Lake Santeetlah Trip Report

“Last weekend I went on my first kayaking/camping trip. It was the first time to get my new kayak out. I was anxious but nervous at the same time. I was meeting a group of people who paddle a lot so I was the newbie in the group.

I left Nashville at 4:00 Am Friday morning. I was headed towards the western part of NC. The lake was close to Robbinsville, NC.
I stopped about every hour to check on my kayak tied to the top of my Jeep.
I was making good time until I came to the last 11 or so miles. This section of HWY 129 is called The Tail of the Dragon. It has 318 curves in 11 miles. Needless to say you don't go fast unless your on a motorcycle and they do fly on that road.

Around 12:00 everyone showed up that was meeting that day. We put our kayaks in the water and headed out to an island we were going to camp at. This lake has lots of good campsites scattered all around. The trip to the island was about 3.5-4 miles. We took our time as most people were loaded down with all kinds of camping gear,coolers, chairs, etc.
Once we got to the island we decided to take over 2 more campsites as the island wouldn't hold all of us. we got our kayaks unloaded and setup camp. Once we got that all finished we headed out for another paddle. The water was cool, the mountains were full of color and it was a pretty day. we ended up paddling another 7 miles. We headed back to the campsites and got ready for that evenings dinner.
Everyone brought a meat and veggies so we could make kabobs. We had so much food that we had to cook in shifts and we still had food left over. We all sat around full of food, drinking and telling stories. We were going to go for a night paddle but that never happened.
The next morning I got up and fixed bacon and eggs. Tim who camped at the site with me was breaking out his coffee press when he realized he left his screen at home. Luckily I had brought my perculator. Nothing like eating breakfast and drinking lots of coffee while looking out over the mountians with all the colors glowing in the sunshine.
After breakfast we headed back to the boat ramp to meet somemore kayakers. When we got there those folks were just about ready to go. Smokygirl was there with her kayak. I got a good hug from her :).
As we were heading back some of us decided to go to the marina to see if we could get somemore beer. Sigh they didn't sell any there so we got some cokes and junk food..lol

Once we got back to camp we all headed out for another paddle. It looked so cool to see about 22 kayaks out on the water.

That night we had a pioneer dinner. everyone brought something to wrap in foil and cook on the coals. the food got tossed around so much that people lost site of their dinner. We ended up pouring all the food out on the picnic table and just eating from the pile. That night we all sat around eating and drinking. It started to rain and that ran a few people off.
as the party wound down a few decided they wanted to have kayak races around the island. I am not sure how Smokygirl did on the race.
later that eveing we headed back to our campsites. tim had his hammock tied up between 2 trees. Eventually Tim, Mindy, Smokygirl and myself all piled into the hammock. The webbing was creaking and cracking but it held up until Tim decided to raise the hammock up one notch. Well needless to say it didn't work, As soon as all of us piled in the webbing broke and down we came...lol, luckliy no one was hurt except for a brusie or two.
the next morning I got up fixed pancakes and coffee. this is where smokygirl made me feel old as she didn't know what a percualtor was. She freaked when she saw the coffee coming up through the spout. she thought it was going to explode on her...lol.
After breakfast we headed out for one last paddle before we tore down the camp. It was another great day on the lake, blue skies and colored mountains.

I had a great time on this trip and it is close enough that maybe we can get a TT kayaking trip together for all the folks who live close by and anyone else who wants to come down.

Sorry for making this so long. I wish the pictures had turned out better but you have to take then with the camera you have.

Lake Santeetlah Pictures”

“Ewker, you got some great shots there! It looks like you had an awesome time - and - as usual - you're with the ladies. :)

I've got to get a yak!”

“How'd you like the drive over 129 from Maryville to the Lake?

Did you know that the dam on the NC side (Cheoah Dam) was used in "The Fugitive" - its the dam that Harrison Ford jumped from.”

“the drive was slow but nice. It boost the most turns 318 in 11 miles. Coming back Sunday the motorcycles idiots were out weaving in and out of cars to get past them, then speeding up. I dang near ran over 2 who jumped in between me and the car in front of me.

I want to go back there again. get yourself a yak, Roam”

“i've seen several bikes piled up on the rocks, down in the gullies and one or two that were BURNED on that road - along with a couple of bleeding riders.

I've also driven that road from "dam to dam" in under 30 minutes! It was at night though and you could see the headlights coming through the curves.

Its a fun road.”

“good tr, ewker. but they sold no beer?? ack!!

i'll have to check out the pics later!”

“Cool trip.

Funny thing is that some friends of mine were up there on their bikes driving the dragon that weekend.”

“no beer is sold in Graham County - next time stock up in TN.”

“Roam, we had plenty for Friday night. Some folks just wanted more for Sat night =)

actually there is a place that sells it 9 miles from the marina store but no one wanted to drive and get it”

“I'm building a tandem yak. I hit an engineering/construction snag, but this thread has given me the incentive to overcome such trivial tribulations - I'm gonna get it done before the Nor'easters commence to slammin' the powdery shores of Cumberland, by God!

Way to go, Ewk. Sounds like y'all had some gooooood times! My first hike with Belle was at Kilmer/Slickrock. Nice area.”

“I just did a quick (and first) perusal of a few kayak building websites. Turns out I'm quite on track with my craft. I want a boat that's exclusively of my own immagination and skillz, yet there are certain constants that are unavoidable, ie, hull design, finish materials, etc.


I'll have her (The Cumberland Belle?) strapped atop The Mighty Mighty Tacoma before you can mutter "ahoy, ye scurvy dogs!".”

“_{ahoy, ye scurvy dogs}

Done yet?”

“Ah ah ah!
That was VERRY FUNNY that I did not member to laff...
/o:3”

“I'm up for that TT Kayak Trip Ewker...or, if that takes to long for a smaller group sooner than later...say, how about the Land between the Lakes hike..we could follow along the shore...or sumthin...”

“ST, I would like to get back out on the water soon. Dale Hollow is an awesome lake to paddle. You do have to reserve campsites though. LBL, would be good to.

one of the guys had a yak like walkindude's on this trip so maybe we could talk him into coming.”

“Nice TR and photos with my morning coffee, wish I could transport myself there.”

“NIce pics, Ewker! I wish I was there right now.. especially right now!”

“Hey Smokygirl, its time for this trip again. It will be Oct 21,22 and 23rd.
I sent you the info about it, hope you go.
Tim wants to race with you again ;)”