Sunday, January 1, 2017

Lake Jocassee Family Overnighter - December 30, 2016

The whole family went on an overnight trip to camp at a spot we recently found off of Horsepasture Road on a peninsula of Lake Jocassee. It is remote and beautiful. 



This was Kate & Mason's first time at Jumping Off Rock. I think they were impressed. No one fell to their death so Jenny & I were happy. The low temperatures and high winds made it a short visit. 



We started on Horsepasture Road at Rocky Bottom and drove out to where Bootlegger Road forks off to the right. Bootlegger ends in a dead end near perfect lake beaches that is ideal for a night or two of camping. I can't wait to come back when it's warm enough to swim! 



There are worse ways to spend your time. 



Kate & Mason made their first mission finding the best beach to swim at this summer. 



One of the best things about overlanding is the food. We made Chicken Pasole from a recipe we found at Publix. It would be good at home but it is just fantastic in the backwoods. These meals beat the freeze dried meals I take on backpacking & bikepacking trips by leagues. 



In the winter the dark and cold comes in fast so we moved inside for games and stories. The kids were excited to try out their new sleeping bags. My two favorite moments...

  • Mason waking up in the dead of night to say, "Mommy... where are we?"
  • Kate waking up early in the morning, "Still warm. Yes!"

Dad duties include getting up early to ignore the cold (29F) to make coffee, bacon, eggs & grits. The lack of breeze was welcomed but it was still too cold for my southern blood. 


One of the rewards for being up and out early...


Panoramic view of a perfect mountain beach. 


We stopped back by Jumping Off Rock on the way out. You should be impressed by my ability to balance the phone for family photos. 


If this shot doesn't give you wanderlust, nothing will. Every time I look out over the mountains like this I want to grab my backpack and start walking. 


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