A Ball Game and Some Real Surf Kayaking

Last week after my trip on the Nantahala I took my sea kayak out for a paddle on Lake Hartwell . The lake is located on the Georgia-South Carolina border is a very large man made lake. The lake was made in the late 50s and early 60s when the Army Corps of Engineers built a series of dams for controlling the water in that area. Hartwell is very busy with lots of pontoon boats, jet-skis, and speed boats all over the place. Until recently the lake was suffering from the drought that affected all of the Southeastern United States. At one point it was at least 15 feet low but has bounced back with all the rain and even snow we had this winter.

The people on the lake were very courteous. I didn't run into any issues with excessive speed or anything else. In fact most people were friendly and waved. As a note it is generally annoying to a kayaker, who has both hands on the paddle, to return a wave. Don't get upset if I just smile and nod. I put-in at the boat ramp at the River Forks Recreational Area. The park has three beaches and a nice little boat launch. Admission was a few dollars for use of the park; use of the lake is free.

Here is picture of a sign as you get close to the boat ramp. I sort of expected it but I guess there are some people you just need to tell.

There are several islands nearby. One seemed to have a little tent city on it and most had nice little beaches. There were people on some of the beaches but there was lots of room for everyone. It seemed like a good place to bring everyone for a pic-nic. Maybe we'll have to see about it when everyone gets back in a few weeks.

I also took in a Greenville Drive baseball game last week. Tickets for a game were easy to get and my seat was just behind the dugout. I was perfectly lined up with the first base line. The game was good but the home team didn't have a good night. The visiting Delmarva Shorebirds ended up winning 3 to 1 but not without a late rally by the Drive. It did rain a few times but I was under the stadium's canopy so that wasn't an issue. The plan is to go again this week, weather permitting.

Last Friday was the next weekend adventure. A four and a half hour drive through Columbia, towards Charleston, and down I-95 towards Savannah, GA to Tybee Island took most of Friday afternoon. I set-up the tent at the private campsite and headed out to explore the island and find some supper.

The last thing I did when packing the car the night before was throw my bike in. I'm glad I did. My 21 year old mountain bike was very useful since parking on Tybee Island is an issue. Every street, every parking lot, and every open space that could hold a car seems to want your money. I ended up eating at a little Thai restaurant that was OK. Following that I parked the car at the campground and took a quick cruise along the main drive to one of the many beach access areas.

I headed down the path and found a lovely beach that was very busy considering is was getting late. There people swimming, a few surfers, and people just sitting and reading. The neatest thing I saw was out by a jetty where the swells were breaking. A bunch of teenagers were surfing on little boards by launching themselves at a dead run into the water timing themselves to hit the waves. I did get a video of it. It certainly looked like a good time but they made it look much easier than it likely is.

It was neat to have the bike on the beach. It's something you hardly ever see back in Nova Scotia. The sand was hard enough that I pedaled about 3 miles up and back. I also took a few pictures of the sunset behind the lighthouse but my phone wasn't the best tool for the job.

The night was warm with a very small breeze. I must emphasize that the breeze was small and that warm might be interpreted as just plain hot. I would lying if I said I slept well. Between the heat and the cicadas who went on all night, it was a rough night. It's hard to believe how much noise a small insect can make. At times you would have to yell to be heard over the din.

In the morning I met up with my surf kayak instructor from Savannah Canoe and Kayak at the far end of the beach. We set out in the surf boats to join the board surfers in the line up. Now for those of you who understand kayaks and naval architecture, let me just say these boats are unstable. It was like going back to elementary school to learn to read and write. I spent more time keeping the boat upright than enjoying myself on the water at first. I can't complain too much. In the end I felt like I had pushed my limits and felt good for having done something I've always wanted to do. Next time I'll know a little more of what to expect. I also had issues getting out of the kayak since the cockpit was very narrow. I managed to beat up my shins quite badly and have a bruise, a few cuts, and some swelling to show for it. In the end I deferred the second half of the two day course to another weekend in the fall. I don't think I wouldn't have had any fun on the second day feeling the way I did at the end of day one. That's not to say I didn't enjoy it once I got the hang of it. By the end of the four hours I was cutting down waves at speeds I didn't think were possible. I guess I'm just not as young as I used to be.

Another interesting point was going from water temperatures of 45F last week in the mountains to 80F at Tybee Island. I still can't get used to the ocean being so warm here. My impressions of Tybee Island are that it is no Folly Beach. The place just doesn't have the same feel or appeal for me. There didn't seem to be as many shops and restaurants and parking was always an issue. I think because it is bigger and may have more year-round residents it felt more like the visitors were a nuisance than a welcome part of the economy and culture. Anyway, it's just my opinion. Given the choice I'd go to Folly Beach any day.

This weekend I think I'll take it easy. I need to do a little yard work and clean up the house so that it is presentable when everyone gets back form Nova Scotia. I may head up to the US National Whitewater Center in Charlotte. They have a man-made white water course powered by some huge pumps and an conveyor so that you don't need to shuttle back up to run the river again. It's sort of like skiing and getting the chair lift back up the mountain. I don't know if I'll paddle yet-I need to check and see what the water is like first. Either way there is lots to do there so between the center and Charlotte there should be lots to see and do.

I have also watched a few movies while I've been home alone, most of which are war movies. Because of this I'm considering driving down to Charleston to go to Patriot's Point to see the USS Yorktown. That may be too far to go for a day trip by myself so it likely won't happen. Maybe I'll wait until my parents are here, maybe Bernard will want to go.