Columbia's outdoors are indeed great, particularly if you seek water

Whether you like to fish, ski, paddle or float, there's probably a waterway in the Midlands to suit your needs. State photographers Tim Dominick and Tracy Glantz describe some of their favorite spots for marine activities.

Outdoors

• 

  Lake Murray wonderful respite for boaters, anglers, skiiers

  Tim Dominick enjoys Lake Murray and is on it or in it as often as possible. He is blessed to spend time with family and friends creating memories on the lake. As one of The State’s photojournalists, Tim finds the lake and it’s inhabitants the perfect subjects for photography.
• 

  Columbia-area rivers provide outdoor adventures

  The River Alliance and the cities of Columbia, Cayce and West Columbia have worked to make the Midlands' rivers much more accessible. On the Saluda, photographer Tracy Glantz rekindled her Montana-bred passion for fly-fishing. Other waterways have offered her opportunities for kayaking and a backdrop for her photography.
• 

  Congaree National Park offers walk among the trees

  Dawn Kujawa, an editor on the Metro desk, is an avid hiker. She and her husband are on a mission to hike in as many of America’s national parks as possible. Closer to home in South Carolina, fall hikes to the Upstate’s waterfalls are a favorite family tradition. But nothing quite tops the beauty and accessiblity of the Congaree Swamp.
• 

  Serenity of Swan Lake short drive away

  Billed by the city of Sumter as the only public park in the United States to feature all eight swan species, Swan Lake offers a vast array of flora and fauna to be enjoyed by its visitors. That includes Kevin McLendon, night editor for The State, who commutes to work from Sumter, about 40 miles east of Columbia.