Last Saturday while exploring the Tugaloo Corridor, we turned off Lake Harwell and paddled up Longnose Creek to an opening where we had lunch by the absolutely wonderful waterfall. There is something about the light along these small waterways that is very inviting. I didn’t adjust this photo very much—if any. This is life at this moment—as the camera saw it.
Some of those with us couldn’t resist getting back in their canoes and paddling as close as possible to Longnose Creek Falls.
The area near it was an old homestead complete with the remnants of a family’s fireplace.
Another photo of Kelly as he stopped long enough to talk about the Cherokee Indians and the villages that once dotted this area.
This and a couple pillars like it are all that remains of a covered bridge that once spanned the Tugaloo River.
The last place we stopped was in the middle of the lake at the Indian burial mound that is protected by the Corps of Engineers. A quick note on Lake Hartwell: it is one of the most visited Corps lake in the nation. “It is a man-made lake bordering Georgia and South Carolina on the Savannah, Tugaloo, and Seneca Rivers. The lake is created by Hartwell Dam located on the Savannah River seven miles below the point at which the Tugaloo and Seneca Rivers join to form the Savannah. Extending 49 miles up the Tugaloo and 45 miles up the Seneca at normal pool elevation, Hartwell Lake comprises nearly 56,000 acres of water with a shoreline of 962 miles.” Kelly continued to tell us about the area and the Indians, who once lived here.
And finally Kelly took this photo once we were all back on land and after the guys had conceded that they would have to find the famous “Dripping Rock” on another day! Evidently it is a rock with a fresh water spring running near it. Some of the members of our group said they had seen and even drunk water from the spring when they were young.
You guys look like you were having a good time are your arms sore?
D—
I’m not sore! Amazing isn’t it. I got up the next morning and thought: “I could do this again!” I have no idea why we were not dragging but miracles do happen. Now, I have a student who wants to sell me a kayak!. . . (smile)
ARE YOU REALLY AND TRULY GOING TO USE IT???
The photos are all so beautiful and it’s hard to pick a favorite. Kelly was talking about doing another one this year with a camp out along the river.
Steve,
Thank you. Don’t know if I can do the overnight thing but certainly would like to go back down the river. I need to “test drive” one of the college’s kayaks.
I want to go find the falls. Could you give me some more information about its location? And would this Kelly person be willing to have a couple of strays on her overnighter? My husband and I are interested in going.
Teresa,
I will pass your request on to Kelly. I think he is planning to take a group out on the Tugaloo River in late August.
We paddled up the creek as far as possible; however, the water levels are down and we had to walk the last half. Kelly might want to check the levels before he starts on his overnighter. If we hadn’t known the falls were there we would have turned around and missed them.
The pictures of the falls are beautiful not only in sight to me but in heart as well. I had to write and tell you that my family’s history is painted all over them :). The chimney in the picture actually belongs to the house where my great grandfather and his family lived for a time. The mill that once stood across the way at the bottom of the falls he ran when my Dad was a very young little boy. My great-grandmother’s “wash place” was just up the trail to the left of the falls. I’ve heard many wonderful familial stories about “The Old Fountain Mill”, as we lovingly call it. Many years ago I hiked there with my brother and father and made a video so our children could one day see and hear the stories that had been shared with us. What a treat to find folks still enjoying the beauty and serenity of “our old home place” :). Loved revisiting fond memories through your pictures……
I am going to try this trip soon! Can you give me some more details about the location of the bridge and burial grounds / how to get to these from the water fall!