Lake Wateree Storms

I know that on Friday I usually post a farm photo. But this week I am skipping farm photos to bring you Lake Wateree, SC.

For our first boat ride, we had to find a place that sold bulbs for the boat. We couldn’t get the light that sticks out on top of the boat to work. Well, it worked intermittant at best.

This is not good if you are out on the lake at night.

The campground tackle shop didn’t have any.

Neither did the nearest marine/convience store.

But they told us about a marine shop about an hour away by boat, that might have the bulb we needed.

When we left, the sun was shining with big fluffly clouds in the sky.

Off we went, enjoying the scenery. When we arrived at our destination, we found they were closed on Tuesdays.

So we headed back.

The sky began to darken.

The wind began to blow.

The air became cooler.

The water began to get choppy.

And we were headed straight into a storm.

Luckily, as we came to the main channel of the lake, we made a right turn toward the campground and away from the storm.

We made it to the campground, docked the boat, tied it down tight and prepared for a storm.

We didn’t get a drop of rain. The storm did not make a turn to the left in the direction we were going.

And the next day, my Mother-in-law and I drove 16 miles to the Walmartz and bought the bulb we needed and a few extra just in case.

It’s amazing how fast a storm can come upon you on the water and how much more dramatic it looks from the water.

Our friends next door weren’t so lucky the next night.

They got caught in a storm that threatened to capsize their fishing boat, about a mile from the campground.

They made it to shore and rode out the storm along the banks of the lake.

Farm photos will resume next week.

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What It’s About

We are home now, but we all could have volunteered to stay another week. But there are too many things at home needing attention. And critters needing tending to that were happy to see us return. I missed them, too.

We enjoy the family time we spend together without tv’s and computers.

Camping for us is about bike riding together……

Fishing…..

Swimming and boating…..

Lots of citronella……

Dog tie outs……

And dogs…..

Bath houses…..

Picnic tables……

And curious little critters….

But most of all it’s about spending time with friends and family.

The Captain and Boo have begun to knock out their to do list.

And I am doing the wash and cleaning out the camper.

I could get it ready for winter…….

Who knows…..maybe we’ll get to go again before the summer is over.

Lake Wateree

Most every summer, we go camping at Lake Wateree State Park.

Lake Wateree, SC.

And, usually, several times each year.

It’s not a far trip, so it’s more affordable. Which makes it possible to go more than once. It’s an out of the way place. The nearest grocery store is 12 miles away. So when we go, it’s necessary to bring all the supplies with us. Except for a few necessities that are available at the campground store. Like, ice or fishing bait.

We take our boat, the family and the dogs. Yes, the dogs get to go on vacation, too. They get all excited when they see us hauling provisions out to the camper.

The smells at a campground are relaxing to me. As are the sounds.

I am usually up before the rest of the crew and campground. So I get to enjoy an uninterrupted walk around the campground. I enjoy searching for things unnoticed by most and the things the other campers put on display around their campsite.

By the time I’ve finished my walk the air is filled with the aroma of coffee brewing and bacon frying. The kids riding their bikes or skateboards. Birds talking, telling each other where the good food has been abandoned. Squirrels scurrying about, scouting for treats.

Occasionally, you can get a brave hearted squirrel to take a peanut from your hand. Patience and diligence are a must for this task. I like to keep an eye on them to find out where they bury their treats.

Just after lunchtime, the campground is all but abandoned. Everyone is out enjoying a leisurely boat ride, skiing, tubing, swimming…

Around supper time, one by one the people are returning to their campers, tents and motorhomes to shower and prepare the evening meal.

Then the aroma of camp fires, fish frying, hot dogs roasting and burgers grilling fills the air.

The kids anxiously await dessert, in hopes that marshmallows, for roasting, have found their way into the camping supplies. Along with chocolate and graham crackers.

After dinner, the kids will find something of interest to explore, the adults grab their chairs and circle around the campfire for adult chats, while enjoying the popping and crackling sounds of the campfire.

The evening is when everyone settles down and relaxes. Some play cards, some play horseshoes, pass a football, play croquet, bike ride or just relax around the campfire.

But one thing is for certain, they are all enjoying the company of friends and family.

The kids make new friends, in hopes they will return next year to find the same new friend has returned also.

Normally, we will take a long weekend here at Lake Wateree. A couple of years ago, we stayed for 9 days. We had plenty of swimming, tubing and fishing under our belt. This year only 7 days.

I’m still working on those pictures, so stay tuned.