There is no better feeling in this world than being outdoors with nature, especially when there are plenty of activities to indulge in. Often people take for granted the sentimental value they can experience. by simply walking in a park. God created the Earth to be beautiful and peaceful, and people should keep it that way. I have always shared a love of the outdoors with my father and brother. We have taken many camping, hiking, fishing, and stargazing trips since I can remember. It didn't surprise me when my father decided to buy a house on Hyco Lake, just outside of Roxboro. We got a really good deal on the house, so my dad decided Hyco Lake was the perfect place. Hyco Lake was built in the 1960s by Carolina Power and Light as a cooling reservoir for the steam power plant. The lake was filled in 1965 after Hurricane Hilda hit and the reservoir filled. The power plant on Hyco Lake heats the water, but cooling units were built in the early 1970s to keep the water temperature low. However, near my home on the South Hyco Islands, the water is heated which allows swimming almost all year round. Recently I haven't been able to go there as much as I would like because of the drought we've been experiencing. Last Easter weekend my family and I went to the lake and it was the most fun I've had in a long time. Hyco Lake is actually located in Semora, North Carolina, just about fifteen minutes from Roxboro. Most of Roxboro and all of Semora are located in the countryside, so it is not uncommon to see animals running wild. We bring our dog with us so she can run wild and be one with the other wild animals. When we arrived home, the first thing I did was go down to the dock to check the water temperature and see if it was warm enough to go swimming. I was about halfway down the aisle when I saw a huge water moccasin lying in the sun at the end of the aisle. Water moccasins are very toxic, so I know not to handle them.