Devils Fork State Park

This past Easter weekend we decided to go camping with our friends Michell & Kelly. As you know I have been so restless at having the chance to go hiking, camping and paddling! The weather is finally better for more outdoor fun and Eric's ankle is almost at 100%....so we were ready!!

We had plans to go to Devils Fork State Park to camp and paddle on Lake Jocassee for some time. Eric and I both had Friday off so we were planning on heading out Friday morning for the lake. Unfortunately the weather kept changing from good to bad to good and so on. We were pretty much set to just leave on Saturday morning because we did not want to get rained on when we decided to risk it. We packed up the car, loaded the canoe and were at the lake by 1:30.

Once we got to the lake we unloaded the car and got everything situated into the canoe for our paddle to the campsite. I like this Park because the campsite is boat access only so there aren't too many people around. Friday afternoon the lake was completely fogged out. We could barely see the shoreline at some points in the afternoon but we didn't get rained on during the day. Eric and I just hung around the campsite Friday afternoon, walking around and spending some time reading. We didn't get rained on until the middle of the night, but we were in our tent and didn't get wet at all.

On Saturday morning we headed back to the boat launch to meet up with Michelle & Kelly. It was still foggy Saturday morning but was getting warmer throughout the morning. After they got settled at camp we walked around a bit, had lunch and then decided to check out some waterfalls that are on the lake. Unfortunately, we had no idea where we were going and we didn't find the waterfalls. Fortunately, the fog cleared out and it turned into a beautiful day that we didn't care too much. This lake is very beautiful! The water is so clear it almost looks like Caribbean ocean water.

Kelly likes to make goofy faces....it keeps us entertained.

After our paddle we headed back to camp. We spent some time hanging out in our hammocks before getting our fire going to cook dinner. we made hot dogs, corn on the cob, and of course smores. It was a delicious meal!

Sunday morning came and after breakfast we headed out onto the lake again in search of the waterfalls. This time we found it (with the help from another camper on the lake)! These falls were beautiful! Water cascading down from big boulders....it was well worth the paddle! We had lunch at the falls and enjoyed the rushing water before heading back to camp.

Heading back to camp from the falls was a little tough. The wind was picking up, causing some resistance in paddling against the wind. I am pretty sure it took us a little longer on the way back. Once we got back to camp we all jumped in the water....which by the way was very cold....to cool off from our hard paddle.

The cove our campsite was on.

Since the wind was picking up we decided to pack up camp and head back to our cars. When we were ready to head out we noticed that there were whitecaps on the lake. Yikes! This is no fun for paddlers. It seemed to take forever for us to paddle across the lake. Eric and I struggled against the wind the whole time and waves were close to crashing up over the front of our canoe. I don't know how Michelle & Kelly made it in their kayaks. But we made it back safe and sound...maybe a little wet.

All in all it was a great trip! We paddled around 17 miles (a lot more difficult than paddling down river :). We might just have to make it back here before we move!