Sometimes it seems that the best way to plan a cruise is to plan as little as possible. After several attempts of our Atlanta Chapter to pull together a large attendance outing, a spur of the moment cruise opportunity recently surfaced. With about a 24 hour notice, a weekday outing was flagged for Tuesday, Oct. 23, 01. Harold Carter, Marvin Koenig, Bill Wilcox and Louis Bondurant all meet at Tugaloo Park on Lake Hartwell, near the Ga/SC state line.
Following a ramp departure around 1PM, Marvin's Scat develops belt problems and he is forced to return. Bill, Harold and Louis push on, with a goal to reach Yonah Dam, some 31 miles upstream. After a few side trips up creeks and a brief period lost on a mud flat, they reach their destination. A good bit of water is flowing through the turbines at the time, providing a good set of rapids for play immediately below the dam.
The return trip doesn't start until close to 4PM, which leaves little time for rest stops much less unplanned pit stops. Other than a couple of breaks for refueling, the return trip goes without problems. Upon return to the ramp, we are greeted by Marvin and several friends who had dropped in from Greenville, SC. After a couple of rides we appear to have yet another group interested in both hovercraft and the club.
Harold Carter, Marvin Koenig, Bill Wilcox and Louis Bondurant all meet at on Lake Hartwell for a spur of the moment cruise.
Unfortunately Marvin's Scat soon develops a belt problem which sidelines him and his craft.
A goal was established to cruise from Tugaloo Park to Yonah Dam (a 31 mile one way trip).
Some 10 or 15 miles from our starting point the lake homes and docks thin out and the land becomes sparsely populated.
Large mud flats open up with pools of standing water. At one point following the river's path became quite a challenge.
Above Highway 123 the flats provide a good place to take a break.
As we approach Yonah Dam the water is crystal clear, shallow and fast moving.
The fast moving water poses no problem for Harold's Starcruiser.
Security personnel were evident at Yonah Dam (possibly due to Sept 11 issue) and seemed to be taken by surprise by our ingress.
With darkness not far away, no time is wasted buzzing through the flats and on to the lowlands.
Not only were able to enjoy great weather, the leaves were changing and we had the lake to ourselves. A trip to hope for.