Life at 60, (mph)

Lake Glenville – NC

Water Clarity – 8+

Natural Quality – 6+

Difficulty – easy to moderate

Perception – weekday

Lake Glenville

I have boated Glenville numerous times, with the last outing being one of those ‘over-nighters‘ a while back (when ever I had to go 50 to 100 miles pulling the boat, I slept in the boat – on the water).  What always ‘stuck out’ about Glenville (some call it ‘Thorpe’) was the clarity and ‘freshness’ of the water; today paddling in the kayak, the water was as clean and ‘fresh’ as I remembered.

The size of Glenville was larger than I recalled too.

Powerhouse Landing

(GPS – @ 1371 Pine Creek rd, Glenville, NC)

After completing a number of chores near Asheville I headed for our default cabin in SC, Glenville was a little ‘out-of-the-way – yet an inviting target. I wondered if a paddle could fit within my plansfit within my plans. I was trying to get as many paddling days in before an upcoming ride Westward (Colorado and California).  I had the time and the ‘logic on my roof, so – Why not?

It was one o’clock when I made it to Powerhouse Landing on the North side of the lake, later than I like to start but it’s still ‘time on the water’… funny too how you remember things and then, and how they are now.  I was certain that Powerhouse was paved, but it’s just a well used gravel boat landing.

The weather was perfect, the kayak was in the water, and with a simple push – I slid out backwards.

The afternoon sun was blaring down and figuring with already enough freckles I would run the shady side to the farthest point and then explore coming back – it worked to some extent, I like the shade.

Besides the ‘freshness’ of it’s water the next thing noticeable about Glenville is with the shoreline, much of it is exposed rock.  It would seem that the ‘lapping’ waves have removed a few feet of topsoil and left the tough rock exposed.  It appears smooth as well as rough in places – but also a tough place for some folks to plant their deck posts in.

The beauty of this lake is also one of the reasons that many seek its waters, it is mildly populated (and growing) with recreational use more than moderate on weekends from Memorial Day to Labor Day.  ‘Paddling’ is best during the winter months when it is also a popular fishing destination.

In picking up any trash along the way I thought I spotted an old rag in the water so I paddled toward it – turned out to be a ‘swimming squirrel.  It must have swam all the way across the lake – pretty impressive.  I followed the squirrel to the shore and watched as it pulled itself to a rock and looked around – no, it didn’t shake like a dog..  On one outing a friend pulled a box-turtle from the middle of a lake, I continue to be impressed with the ability of little creatures to swim….

Completed a sweep of the eastern shore and the smaller coves all the way to the Southermost point – two hours of steady paddling – a little more than three miles but certainly further along the shoreline.

Noticing a couple of paddlers earlier on the lake, I finally caught up with them at the southern tip – a little conversation and waterfall and we were all paddlin once again.

I had a lady once ask me about kayaks, she was considering a ‘tandem‘ for her and her husband – of course my reply was that kayaking was great no matter how they chose.

My personal preference would be with two singles (rather than a two-seater), as paddlers we all have a different pace, ‘easy’ or ‘easier’ and it’s just a matter of each person finding their own paddle rate…..

I have paddled with others, and the independence for one to investigate a cove while the other checks out something completely different helps in covering more territory –  it’s possible to run opposite shorelines and work back together later on – or you can indeed paddle along with each other, in the end you will do it all.

Last year I met two guys paddling the Mississippi River in a tandem kayak, they had been together even attained a puppy over 48 days – I wonder what their thoughts are now….

On this date I was simply taking my own ‘line’ on the lake – that seems to be the case in most that I do.

On Glenville there are some sandy beaches also, always good for a stretch and a cool dip.

You could even buy your own little island (they’ll let you make payments), this was a neat looking island with woods, great beach on the west side and a modest home – unfortunately these signs are becoming too familiar with the present economy, could be an opportunity.

Still plenty of shore to see……

Here in WNC we are really spoiled to the quality of water available to us in our lakes and streams, I look around at the mountains and while being  ‘up’ in elevation wonder where it continues to flow from – simple/random thoughts….

Glenville Spillway

With the afternoon sun beating at me it was time to find the shade of an island and stretch. It was about six and I had been paddlin steady for five hours, no-way I could see the remaining coves – ones which I knew had streams flowing into them.

