Lake Murray Cruises Lake Jocasse

Lake Murray Cruises Lake Jocassee

By Lt Donna Dodson, AP

It was the last day of September and a beautiful Friday morning to depart for the upstate and although members left at various times, we all made it safe and sound to Devils Fork State Park.

P/C Jeff Langlois, P towing Just One More had a small issue with a brake that was running hot that pretty much took care of itself but it did earn him the nickname of “Smokin’ Hot” since he was going to have a boat full of girls on Saturday!

When we arrived and inquired about checking in, 9 out of 10 villas were ready and they let us have them at 1:30 p.m. With check in generally being closer to 4 p.m., that was so nice and the Park staff was awesome! So, while some of us settled into our villas and began the festivities, other members launched boats and ventured out on Lake Jocassee for a short afternoon cruise on such a beautiful day!

After the typical evening of grilling, chilling and swilling with members coming and going from Command Central, we called it an evening for our big day of fun and frolicking that was planned for Saturday.

With our fearless cruise leader, P/C David Allen, SN on Meridian Flyer ready to go on Lake Jocassee, not everyone was as willing to brave the windy and cold conditions the morning brought us and opted for the warmth of their villas or the dryness of a hike while the rest of us braved the weather. Fortunately, the wind died down and it turned out to be a comfortable day.

Our merri-time cruise leader took great care of us hugging the shoreline to keep us out of the wind as much as possible and after enjoying a few scenic waterfalls that were mostly just trickles due to the lake being down, we had a nice raft up for lunch. During that time, the Trawick kids of Endure enjoyed a fun ride on Meridian Flyer!

After a great day on the water, the focus quickly turned to the upcoming Carolina and Clemson football games around a buffet of appetizers while waiting on Commander Lee’s specialty of Pork Chop Stew. Mmmm Mmmm, now that will warm you up nicely especially paired with Lt Cyndi Langlois’ delicious cornbread!

It wasn’t long after everyone had their fill, the evening closed, some ending it with a game of Jenga before calling it a day. After checking out on Sunday, some members decided to head back to Columbia while Just One More, Bow’t Time, Leisure Lee and Grady Beast did not want the fun to end and ventured out on Lake Keowee. And what a much nicer day it turned out to be!

Our courageous cruise leader, Lt/C Tommy Clawson, AP lead us around the lake to a beautiful waterfall and then, a fun Tiki Hut at Keowee Marina where we shared tall tales and had a great lunch! It was a nice stopover before heading back to the ramp and pulling out to end the weekend.

It doesn’t get any better than all the plans falling together, no mishaps and everyone arriving home safe and sound after relaxing with such great friends and fellowship!

Click on the thumbnails below to see what fun we had.