The Iron Bowl

Today was raining and cold which suited us fine. Todd and I made ourselves comfortable in front of the TV and settled in for a day of football. We enjoyed watching Clemson beat the University of South Carolina. Then it was time for Todd and Bailey to put on their lucky t-shirts and cheer for Alabama in their annual Iron Bowl game with Auburn. We ended the day watching the Oklahoma Sooners claw out a victory over Oklahoma State.

Thanksgiving 2008

We had a very pleasant Thanksgiving. The McCaslin Clan arrived a little after noon and Todd, who ran a 1/2 marathon in Atlanta Thanksgving morning, got to our house around 2:00. We had a tradtional Thanksgiving meal of ham, turkey (which I did on the grill), mash potatoes, dressing, sweet potato soufle, corn, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, waldorf salad, and rolls. Carrie made a dressing salad that everyone said was very good. I was too full to try any and planned on having some as left overs today, but the McCaslins took all the leftover dressing salad home. (Maybe next year.) After dinner, we all watched the Texas/Texas A&M game.

We are truly blessed to have a loving family, good freinds, and good health. Life has been good to us!

Foothills Trail Hike

On the Wednesday morning, November 5, Joyce took me to Table Rock State Park so I could hike the Foothill Trails. I spent the next 3 1/2 days backpacking 44 miles on the Foothills Trail to Bad Creek Access. The changing leaves in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains were at their peak and I enjoyed one fantastic view after another.

Columbus Day Hike

I took advantage of Columbus Day being a federal holiday and decided to take a hike. I headed north of Wahalla and picked up a section of the Foothills Trail. I hiked along the Chattooga River (the river that Deliverance made famous) for about 3.5 miles to a the Big Bend Falls. Along the way, I also took a short spur trail to King's Creek Falls. This hike has to rank as one of my all time favorites. The sound of the rapids along the Chattooga and the changing leaves made this 8 mile hike truly special.

Keisters on Keowee

On Sunday, September 21, the Keisters met on Lake Keowee for an afternoon of fun, eating, swimming, skiing and boating. Rich and Gail Pocock, Robert and Andrea White, and Ron and Carol Link boarded our pontoon boat at Keowee Key chartered a northerly course up Lake Keowee. Eric and Connie Reschke, John and Nancy Kukura, and Kathy LaMorte joined Joyce and Jim Tollus on cruise south from the Cliffs. The Tollus Boat and Tarman Boat met at the predesignated location at the designated time and began setting up lawn chairs and arranging coolers on the dock. Finally, the Rapp boat with Steve and Maryanne Rapp, Jay and Sandy Gaskin, John and Loretta Gunn, and Greg and Susan Meyers arrived from what some of the occupants described as the "grand tour" of Lake Keowee. After shrimp cocktail and drinks, the ladies spread out a feast for fifty. Later, while several took a refreshing swim, Steve took out a group for water skiiing and our boat was selected for a tour of the shoreline of the Reserve. All too soon, it was time to stow all the gear and load our respective boats and call it a day. A great time with good friends.

Return to Miuka Falls

After thinking about it all week and being somewhat perplexed over not finding Secret Falls and the Tamassee Road Trailhead, I woke this morning and decided to return. I drove to the Winding Trail northern trailhead and proceeded to hike the 3.5 trail down to Tamassee Road in an hour. I confirmed my suspicions - I had been at the wrong trailhead. I also learned that the map I had was misleading on the location of Secret Falls. I found it about 2.5 miles into the hike.

With both mysteries solved, I enjoyed my 7-mile, three hour hike that included some bushwhacking along Secret Falls.

Hike to Miuka Falls

I had a nice hike to Miuki Falls in Sumter National Forest today.

My initial plan was to hike the 3.4 mile Winding Stairs trail from the southern trailhead to the northern trailhead at Cherry Hill Recreation Area, and return. In less than a half mile, after passing a couple of trashy areas with fire rings, the trail disappeared at small water fall that I later learned was Crane Falls. I bushwhacked my way another 1/3 of a mile, crossing the creek a couple of times, without success in finding the trail again.

I ultimately drove to the Cherry Hill Recreation Area and started my hike from the north.The trail from the north was easy to follow with a slight incline as it followed along Townes Creek. After about 1 1/2 miles, I took a side trail to the Miuka Falls. Despite the lack of rain, it was a very pretty falls.

There is supposed to be another waterfall further on, but I was unable to locate Secret Falls. I did find a small trickle of water in what I believed to be Crane Creek and suspect in wetter times there may have been a falls, but none was there on this day.

I plan to return in wetter times and try again to locate Secret Falls and the southern part of the trail.

Labor Day Weekend - Rafting, Hiking, New Pontoon Boat

We had a great Labor Day Weekend.

The McCaslins came down on Saturday and we spent the day in the water. Josh and Ally tried their hands at rowing their new rafts; the McCaslins took Bandit (their new puppy), Harley (theier Lab) and Bailey (Todd's Lab) out for a swim; and we ended the day grilling hamburgers.

On Sunday, I hiked the 3.6 mile trail (7.2 miles round trip) to the top of Table Rock Mountain.

On Monday, we bought a new pontoon boat. The McCaslins came back down to the lake and we took a ride to the southern park of the lake. Had lunch at the Tiki Restaurant at the Keowee Marina in Seneca before touring the lower park of the lake.

