Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Kayaking Lake Nottely with Bill and Nancy

 

Blairsville, Georgia (High 89, low 68)

We have had some rain the past few days, but fortunately it didn’t ruin our kayaking plans.  Unfortunately, the temperatures this week are going to be pretty warm and even a prediction of 90 degrees one day.   We haven’t seen that high of temperature since we’ve been here. I hope the heat wave doesn’t last long.  Fortunately, we’re still having cool nights and we can open our windows overnight and enjoy cool mornings.

The weather forecast yesterday was a little iffy with  brief showers popping up here and there.  There was nothing severe and no lightning around.   We debated back and forth with Bill and Nancy, but we finally decided to drive out to Lake Nottely and if it was raining, we could at least see the pretty lake.

When we got there, it looked fine, so we inflated our kayaks and carried them down the steep embankment to the lake.  We launched by the swimming area, so there was some sand, but at the water line, we ended up in mucky red clay.

 

beach Kayaking Lake Nottely

Lake Nottely is a beautiful mountain lake formed by another of the TVA built dams.  This dam is no where near as pretty as the Hiawassee Dam in nearby Murphy, NC.   If you missed that post, you can see it HERE.

The lake as just as pretty though, with the same deep turquoise and green colors.

With the exception of the beach area, the rest of the shorelines were very rocky.   Red clay and rocks.

Kayaking Lake Nottely

I discovered some unusual pink rocks.  Al missed them and I’m not sure if Bill and Nancy saw them either as they were in a different area when I spotted them.

pink rocks at Kayaking Lake Nottely

There were a lot of pretty islands to explore. 

Kayaking Lake Nottely

There are not shortage of rocks in north Georgia.

Kayaking Lake Nottely

Bill and Nancy

Bill and Nancy Kayaking Lake Nottely

I thought this tree looked interesting with the mountains in the background.

Kayaking Lake Nottely

Love the pretty clouds.

Kayaking Lake Nottely

 

Kayaking Lake Nottely

One minute it was cloudy, and the next it was sunny.

 

Kayaking Lake Nottely

 

Kayaking Lake Nottely

 

 

IMG_7131

dueling photographers

Kayaking Lake Nottely

Bill and Nancy Kayaking Lake Nottely

 

Nancy really knows how to relax!  I had to laugh when she would tell Bill  “take me over there.”   It would be so much easier to take pictures if you had a chauffeur.    (hear that Al)

Bill and Nancy Kayaking Lake Nottely

There were some beautiful homes along the lake.

Kayaking Lake Nottely

This was a nice boathouse for the pontoon.  That is part of the dam in the background.

boathouse with damn in background

Kayaking Lake Nottely

interesting trim around the deck.

Kayaking Lake Nottely

Love the blue sky and white puffy clouds

Bill and Nancy Kayaking Lake Nottely

 

Kayaking Lake Nottely

There were a few boats pulling skiers, but overall the boat traffic was light.  I’m sure that would be different on the week-end. 

The water was amazingly warm.  I’m guessing it might have been 85 degrees….at least on the surface.   I could have actually gotten in and I don’t get in cold water.

 

The lake was very pretty and the scenery was amazing, but it confirmed to Al and I that we aren’t really lake people.   We very much prefer kayaking in the ocean or rivers, because there is more to see.

We might take the kayaks out again to see the fall foliage, but then again, it might be too chilly by then.   :)

12 comments:

  1. Nancy and Bill are good folks to hang out with aren't they? What a nice day you had. Beautiful area.

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  2. Looks like you had a beautiful day to have fun with two of my favorite people! It's hard to keep up with those two. I love their positive attitude towards life. It's contagious!
    Syl

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  3. Beautiful day and lots of gorgeous pictures.

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  4. I bet there was a lot of laughter during your paddle. Bill and Nancy are so much fun to be with. Nice that you've been able to spend time with them.

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  5. Looks like that lake is a little low too. Lake Thurmond is 2 feel low now too.

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    1. Yeah, all the lakes and rivers are a little low compared to last year.

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  6. Love your header photo. Nancy learned her paddling technique at the Linda Payne school of Sea Eagle paddling. That's how I paddle when we get our sea eagle in the water but usually I have to paddle my own hard sided. So glad you 4 got out on the water even if it was only a lake. I prefer rivers too but my kayak is too short for the ocean. Say HI to two of our favorite people for us. From your comments it looks like they have a fan club. :-)

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  7. Love the color of the lake!

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  8. Thanks for a nice afternoon on the lake. It was really a pretty lake, but like you, we prefer smaller bodies of water and rivers. Still so glad to get to see the beautiful water and mountains from a different perspective!!!

    I hope to get my photos posted in a week or two;o))

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  9. Replies
    1. We didn't see any but I understand there are are different types of bass, crappie, and carp. The trout are found in the rivers.

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  10. You are enjoying the weather and taking lots of great photos.

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