What have we been doin'? We have been on the water having a great time! I will have to refer to my little black book to refresh my memory on the places I've been this pass month. My little black is not like the one that comes to mind when you hear that phrase, mine tells- where I've been, who I've been with, and what we've been doin'! Pretty close to the same thing only no phone numbers. Oh well, depends on how you look at it! Would much rather spend a day in the wild than a minute on the wild side!
Today is 06/21/2011 the first day of summer, supposed be 98 degrees hot this afternoon, to hot for me. If and when I finish this I may take a quick hike and soak my feet in a cool creek, sit on the bank and say "sure is hot". Now that is what I call livin'! Was at Lake Jocassee the other day, put in at 6:30am and paddled till 12:30pm. The lake was perfect-no waves, but a light wind and blue sky. Went to the far side and stopped for a swim in just the most perfect cove, the water was kinda' cold and really woke me up.Headed west following the shore, no boats out and about, just Gracie and I and the birds singing. Chewie-Chewie-Chewie, don't know what kind of bird this is,or even her name but I hear her at the house, in the woods, and on the lake. One happy bird, always singing! If you know what kind leave me a comment.
Moved on to the special hidden cove I found years ago and looked to see if the turtle was hanging out- have not seen him this year- maybe he has crawled to the big turtle nest on the heavenly Lake in the great bye and bye. There has been enough rain to keep the lake full and the small water fall continues to feed the lake here in the small cove. The water runs through green moss and trickles off the rocks leaving behind a dark stain, there is a ray of sunshine filtering its way down past the trees and landing on the sand between the water and forest floor, the water is clear and on a good day small fish dart and cruise under the canoe. We, Gracie and I sit still and listen and hear and soak in the richness of God's creation.
Kept going west, continuing to follow the shore line. Our time was up,so we turned headed east back to the boat ramp. Nonstop to the ramp, directly across the lake, just over an hour of steady stroking. The wind picked up and made for a cooler paddle back to the truck. As we got to within one hundred yards of the ramp the wind stopped and the temp increased about 20 degrees, or so it seemed. Perfect timing!
The second opportunity this month was spent on the other side of Double Springs Mtn.--- My bad!! Every time I say that I cross the lake, I am paddling from the second remote boat ramp to Double Springs Mtn. It is between a mile and a quarter / a mile and a half, depending on how straight you go and where you land. The first trip this month we went to DSMtn and paddled to the left or west, this trip we are paddling to the right or east and following the shore which goes around to the west and then in a north/westerly direction. [ That makes my head hurt-and I know of what I'm talking] Once again we stayed with the shore line and slowly made our way enjoying the green forest, clear water and blue sky. We come to another cove, bigger by far then the previous one, but oh so pretty. There is a song that says," There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God" This cove is that place! We have a lunch with us, a camp chair, and all day! The far end of the cove has a creek flowing into it. You can hear the water rustle as it joins the lake, trees shield it from the heat and grasses protect as it slips into the muddy bottom of the cove. Mountain creek cold and pure diamond clear. - Makes a man want to strip bare butt naked and do the Whoeethiswateriscolddance! [ I would never do anything like that ]-
We had finished lunch when we heard the thunder, loud and close, we just sat still under the trees and watched as the lightening flashed and a hard rain fell. Big plops as it hit the lake, in just a very few minutes the water was dripping through the trees and we got soaked. Two hours later it was over, as we left the cove we passed two wood duck nesting boxes, have not see any ducks nesting this year. Made our way back to the ramp and headed home.
The third trip to Jocassee was in a motor boat!!!! Have never done that before, been to the lake for the past 12 years and first time not in a canoe. A totally different experience! Will write about it later.
In the woods or on the water,
Turtle
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