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| Beaver Dam -Stamp Creek |
We put the canoe on the lake yesterday and we had a swell time. Drove for a hour to get to Stamp Creek Access on Lake Keowee, rained most all the way. By the time we arrived at the boat ramp it was just overcast and cool. Backed that truck down to the water and unloaded just like we had done it an hundred times before. Felt good to paddle across the placid water just a small wake and the sound of the water leaving the paddle at the end of each stroke. We moved away from the developed shore and headed into the part of the lake waiting to be developed. Several signs along the water line- Lot number ? for sale. Past all of that are No trespassing signs posted by a hunting club. Kinda made me feel unwelcome and unwanted! We pushed on to the end where the creek flows into the lake, the water is about five feet below full pond. The ground all soft and marsh with grasses growing on what would normally be the lake bottom. Went as far as we could and had to stop when the canoe bottom wedged in the mud. Gracie jumped out and I slowly pulled myself up and standing. Stepped out in to the soft lake bottom and sunk up to about half of an inch over the top of my waterproof LL Bean hunting boot. My thick wool socks acted as a wick and drew the cold wet- yes wet and cold- water all the way down and surrounded my right foot and then my left foot. I was not foot loose and fancy free, I can tell you that! Pulled my self up by my boot straps, stood on Higher Ground, shouted Halleluiah and marched to the Promised Land! Gracie has so much fun, we hiked about half a mile up stream, me mucking in the mud and marsh and she running and swimming through the water. Returned to the canoe and paddled to another creek, this creek is dammed by beavers. May 24, 2011--First time we found this dam and now we are just seeing if it is still here. Yes, the dam is in place and we could see where new sticks and branches have been added. Still haven't seen the beavers, but am sure they are around some place.
A big blue heron stands watching us paddle in his direction, we mean no harm, but he flies away with those long legs hanging down and his neck aimed as sure as an arrow flying to the target. Gracie is sleeping in the bow and I stop paddling to listen to natures music. Birds singing, crows cawing, the ripple of water, a silent wind, the canopy of heavy clouds covering this cove nestled between woods on the left and open hills on the right remind me of God's creation and how blessed we are to be loved by Him.
A nice slow paddle takes us back to the boat ramp, we load the truck and head home. It's been a good morning!
On the water or in the woods,
Turtle
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