Boating on Lake Hartwell July 2015

Two weeks ago, cousins Cindy and Wally once again drove from Snellville, GA to visit us and go for a boat ride.  Weather was great, as was the company, and more of their fresh garden produce.  This past Saturday, Ruth and John, two folks we've met at the campground, invited us out in their pontoon to explore some of the lake we hadn't seen yet.  We had another wonderful day on the water with nice folks.

We launched at the Friendship Access boat ramp, thinking there would be less boat traffic than at the campground, and we were right.  Here,  Bob tries another cast while Wally takes a water break.  Cindy was content to sit under the bimini top and enjoy the scenery.  Unfortunately, the bimini top ripped on the way back home...dry rot. Bob will have another project on his To-Do list  making a new one.

When Wally's pole bent, he was sure he had caught a lunker.  But, this is what he had snagged.  Guess Wally will speak softly and carry a big stick.



John & Ruth tie off their pontoon at the point around from the camp dock. It's more convenient than towing it  and launching at the boat ramp.





John is acting as captain and tour guide, telling us about points of interest along he lake, such as some lagoons with beaches and Cemetery Island.   John and Ruth have been at the park for four years.  He is a work camper, and has been the owner's right arm,  taking over when Jamie (owner) is not there.  Ruth recently "retired" from working at the park office in order to concentrate on writing her novel.

We're heading north to a marina and grill in Clemson.

Clemson University, or at least part of it, is behind the trees in the distance.  

The grill is a very popular place, and one of the few lakeside eateries accessible by boat.

We sat at one of the picnic tables until a seating was available on the grill's canopied deck. 

After lunch, we headed south to the Portman Marina.  It is about the same distance from the campground as it is to the Clemson Marina.  There is a restaurant there called the Galley, but it doesn't open until 5 pm.  The bridge in this photo is part of SC24, the road we take into Anderson. We get a beautiful view of the lake each time we head into town.  Just as we got to the marina to gas up, we could see dark storm clouds forming.  John wisely headed back to camp as soon as the gas tanks were filled. We had no sooner docked and got off the boat when the thunderstorm hit. Good timing, John.