Kayaking on Lake Adger

 
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 We recently went with a group of friends to one of our favorite semi-local paddling destinations.  Lake Adger.  The lake is located near Mill Springs NC.  The lake has approximately 438 surface acres, and around 14 miles of shoreline.

  The Green River, which feeds into the Lake Adger was high due to recent and prolonged heavy rain in the Carolinas.  Driving into the parking area for the landing, we could see the river was way out of its banks.   

   Once on the water, it was evident by all the debris and driftwood on this lake, the flooding that had taken place up river.   Shortly into the paddle, we were greeted by an Osprey flying overhead, we also got to see some hawks during the paddle.  It was quite overcast and soon the showers came. The rain was so light, it actually felt pretty darn good.  We paddled, and attempted to find three geocaches on the lake, we actually only found one.  We attributed this to the high water level.
  There is a small waterfall on the lake which is normally just a trickle, today however, it had good flow over it and added to the beauty of this scenic lake.

 

 

The small falls

 

 

The Flotilla of color

 

 

Restrictions on this lake include a 80hp restriction on pontoons and a 60hp limit on other watercraft.

To maintain its peaceful environment, no jet skis or water skis are allowed.

 

 

 

Word is, the fishing is great, soon we intend to find out ...

 



 

Paddling Sparkleberry Swamp

 

 

A daybreak start to a paddle in Sparkleberry Swamp

 

 

 

 

Geared Up

 

 

 

 

   A couple of weekends ago, Lisa and I, along with some good friends spent some time in the midlands, camping, kayaking and geocaching.   Our main objective on the trip was to kayak Sparkleberry Swamp, and to log the Geocache that is located there.  GCIVONX.  Both missions were accomplished, and we all enjoyed time well spent in one of South Carolina's most beautiful wild places.

OSPREY

Wood stork

 

 



Sparkleberry Swamp lies at the headwaters of Lake Marion, a part of the Upper Santee Swamp formed by the junction of two mighty river systems, the Wateree and the Congaree. Between them, these rivers drain more than 15,000 square miles of watershed. The Upper Santee extends southward to the Rimini-Lone Star railroad trestle and contains 16,000 public acres owned by the South Carolina Public Service Authority, better known as Santee Cooper.

 

Carolina living!

A rare white Christmas

On Christmas evening of 2010, the Upstate of South Carolina was blessed with the first white Christmas since 1963. Snow fell all evening and most of the next morning. I snapped a couple of photos while paddling around the lake.

Lake Oolenoy kayak Fishing

Last week, Lisa and I took my brother on his first kayak fishing trip. It was at Lake Oolenoy. We really enjoyed ourselves. The scenery alone is worth the drive up there.

Out and about.....

 

34.40.952
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Chester State Park:
We drove down to Chester yesterday to log a new geocache (GC1D92M) placed by our friend Mike.
We had never been to this park before and it was quite a pleasant surprise. The park has a 150+ acre lake, a boat house, camping as well as a mile plus nature trail (Caney Fork Creek trail). The park also has an archery range.
Chester State Park was developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), a New Deal Program created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The program was designed to provide employment during the Great Depression while addressing national needs in conservation and recreation.
The CCC was instrumental in the development of many of South Carolina's state parks.
The day we were there, we had the lake to ourselves. Its a very beautiful little park.
In addition to the cache listed above, there is also GCQPDJ & GC9804

Edisto River : Kayaking & Treehouse Camping.

We spent our Easter weekend with friends on an overnight kayaking trip on the Edisto River. The Edisto is the longest free flowing blackwater river in the United States, and it is beautiful!

We put in the river at Whetstone Landing just above river mile maker 104. We paddled down the river enjoying the sights and sounds of wildlife. We were able to see the elusive Pileated Woodpecker, and a very rare Swallowtail Kite. We will report the Kite sighting near river mile 99. Around river mile 92, we located our tree houses, and it was a near miss as we turned sharp left and paddled against the strong current of a strainer to get to the take out for the tree houses.


Darkness came along with a campfire, a hammock, and a spectacular light show from the hundreds of lighting bugs, to a chorus from a hoot owl in the night.
Up early on a cold morning, and after a hot breakfast, back out on the river for the remaining 10 mile paddle.
Life is Good!