His kayak lets him be one with nature

Editor's note: This is another installment in our weekly series highlighting what people like about living in Lake County. This week, we asked that question of the Rev. Gary Graf.

Holy Family Catholic Church's pastor has a favorite waterway when he wants spectacular scenery and exercise in Lake County.

The Rev. Gary Graf, who leads the heavily Hispanic Waukegan parish known for its activism in immigration issues, says he gets much enjoyment from dropping a kayak into the Des Plaines River at various points.

One thing Graf has found is that the Des Plaines River doesn't get crowded with others on canoes or kayaks when he hits the water.

"It's a chance to be one with nature," Graf says. "Do some thinking, do some praying."

Graf said one of the most enjoyable aspects of the river is how there are many different views and scenery that emerge as he paddles along. He said the typically low water levels make it easy to navigate.

Lake County Forest Preserve District canoe launch points for the river include Route 60 east of Milwaukee Avenue near Vernon Hills, Russell Road east of Route 41 by Wadsworth and Oak Spring Road west of St. Mary's Road near Libertyville.

Graf said perhaps his favorite spot to drop his kayak into the river is around Potawatomi Woods, just south of Lake Cook-Road. He'll then work his 9-foot-long basic kayak upstream to north, then come back downstream to his car.

"There are parts of the river with literally nothing but nature," he said.

--Bob Susnjara