Post-Family Camping

Family campouts involve family.  But unlike The Fuzz and His Sweetie, most of the family have jobs and other responsibilities.  That is of course why these things are set up for weekends.
Now it was time for them to leave for home and a new week's activities.

This guy must have been planning an escape from the campground by riding out on one of the cars.  He was caught in the act and didn't make it.  But every one did get a good look at him.  The Fuzz likes the color contrast in his portrait.

The Fuzz and His Sweetie, not having jobs to return to, had made arrangements to stay on a few more days on their own.

The Fuzz had discovered that as a "Senior Citizen" he now qualified for a Lifetime fishing license at a very affordable price.  In his youth he had done a good bit of fishing, but it was one of those things that gets dropped as life moves on for us.  But now there was no reason not to have a go at it again.
Since they had been at the lake he had slipped off a few times to "feed the fish" as he put it.  And those guys had eaten up most of his bait.
So the next day, he and His Sweetie slipped out to get some ice, some worms
And…

"Homemade Ice Cream"

The Fuzz found the truck interesting as well having driven a similar one for 20 years or so.  But that is another story for another time.

The ice cream  was good and The Fuzz did manage to replenish his supply of fishing worms.

Early in the morning he got up to attempt a photo of the full moon.
This has been kind of a project for Our Fuzz, and with little success it must be admitted. 
But he hasn't given up yet.

The moon was out and over the lake.
But as can be seen, sorta out of focus.
So he tried a bunch of different things and finally came up with this one.

But he has no idea how!

So now it was time to feed those little fishes again.
The Fuzz got his worms and fish pole, and took off in the kayak.

It is great for getting into those little places that are hard to reach by foot.

While he was there he got a couple of shots of this little fellow.

Here's a view looking back out toward the lake.

With no more bait it was time to paddle back to the camp for a snack and a swim.

And...
The Fuzz is happy to report that he actually did catch some of those fishes-
8 of 'em!

But he did send them back home.
They were happy - The Fuzz was happy!
A good day.  

Family Camping

Besides fresh berries, Summertime is good for campouts.  And recently the family gathered at Jordan Lake for just that purpose.

Since there was a boat involved, sites on the lake were desirable, and reserved ahead of time at the Poplar Point Campground.  If one can put in for one in time, there are campsites available right on the lake shore.

There is a highway nearby but it is easy to forget about that while you are there.

The Fuzz and His Sweetie made it in before dark and set up camp.  Most of the others were already there and supper was waiting.

Then after a time around the campfire it was time for bed.

The Fuzz was up early and while His Sweetie was occupied with her own things he headed down to the lake.

The early sun was starting to hit parts of the shoreline by now.

He was not the only one out there.

Other folks were enjoying a quiet morning on the water.

There was just a touch of mist on the surface of this cove.

It was time to go back to camp for a bit of breakfast.

It's nice having people who are into campfire cooking!

Later The Fuzz got his little kayak out and did a bit of exploring.
He stopped here on shore to take care of some coffee-related personal business.

But he couldn't stay long - the flies were vicious!

The rest of the day was nice, with great weather, and swimming to cool off.

Then it was evening again.

The sun was going down across the lake.

The Fuzz couldn't resist a last shot of the sun shining through this tent.

Then after some time at the campfire, the Fuzz slipped off to bed.

1st Broad River Trail

Gotta backtrack just a bit for this one.

The Fuzz had been watching this area lately crossing the river on trips into town.  Then he saw in a local publication that it was a new walking/biking trail along the river.  So he suggested to His Sweetie that they check it out.

They didn't realize that they had picked the day of the "Grand Opening" but that turned out not to matter since they got there early, ahead of the crowd.

It turned out that it was pretty nice.

This trail follows a stretch of the 1st Broad River and will be part of the Carolina Thread Trail when finished.  But for now it's just a nice place to walk.

In a previous post we talked about Falls Park and their fancy suspension bridge.

Well our local folks have our own version of that!

Maybe not quite as elaborate, but cool just the same.

There are some nice views overlooking the river.

And a few places to get down to it as well.

The trail passes under highway 74...

And continues on for a bit more.

But, as was mentioned, is unfinished.

Here's a lady enjoying it this morning.

The Fuzz's Sweetie was so impressed that she wanted to come back and do a bit of painting there some morning.

So they went back a couple days later.

Now what had The Fuzz's interest, was the Kayak & Canoe access, being a bit of a puddleduck himself.

Admittedly, it's nothing fancy, but we're not talking about blue water cruisers here anyway.

And since the river was high enough, he brought his little kayak along.

First he made his way upstream a bit toward this dam.

It's for the local water plant.

Now that he was confident that he could make progress against the current, he headed downstream, along the trail.

Toward the abandoned Southern Railroad Trestle;

And on, under the Grover St bridge, new suspension footbridge and Seaboard RR Trestle.

He stopped for a bit where this stream flows over the rocks and into the river.

Of course things look different from down in the river.

Under the Seaboard Trestle.

Tree roots in the riverbank.

The Fuzz stopped just above these rapids.  He figured it was time to go back and meet up with His Sweetie.  Maybe next time...

Then off for a bit of lunch.

They both enjoyed the morning so much that there are already plans to go back!

And Another Thing...

And...

there was a quick trip to the river.

Here's a rare pix of The Infamous Fuzz pulling his Kayakart* along the river trail.

Being the end of summer, and school about to start back, they had the place to themselves.

And one more rare pix of The Fuzz.

See, he did make it into the river after all.

*See the Kayakart Here!

Kayak Kart 2

And now, The Fuzz introduces the

Kayakart!

 About a year ago*, The Fuzz mentioned a project he was working on at the time.  Well the Kayakart is finally finished.

With the

 Hot 

weather we're having, The Fuzz and His Sweetie went over to the river today.  It was the first test of the new Kayakart.

 It did just fine.

*You can see how long it takes to get anything done around here!

Tuesday Morning

The Fuzz and His Sweetie are enjoying the time at the beach with family and friends.  He watched this sailboat beating up the sound the other day, and couldn't resist a pix.  It didn't come out all that well, but he used it for a Photoshop Opportunity.
The Fuzz had a fine morning.  He took his Kayak down to the end of the island in the early morning.  There were not many other folks out yet, so it was pretty quiet.  The seabirds were out, and having a bit of breakfast.  They would drop out of the air, and come up with little fish in their beaks.  It was fun to watch.
Then he rode the tide back up the sound to the house and a nice cup of coffee.