Johnny Knoxville
Seaman Apprentice
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2011
- Messages
- 30
The northeast corner of east Tennessee offer some really nice exploration opportunities. Lake Watauga (TVA Resevoir) is one of many. Nearby is South Holston, and not too far off is one of my favorites, Lake Fontana. We have remote Island camped on Fontana on three different occassions.
This year we didn't have enough time for Fontana, nor did we have the time to put all the gear together, venture up the Lake set up camp and then have some fun. That turned out ok, because the weather just prior to Memorial Day weekend didn't cooperate with rain on and off for three days. Fortunately no lightening so although we got wet a couple times, it didn't dampen our spirits or opportunity to cover most all of the 18 plus miles and the many covers and tributaries that feed Watauga over the course of three days. Watauga is bounded on the north side by the Cherokee National Forest. That's the good news as you can camp anywhere. The bad news, the mountains are angular all the way to the water. Things are quiet on this lake during the week. On weekends skiers, fisherfolks and tooners abound, from TN to bordering NC.
There is good tent camping on the west end of the Lake but again, we didn't feel like messing about in tents.
My boating partner, brother-in-law Earl was headed from FL to MI to take his motorhome north for the summer. We decided we would rough it easy.
Earl has an 8.5 foot Achilles with an 8hp Johnson and I have a 10.5 foot with a 5 hp Mercury. Both are LSI air floor configurations. These rigs are ideal for the relative calm of these inland resevoirs and although we have had them on the rollers of the Atlantic Ocean.
Taking a rain break in an empty slip on day two.
The 42 foot motorhome provided unmatched comforts. We took advantage of the sound system and blender. Hot showers were a real luxury.
The nasty weather provided some nice cloud formations and interesting boating back drops. We did get occassional breaks when the sun poked through.
There are at least 4 marinas on the Lake so fuel is not an issue. In addition a couple of the marinas have small grills. Mallard Cove in particular turned out a mean double burger named after the resident Great Dane due its massive size.
This year we didn't have enough time for Fontana, nor did we have the time to put all the gear together, venture up the Lake set up camp and then have some fun. That turned out ok, because the weather just prior to Memorial Day weekend didn't cooperate with rain on and off for three days. Fortunately no lightening so although we got wet a couple times, it didn't dampen our spirits or opportunity to cover most all of the 18 plus miles and the many covers and tributaries that feed Watauga over the course of three days. Watauga is bounded on the north side by the Cherokee National Forest. That's the good news as you can camp anywhere. The bad news, the mountains are angular all the way to the water. Things are quiet on this lake during the week. On weekends skiers, fisherfolks and tooners abound, from TN to bordering NC.
There is good tent camping on the west end of the Lake but again, we didn't feel like messing about in tents.
My boating partner, brother-in-law Earl was headed from FL to MI to take his motorhome north for the summer. We decided we would rough it easy.
Earl has an 8.5 foot Achilles with an 8hp Johnson and I have a 10.5 foot with a 5 hp Mercury. Both are LSI air floor configurations. These rigs are ideal for the relative calm of these inland resevoirs and although we have had them on the rollers of the Atlantic Ocean.
Taking a rain break in an empty slip on day two.
The 42 foot motorhome provided unmatched comforts. We took advantage of the sound system and blender. Hot showers were a real luxury.
The nasty weather provided some nice cloud formations and interesting boating back drops. We did get occassional breaks when the sun poked through.
There are at least 4 marinas on the Lake so fuel is not an issue. In addition a couple of the marinas have small grills. Mallard Cove in particular turned out a mean double burger named after the resident Great Dane due its massive size.
It has giant slides on both sides instead of individual slides in the various locations. Yes, there is some great SIBing in East TN.