Pisgah Bay To Kenlake Marina. Just 13 Miles and Waaayyy too Much Wind!

Pulling up the anchor in the early morning light was just part of our 'normal' leaving procedure. The setting is what makes the procedure special. We really hate to leave these protected, special, quiet places.  The chain was muddy...but a chunky, sandy kind of mud, Waz said. It took a bit of washing off, as I guided the girl down the bay and out towards the entry to the bay.

The fishermen were out good and early, as we pulled anchor. Not far to go, today, so there is no rush.

 Because of the various depths in the bay, especially getting in and OUT of the bay, we followed our line as closely as possible.

 He took over not far down the bay, as the wind was up again. Aieee!! There was a small amount of fog in the morning, and we had been joined by another small motor yacht. We had also been joined by a Houseboat. A large one. They didn't bother us, the night before, but we were aware that our secluded anchorage was now populated!:(

Lots of fishermen zooming around us...some faster than others, and they all make a wake:(


We didn't have much choice, when it came to leaving...you either go, or you don't. The sun was out, the water wasn't white caps, but choppy, nonetheless, but the wind was high and promised to get higher. It wasn't 30 knots, but perhaps 20's. The gusts rattled the canvas top of the fly deck, and we are aware that it stresses the whole structure of the boat too.


Coming up to the first bridge of the day, and on Kentucky Lake, to date, we decided, being so close to the Marina, to check in, if they had room for us. A weather system including Thunder storms was due to pass over us, and we really didn't want to be anchored out in one...again. Remember what happened to us in the Chesapeake? at Solomon's Island?? We do! and it was NOT fun.

 The Kenlake Marina is behind a very sturdy breakwater.

 The Kenlake Hotel is on the top of a hill with a stunning view, we would find out a day later.

 The view back out into Kentucky Lake, from our boat.

 There is a boat ramp over the hill, used by the fishermen. The water hasn't been cold enough for Big Mouth Bass, so far, but they are ever hopeful. Crappy is a popular fish around here, but they catch and eat Catfish as well, among others.

 The large building on back right is the office and a restaurant, which isn't open during the early part of the week....this is now low season, and the summer crowd have all gone home in anticipation of the cold weather.

 It is such a pretty place, and we enjoyed our walks in the park.

 The sky looked ever threatening, but we got about 2 drops of the forecast rain. 

The Kenlake Marina is a Municipal Marina. Not many amenities, but the price was right. We tied up with great difficulty. I am going to go crazy if I have to instruct any more marina employees that you cannot hold a large boat like ours, by a rope held in your bare arms/hands. You HAVE to put the rope around a cleat on the dock and use it as a lever.  The young man who came down the dock to HELP us bring the boat in, when it was being blown out by the strong wind, did not listen and was doing it all wrong. We got rid of him very fast, before he either hurt himself or fell off the dock. People lose their fingers and even hands, doing what he was doing. Bah!

Waz and I struggled with the lines for quite a while, to bring the boat in close enough to tie off. We had to do it by degrees, but finally...and exhaustedly...we tied her off on the dock, and made a cup of tea! It fixes everything! didn't you know?:)

Having arrived late morning, we also had to make some lunch.  Our neighbors on the dock had watched our struggle, and came a little too late to really help...thanks anyway! :)

As usual, we took a short walk...short, because we did a kind of loop that brought us back to the beginning again:) We did find, in the process that there is a boat ramp where all the crazy fishermen launch. I say crazy, because they appear to be rabid! Fishing is 'life'! lol.

A short walk around the rocky beach didn't lead us where we intended, so we came back.  We would take a walk the next day to find what we sought.

 Looking back at the opening to the Marina and Kentucky Lake.

 We watched with some trepidation, the formation of these clouds. The light was fantastic, as only light ahead of thunderstorms can be, around here.

 Persimmon trees with what looks like ornamental fruit, but I am told you can eat them.

 Blue Heron feather.

 How fantastic is this!

The trailers come with the boats...very fly!

 ...and the cloud kept building, towards dusk. We were interested to see what it would eventually do, because by now it was past us, and we were breathing a sigh of relief. We found out that this cloud was eventually responsible for marble sized hail, about 40 miles down river.

 Fishermen hauling their boats in at dusk.

There is a neighbor selling her small houseboat...she is very chatty and obviously lives alone (with two sweet dogs), because she was difficult to get away from...she needed to have a conversation. She indicated that she didn't get to talk to too many people. Sad! We hope she sells the boat and can move on. It can be lonely living on a boat in a marina where all the seasonal visitors have left with the weather change.

We did laundry an hung it out to dry. Lots of chores always, and we got some cleaning done, and I attacked the stainless steel with cleaner. Nice when it shines, as it should.

We had been watching the clouds develop, over the marina and beyond, as we are expecting rain and thunderstorms. We got a few spots (literally) of rain, but bright blue skies stayed, along with the high wind.

The moon riseth!

 

This is what we are trying to avoid. The dark green to the right is just shower activity, but the pale green with the orange and red to the left, is the heavy stuff! You can see the lake in behind the right hand green stuff. We monitor the weather maps pretty closely on days like this.

 We have made the decision to stay two nights.
Of course, when we are docked in a Marina, we have to go and check out the scenery and walk wherever we can in the vicinity.


Our second day I was allowed to sleep in...ok..we have been sleeping in a lot lately:) Good thing, too...those early mornings are never far away!

A walk in the morning is always a good thing. It leaves the afternoon free for other activities.
As usual, Waz checked out the local map online to see where we could walk that wasn't too strenuous. A bit of uphill, but that wouldn't kill us. We were very happy, even though it was hot and humid, to take this walk...though no shoulder, the fishermen who drive these roads were very considerate and didn't run us over:)
We were told not to leave the road as the trails still have Ticks in and around them at this time of year.

 We did go off-road on this path towards the Hotel on the hill overlooking the Lake, however. It isn't in the forest, so no ticks, we were certain.

 These cones aren't as large as they look...about half a hand size.

 These acorns, however, were MUCH smaller than hey looked, and Waz felt we had to give some scale to them. Have never seen such small acorns before.

 As you know, Im a sucker for a bird house:)

 Isn't Mother Nature  wonderful in putting all these fabulous colors together?

 This is called Beauty Bush! Fantastic! The deep purple clusters are most unusual.

Of course we love the grasses. The light is so kind to them and they are very photogenic as a result:)

 Yes! This Hotel is a Storm Shelter...well, acutally, their Kitchen is where it is at...right in the middle of the building downstairs in almost the basement.

we laughed ourselves silly over this incident. WHAT was the captain of this ship THINKING by taking his vessel THROUGH this bridge?

 Read all about it here!!!This is the bridge we came under to get into Kenlake Marina.

As promised, the view from the Kenlake Hotel. The hotel has seen better days, and we ordered a coffee in the dining room to check out the menu, which had been recommended to us...and then felt bad just getting a coffee, so we ordered a piece of Derby Pie to share. Wish we hadn't! Too much sugar.

 It was hotter, walking back, and with the sugar rush (yes, THAT much sugar) we  didn't really feel like any more food ...it was lunch time. A Salad filled that void and to purge the sugar, around 1.30pm.

We are certain we are moving on tomorrow!