June 25, 2015 - Beating Feet...

to beat the heat.  We decided to celebrate Donna's birthday and escape the 99 degree heat by heading to Twin Falls and Sassafras Mountain near the North Carolina border.  We followed Rte 178 northwest to the town of Pickens.  There, a sign warned that the rest of the route was winding and narrow, and recommended an alternate route for trucks and trailers.  The turnoff toward the falls was 12 miles from Pickens.  I knew we had missed it when we saw a sign for Sassafras Mountains since the falls are south of that.  We knew for sure we missed the turn when we saw the North Carolina state line sign.  So, we headed back and drove the so called road which was more like a cow path up to the summit of Sassafras, then continued south to try to find the turn off for the falls, which we finally did.

One of the signs cautioning about the switchbacks on the road.

Up here it was 22 degrees cooler than at the campsite.

Yep, we definitely missed the turnoff

 

But, we did make it to the summit of Sassafras Mountain

 

While I am not a full blown acrophobic, I sometimes get vertigo from heights.  I cautiously made my way out to the observation deck, making sure there was still solid ground underneath it.  Bob stayed behind with Charlie Dog.

 Sassafras Mountain is the highest peak in South Carolina, with an elevation determined to be 3533'.  From this point, you can see the Blue Ridge Mountains in the distance. We then headed back to Rte 178 in hope of finding the turnoff for the falls. .

 

 

 

Now I see why we missed the turnoff to S-100...we were distracted seeing "Bob's Place" on the way up!

 

Not to mention the "Road Kill Grill" across the road. 

A pastoral scene on  Cleo Chapman Road aka S100 on the way to the falls is in great contrast to the turnoff on SR 178.

The start of the trail to Twin Falls

Bob was the first to notice this unusual tree/rock formation. It was like some dinosaur from Jurassic Park was holding the boulder captive.

Or a kraken had risen from the creek.  

The  "easy"  1/4 mile trail along an old "road bed" described in the travel brochure became less easy and more narrow.

Bob wanted to go forward, but I decided to stay behind with Charlie.  As you can see, Charlie couldn't believe the drop off to our right.

Bob said the rest of the trail was a bit rough, but worth the journey to see the double falls.  The one at the left cascades 75 feet down, and the one on the right is at a 45 degree angle. The twin falls are a result of a split in the stream above the falls.  I don't know why, but Twin Falls is also know as Eastatoe Falls, Reedy Cove Falls, and Rock Falls.  Maybe the folks at Bob's Place or Road Kill Grill can explain why, but I don't think we'll be stopping in to find out.

And today, after that hairy ride in a vehicle that we both agreed was not safe any longer,  Bob  traded in his 10 year old  diesel Dodge Ram truck that had  185,00 miles, and that  gave us 10 years of wonderful adventures, but had an air bag recall, needed new tires,  new a/c and  many other fixes, for a new 2015 Ram 1500 4x4 Econo diesel.  Here's to many more miles of adventures in the new Ram! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





 

 

 

 



Friendship Recreation Area June 17, 2015

Our map of Lake Hartwell shows where there are boat ramps and beach areas.  Friendship Recreation Area is where we went boating/fishing yesterday.  Today we went to the beach area across the road, on the other side of the bridge that we tried to go under in our boat yesterday.  What is really surprising is that there is no charge at this park, not even a day use fee, even though it has a lot of picnic tables with bbq grills,  a playground, a bathhouse/rest room building, and protected beach area.  It's not the kind of  beach that comes to mind with the word beach since the ground is dark orange, but it's still a beach in the strict definition of the word.  Bob didn't want to swim, so he took his book and read while sitting under the shade of a tree, and kept Charlie Dog company.  The water was very warm, although the current produced several refreshingly cool spots. I can't remember the last time I swam in a lake!  The swimming area is confined to about the size of an Olympic pool and a depth of 6 feet, although there are no restrictions if you choose to go past the safety barrier.   At 1 pm, there was only 1 other family of 3 there.  Before we left, two other folks came.  How nice not to worry about sharks, alligators or crowds!  And what a great way to beat the 90+ degree heat wave we've been having.

 

 

Bob always says he doesn't want his picture taken, but I didn't think he'd mind this one since he's hidden behind the float he's blowing up for me.  Charlie Dog wanted to explore instead of sit in his chair.

Thanks, Bob.  Float is just right.

 

 

 







June 16, 2015 -Even a bad day of fishing...

...is better than a day at work, or so the saying goes.  It is very relaxing just to be out on the lake.  Monday we checked out a boat ramp a little north of us called the Friendship  Access. A sign explained that we could get an annual pass for the day use facilities.  I called and found out we could buy a pass at the Coneross Campground which is near the boat ramp, so we went there.  Since the lake is managed by the Army Corps of Engineers, we were able to pay half price for the annual pass ($15), since Bob has the Golden Passport card.  Great deal!  So, Tuesday morning, we packed our fishing gear and took off.

A view of the ramp and parking lot after launching.  Bob liked the ramp better than our camp's.

 

                           

                     Wish there was a fish in this picture!

 

Same for Bob.

The Corps requires that houses be 75 yards from shoreline, although property owners can get permits for boat docks.

We were going to try to go under the bridge, but there was only an 8 foot clearance.  We didn't think we would make it because of the light on top of the Bimini cover.

The Corps also submerges "artificial reefs" that are supposed to attract fish.  Here is a marker showing one such site, although we didn't have any luck here either.   The water was around 30 feet deep and water temp 83, according to our depth finder.  The fish are probably in deeper, cooler water.  This buoy shows on our map of Lake Hartwell.  Good to know the map is accurate.   

 





This might look like a peaceful island, but there sure was a lot of noise coming from it, especially when one of the herons flew in.  It must be home to a flock of nesting birds.  We headed back in after this. It was starting to get too hot, even with lake breeze.





Maiden Voyage on Lake Hartwell June 12, 2015

The cousins from Snellville, GA, came for a visit on Friday, so we thought it would be a  great time to try out our newly refurbished pontoon. Cindy, Wally, and youngest son, Dusty, arrived about 11 am.  After loading picnic hampers, coolers, fishing gear, and ourselves, we were on our way.  The weather was perfect.  No one caught any fish.   In fact, I was the only one who had a bite, and I didn't manage to hook it.  But, no one really cared. We were having too good a time enjoying the scenery and each other's company. The boat worked great with the new water pump and prop Bob had installed.   We got back to shore around 3:30.  Some storm clouds were starting to form.  We spent about another hour and a half snacking and chatting on our deck, then they had to leave.  However, they left us with several bags of yellow squash, string beans, and cucumbers they had picked from their organic garden that morning.  I couldn't believe how much grew in the 3 weeks since we had seen it!  And everything even looked healthy!  Thanks, guys!

 

Bob stowing the fishing gear at the campground dock

Dusty and Cindy staying cool under the Bimini top

Wally struggling with his line

 



 

 Lake Hartwell is right at "full pool" which means a high water level.  The deepest part of the lake is 185 feet, and the average is 45 feet.  We are on one of the smaller areas of the lake.  The bigger portion is to the south.  All in all, there are 962 miles of shoreline and 56,000 acres of water, making Hartwell one of the largest lakes in the southeast.



I agree, Cindy.  This surely beats working!