I could return in the morning, but it was Friday and something about Friday’s makes me want to stay off of the highways and away from traffic (doggone people!), plus its Labor Day weekend.  Guess I’ll return for those West side coves when things quieten down in the fall, look for another post about Glenville.

Unfortunately I needed to head in before dark, the shade across from the landing sure helped the paddle back and ended the day on a positive note.

Glenville

Lake Glenville is not far from Highlands, NC and is a great lake with plenty of room and coves to paddle, of course the fall and spring months are usually the best with fewer boaters. Bear lake is nearby and a nice paddle also.  The foliage is beautiful in October and cool water is perfect for fishing year round.

(yeah, I know – but it was there on this island and so was I…....)

Chatooga River, Sec. II

The waters of the Chatooga River develop near Cashiers, NC before running south along the Georgia/South Carolina border all the way to the Atlantic at Savannah – a contributor to the Savannah River.  In the past years ‘sections’ of the river leading through Lake Tugaloo have been identified which are rated to the safety and skill level of paddler.

SECTION II

Water Clarity – 6 (rain previous day)

Natural Quality – 7

Difficulty – beginner +

Besides constantly passing several of the outfitter businesses, my earliest recollection was the knowledge that the river was the setting for a number of scenes in the movie Deliverance, @ 1970.

On this date a group of neighborhood paddlers from our Lake Cherokee hood gathered to run Section II from Hwy 28 to Earl’s Ford.  It a seven or so mile section with class I, II, (and one III) rapid(s) – the perfect section for many to ‘get their feet wet’ while enjoying the fun and fellowship of casual group paddling.

From the Hwy 28 “Wildlife Viewing” area (a few miles south of Warwoman rd) the portage to the river is a short one, a convenient put-in for all.

The water was up some from the previous days rain which helped us all acclimate a little quicker to the river’s ‘pace;’ it was a comfortable section with an easy roll to it.

It only took a rapid or two before some literally began to get their ‘feet-wet,’ but hey, I’ve learned that it happens more when you are with a group – but not always because of the group.  Anyway, it was our groups consensus that you weren’t having any fun unless you ‘got wet.’

Help and encouragement was always near as the section was a good introduction for many to “strainers” and the under rated force of water.  ‘Strainers’ can hold a paddler in place – and worse.

The morning haze ‘burned off;’ everything seemed right for this ‘neighborhood’ paddle.  While the scenery was great – folks were also interpreting more how to ‘read’ the chutes of the rapids.

and there is a single class-III in the section; more fun than a big deal

It was full of simple challenges, and lots of ‘clean’ fun.

Plenty of time between ‘rapids’ to gather our thoughts, both on the shore…

– or while sitting along an ‘eddy.

– plenty of time also appreciate the many ‘little things’ about the river,

while stopping to watch others scan and navigate the whitewater areas.

Many worked on finding their own particular style

We had put in at 10 am and Section II took a little more than 4 hours to reach Earl’s Ford, the portage out at Earl’s Ford was a little more challenging – a full 1/4 mile uphill.

For each our own reasons we participated – with several rivers scheduled in the coming month I wanted to get my ‘pack’ list in order while putting my logic through some maneuvers.  It was valuable time in experiencing how different kayaks handled in something other than our flatwater neighborhood – lessons learned, wholehearted laughs shared.

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– and everyone crossed the finish line to paddle another day.

(More information; Chatooga Wild and Scenic River)

Some days are good and then some not so good- and then there are the days in-between that you might just have to call ‘a-wash.’

I was making the most of a necessary trip to Blowing Rock, NC – my ‘a’ plan was to get it done early and then follow up on a lake that I found intriguing but off the beaten path, Lake Tahoma.  So I was on the road early approaching ‘the ride’ in the same manner that I ‘boat’ (heading to the farthest end of a lake before working back).  Using only the bac-roads I made fairly good time to Blowing Rock, even with an added a surprise visit along the way to a seldom seen acquaintance.

With business complete I was happy to find an entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway so close to Blowing Rock, – and headed back.

