It was dreary! I staggered to the window and looked for Mr. Sunshine, he wasn't there. The liquid drops of sunshine bounced on the deck doing the bounce and splat dance, I'd never heard that tune before, it was a little soggy! That is OK- this isn't a scheduled Take a Hike Day, it is a scheduled Take a Break Day. Monday -Thursday were the do it or die days, and I did it! Very proud of myself, for being disciplined enough to get out of bed four days in a row and go hiking. Have been working the afternoon/night shift, commonly called the second shift, getting home at 12:30am. Real easy to sleep late in the morning until time to get ready to go to work again.Don't like this shift, but only work it one week out of four, not to bad! When you work for someone else you just have to take the good with the bad and move on.
Paris Mountain State Park, the go to place when there's not time to drive to the mountains. A nice park close to Greenville SC. Lots of trails for both the experienced hiker and the inexperienced hiker. Open to mountain bikers Sunday-Friday on most of the trails. I hiked the Brissy Ridge Trail on Monday,Tuesday, and Wednesday. This trail gives a good work out and takes an hour or hour and a half. On Thursday I hiked to the North Lake. A very beautiful 15 acre lake just sitting there on the mountain. It was a two hour hike there and back.
No, nothing fun happened, nothing bad happened, nothing exciting happened, just a good four mornings of hiking.
On land or lake,
Turtle
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Saturday, April 16, 2011
"Soak in the nature Day" Paddle to Corbin Creek 4-14-2011
The big water had a breeze blowing across the entire body of water causing a rippling effect which was mesmerizing. We stood at the boat ramp enjoying the slight breeze and warm sun, waves from a passing bass boat rocked the canoe. Gracie jumped into the canoe and I seated myself on the paddler cushion, a nod to the men standing on shore and we were off. The plan for the day was to cross the lake and check out a small hidden cove which houses a big turtle. Lake Jocassee is about five feet low which is perfect for canoeing, many small sand bars are exposed which allows for stops and stretching. We are also able to slip into the entrance of this tree covered and water logged log jammed cove. There is a water fall on one side and a huge rock jutting out over the other side. A nice place to hide and eat a simple lunch. We have a hard time surprising the turtle, he is usually slipping into the water about the time we spot him. Because of the wind we change plans.
The wind factor has us paddling directly toward Corbin Creek, which is fine. This allows us to stay on the left side of the lake heading in a westerly direction. We just go at a turtle pace and soak up the sunshine enjoying it's warmth. We are tracking the mileage with a GPS and see it's about three miles to the mouth of the creek. Am not sure how far up the creek we go, but we stop when we come to a rock ledge and can't go any further. On the way back down the creek a stiff wind is blowing toward us trying to put us in the trees, no real problem until I see a duck swimming and decide to take a picture of it. A swimming duck, a wind blown canoe, and a inexperienced photographer! We spent fifteen minutes trying to get close enough to take THE PICTURE! It didn't happen! The duck flew away, the canoe tipped over-not really-and photographer got wet-not really! It was fun, but the duck just would not be still.
Stayed close to shore as we paddled back to the truck. Listened for water falls hidden behind the rhododendrons. Saw new growth--- bright green and glistening in the bright sunshine. Pollen is floating on the water and even a pollen ring stains the rocks. We find five small water falls flowing into the lake, some are easy to see a couple are hidden behind leaves. This paddle has turned into a "soak in the nature day" as we meander along the shore.
A good afternoon; paddled nine miles, saw one independent duck, and arrived back home safely.
Later, from land or lake!
Turtle
The wind factor has us paddling directly toward Corbin Creek, which is fine. This allows us to stay on the left side of the lake heading in a westerly direction. We just go at a turtle pace and soak up the sunshine enjoying it's warmth. We are tracking the mileage with a GPS and see it's about three miles to the mouth of the creek. Am not sure how far up the creek we go, but we stop when we come to a rock ledge and can't go any further. On the way back down the creek a stiff wind is blowing toward us trying to put us in the trees, no real problem until I see a duck swimming and decide to take a picture of it. A swimming duck, a wind blown canoe, and a inexperienced photographer! We spent fifteen minutes trying to get close enough to take THE PICTURE! It didn't happen! The duck flew away, the canoe tipped over-not really-and photographer got wet-not really! It was fun, but the duck just would not be still.
Stayed close to shore as we paddled back to the truck. Listened for water falls hidden behind the rhododendrons. Saw new growth--- bright green and glistening in the bright sunshine. Pollen is floating on the water and even a pollen ring stains the rocks. We find five small water falls flowing into the lake, some are easy to see a couple are hidden behind leaves. This paddle has turned into a "soak in the nature day" as we meander along the shore.
A good afternoon; paddled nine miles, saw one independent duck, and arrived back home safely.
Later, from land or lake!
Turtle
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