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     Toronto Lake is a few minutes south of the town of Toronto, and five miles south of Highway 54 in southeastern Kansas (map). The Verdigris feeds this reservoir, a slow-moving river that tends to be murky. The lake is situated in a hickory-oak forest, and is really quite lovely. It is not heavily used, possibly since it is quite a distance from any major city, the closest being Wichita one and one-half hours to the west. It is visited by many bird species, and is the seasonal home to a large flock of migrating pelicans. There are six excellent hiking trails around the lake, and more lichens and mosses than I have seen anywhere in the Midwest. The state's only granite outcropping can also be found here. Learn more about this tranquil lake from the Kansas State Parks and the Leisure and Sports Review.