Blowing Rock was windy and the air was ‘thin’ true to it’s name while making the clarity of the mountain day pretty remarkable.  From the Blue-Ridge Parkway the view was relaxing, I soon came across Price Campgrounds and Lake which was not a large body of water – but they had boat rentals and allowed folks with their own boats to paddle the lake for free.  Standing in my shorts and chaco’s and feeling the thin breeze blow across the lake I decided to stick with my plans and head on to Lake Tahoma.

Lake Tahoma

Down Hwy 221 and off the beaten path to the lake I went, soon finding the little lake that I had remembered.  While searching an access point – there were signs everywhere.  It was posted property! unwelcoming with no central point of contact – zipped up tight, again signs everywhere….

Having a home on a private lake myself I figured that I would make contact with a local to ask permission (paddlers are generally harmless) – I drove the circumference of lake to no avail; couldn’t find a soul (Monday).  I suppose in being as close to the Town of Marion, NC they were prepared for locals and minimized those cut-offs and dated bathing suits from using ‘their’ water.  You can make the land and docks private, but I believe that water is a natural right-of-way and should be available to all.

This is when my day became ‘a-wash.’  I had tried to put myself in position for a paddle but things just weren’t looking good.  Oh well, and while kicking myself in the butt for not paddling the lake on the parkway, I moved on.

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Lake James, NC

Water Clarity – 8 (Linville side)

Natural Quality – 7+

Difficulty – easy

Lake James is part of the Catawba River Basin and not too many miles from where my day had taken a turn – but James is a large lake and having less than the best of experiences there while boating years before (car broke into), it was nearing lunch and I didn’t care to paddle something I couldn’t complete in a day – plus I really didn’t care to leave my car unattended at the public landing there –

– calibrated I figured I’d just amble on around James and check out the Linville side – where a number of the older buildings are made of rock from the old river bed.

On the Linville side the water is the best, where a few years ago they filmed the movie  ‘Last of The Mohicans‘ – even constructing a full-size wooden fort with lines of cannons and a burned out ship on the waters-edge.  It is now a paved and very nice boat landing with condo’s where the movie-set fort once stood – wouldn’t work for a movie set now.

As I rode and reminisced of many early boat adventures on these waters I came across Lake James State Park, and even though my day was ‘a-wash’ I figured – Why not go ahead and check it out?

(GPS – @2785 NC-126 Nebo, NC)

Pulling in I noticed other kayakers getting out of the water, that was a good sign and even though it was late for putting in (middle of the day) the put-in was close, free, and my vehicle secure.

– so the logic was to do-it.

Yeah, there were people, but there were also miles of shoreline with a thousand coves to explore – many of which seem to be losing their ‘natural qualities.’

The water clarity was much better than I remembered and even with this lake used heavily by the surrounding communities for recreational purposes, the clarity is right up there – it felt great! and once again made me appreciate how spoiled we are in WNC with our water sources.

With so many miles of shoreline the older areas (where ‘weekenders’ previously camped) are now posted – signs of changing times and private property.  I can’t say that I blame all the landowners because my memories were with the disappointment of campers leaving so much litter.  Since, it appears that conscientious citizens and landowners have tired of cleaning up.  The shores of Lake James did seem a little less encumbered with trash this visit, this was a positive….

I did see signs of fresh water mussels which reminded me of the zebra mussel invasion once feared from the many recreational vessels from ‘outside’ waters, the ones I saw were in dead groups or had been scraped off of boats as they rubbed downed trees along the shoreline.

Overall the greater percentage of property is still natural and uninhabited, it is consistently lined with fallen trees (great for the fish population), along with those living trees destined to the same fate….

It was good paddling the quiet coves, and with a little pondering I settled on just paddling toward the little bridge and marina while exploring, even the cove in which I once sent the ecological balance into a spin – but then that was a story never meant to have been retold (oh crap!).

Thank goodness for such a large ecosystem…………….

There was no way I was going to come anywhere close to completing the best parts of Lake James, being halfway to the Linville side (the most natural part) and on the water for @ 4 hours – it all had passed so quickly – a couple hour drive home remained.

So I took a good swim and returned to the ramp.  While driving the 70 miles home I thought about this day and the moment I had brushed my hands together considering it all ‘a-wash’ – turns out the day wasn’t so bad after all.

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Other places to paddle;