliss. Your mind takes you to relaxed days of tubes and jet skis. Now that summer is upon us, K-State students are primed and ready to flock to our local lakes for some good old summer time fun. What makes a lake more thrilling than a pool? Chelsey Fritch, junior in vocal performance, believes it is because, “There’s no chlorine, and it’s much more peaceful” So, what do students enjoy doing? Chelsey and her friends enjoy a variety of lake related activities. When heading to the lake they take one of her friend’s boats and hit the water for a day of zipping across the water. When that loses its appeal they grab the rods and do a little fishing, or perhaps change it up for a little kayaking. When it comes to what lake she prefers, “It really just depends on what area I’m in.” Students who are summering over in the Manhattan area have the great fortune of being within a few miles of two pristine escapes of the aquatic nature. Milford Lake, which is the largest reservoir in Kansas, is located approximately 5 miles north of Junction City. This extremely scenic lake, also known as the "Lake of Blue Water," is far from a boring old puddle. According to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks its 16,200 acres of water surface and the surrounding park offer many exciting opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast. If you enjoy camping you might enjoy the 120 electric/ water utility sites within the five campgrounds. In addition for those going more rugged there are more than 100 improved primitive campsites within the park. The 163+ miles of shoreline at Milford offer boat ramps and swimming beaches galore, and it even has its own Yacht Club. If you are going for someplace a tiny bit closer to home there is our northern neighbor Tuttle Creek Reservoir. Although not as large as Milford, Tuttle still holds its own at 12,500 acres of surface water (making it the second largest in Kansas). Much like Milford Tuttle offers an array of activities both on the lake and in the surrounding park. However, Tuttle in addition to camping sites also has cabins available to stay in. Also, the nature seeker can take a ride on the equestrian trail or rent a canoe and head out on the water. Some students prefer heading out of the state for their lake adventures. Daniel Hillman, Senior in Social Science finds his favorite escape at the massive Grand Lake O' the Cherokees located in northeastern Oklahoma. While down on the59,200 acres of water he and his friends enjoy boating, skiing and fishing. Recently Daniel even picked up canoeing. “Any excuse to go out to the lake is good enough for me” So, if the sun is shining and you find yourself hankering for some fun, just head on out to the lake. Whether you are boating, fishing, or just relaxing on the shore it is almost a guaranteed good time. | 