Afternoon on the Lake with Friends

Joyce and Jim Tollus, Jay and Sandy Gaskin, and Steve and Maryanne Rapp came down to the lake today. After a light lunch at our house, we all boarded the Tollus' boat and had a great time seeing some of the lake before stopping for a swim. The water was a perfect temperature and we spent a couple of leisurely hours visiting in the lake or on the dock.

Celebrating Carrie's Birthday

On Saturday night, August 9, 2008, Carrie, Kent, Joyce, Todd, Nana, and I went to the Melting Pot Restaurant to celebrate Carrie's 31st Birthday. The Melting Pot specializes in fondue. We started with a couple of vaieties of cheese fondues. Our main course consisted of beef, chicken, pork, raviolli, shrimp and lobster. Naturally, dessert was two different chocolate fondues. Everyone enjoyed themselves and all left over fed.

A Pleasant Fourth of July Weekend

We had a very nice 4th of July weekend. On Friday, the 4th and our 38th wedding anniversary, Joyce and I drove up to Highlands in the mountains of Western North Carolina. We spent the afternoon checking out the quaint shops (made a few purchases) before driving out to see some local waterfalls. After dinner at Wolfgang's, we came back to Lake Keowee.

Saturday, I got up early and went to Jones Gap State Park to hike to Rainbow Falls. It was a fairly strenuous 5.2 mile hike, but more that worth the trip. Sunday night, we were invited to dinner by Spinnaker Cove neighbors, Julie and George Lamp. We went out on their pontoon boat. We anchored in a quiet cove for drinks and appetizers. Afterwards, it was back to their house for dinner.

Later today, Todd is stopping on his way back to Columbia after running the Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta. (He and 50,000 other folks made the run.) We have an early afternoon tee time for golf.

Fathers Three on Lake Keowee

This Father's Day, the McCaslins and Todd came to the lake. Joyce and her Mom made sub sandwiches and we went out for lunch on the water. After lunch, we rode around the lake, stopping occasionally for a swim in a cove or on a beach. Later, we grilled steaks for dinner. A very nice day was had by all.

Yellow Branch Falls Hike

On Saturday, May 31, I decided to do a quick hike to Yellow Branch Falls. It is only 16 miles from our house on Lake Keowee to the trailhead. Left home about noon, stopped for a quick bite in at Arby's in Wahalla, and was hiking by 1:00 PM. We had a heavy rain Saturday morning so it was a little humid in the heavy forest along the 1.5 mile hike to the falls. Although I was hiking alone, I was not by myself. Passed about 50 people and saw one large black snake. The falls was nice.

Memorial Day Weekend

Living on a lake has its pluses. Sunday, our good friends Jim and Joyce Tollus and Dan and Kathy LaMorte drop by in the Tollus' boat. We grilled hamburgers and then joined them for a ride on the lake. We had a very nice afternoon riding around the lake and swimming in a cove.

Monday, the McCaslins and Josh's friend, Carson, came for a day on the water. We put the McCaslins' boat in and everyone, except for Joyce, spent the afternoon tubing. Everyone had a great time.

Lee Falls Hike

Took a hike to Lee Falls this morning. The hike was fairly easy for the first mile as I made my way through three fields next to Tamassee Creek. The last quarter mile to the base of the falls was fairly steep and required some rock climbing. Lee Falls is reportedly Oconee County's most scenic and the 75-foot falls did not disappoint.

Mother's Day - 2008

Joyce's sister, Nancy, flew in from California for a week visit . The McCaslins and Todd came down on Saturday so we had a full house Saturday night. We all enjoyed the Mother's Day Brunch at the Keowee Key Club.




Four generations and four mothers. Ally standing in front of Joyce, Carrie, Kathy and Nancy.

Celebrating Todd's 35th Birthday

Todd was 35 years old on April 22. In keeping with family tradition, the birthday boy got to select where he wanted to go eat. Surprise!! Surprise!! Todd opted for Saskatoon, a local favorite for wild game fine dining with a hunting lodge atmosphere that we all thoroughly enjoy. The McCaslins and Tarmans had a variety of meals that included buffalo (Todd and Josh), elk (Mike), salmon (Joyce) , prime rib (kent), chicken (Carrie) to mac & cheese (Ally). Happy 35th, Todd!

Landscaping Finalized

After 5 months at the lake, we decided on our final landscaping plan. The plan was submitted to the property owners association for approval and after what was an inordinate amount of time we obtained their approval. The plan was turned over to Tony "I will be there Saturday" who added some rocks here and there, and placed plants which Joyce purchased in key places to create a yard that only remotely resembles the plan, but one we really like.

Weekend Guest

Josh's baseball team was in a tournament over the weekend so, while the rest of the McCaslins were off to Gastonia NC, we were blessed to have Granddaughter Ally spend the weekend with us. We enjoyed having her; and on Sunday, she, Joyce, and I went for a short hike on the Nature Trail at Duke Power's World of Energy.

Glassy Mountain Hike

Woke to fog covering Lake Keowee and 33 degree temp. By the time I got to Pickens the fog had burned off and, after a stop for egg burritos at McDonalds, arrived at the trail head a little before 8:00 a.m. About 10 minutes into the hike, a wild turkey flew up about 30 feet in front of me. The trail, billed as a 2 mile round trip, was fairly well marked and it was an easy hike to the overlook. The overlook afforded an excellent view of Table Rock and Caesar Head approx 12 miles to the north.

This will be nice hike to take in the spring or summer with the grandchildren.