Journal: four days by the lake, Piney Creek Wilderness, July 2021 — It’s been a while, and now it’s time for my summer trip for R&R by Table Rock Lake at Piney Creek Wilderness. Fortunately, the lake is not flooding (excessively), and the hike in was not quite as fraught — no wading required. Journal: 5 45
Day Four – End of hike selfie – All in all, a brilliant trip, with lots of journaling, swimming and relaxing watching the lake. You can’t beat that. One-minute read
Bath time – After crossing ‘Cat Briar Meadows,’ I was hot, sweaty, and dirty. I stopped here for half an hour, filled up with water, and then had a quick bath in this pool. Let’s just say it was invigorating (flipping chilly).
The trail is starting to get overgrown – All through these (and the following) overgrown sections of trail I talk to the snakes, “Hello snaky, snaky, snakes, just passing through, don’t mind me.” at the same time I’m probing the trail ahead with my hiking poles to make sure any somnolent snakes wake up before I tread on them. +1
This is going to get messy. The lake has dropped six to eight inches, but it’s still covering the trail. +1
The trail here was covered with water when I hiked in. +2
Time to say goodbye to my lakeside haven. Campfire and table – all tidy, ready for the next person.
Lifting mist at Piney Creek – Complete with a heron.
Misty Morning at Piney Creek. It was worth all the heat and bug bites just for the magical few minutes watching the mist evaporate. +2
Mist on Table Rock Lake.
Through the veil – looking across the lake, the mist was lifting.
Day Four – Misty campsite – I’m used to seeing fog and mist on the lake here, but today’s mist was extra thick. So thick that at first I couldn’t see across the lake. +1
Day Three – Feet up, enjoying the Campfire. +1
Late-night visitor – who is this then? 3
View from the lake.
Air dry.
Fun and frolics at the lake – The lake was warm, almost bath temperature. I didn’t bother to count how many times I took a dip. It was a lot. Slideshow: +5
Journaling – I did a lot of thinking and scribbling. Unfortunately, I came away with a lot more questions than answers. 2
Enjoying the view – between interludes of journaling and swimming. I even completed some camp chores.
Day Three – Morning coffee
Breakfast – Biscuits and gravy and a cup of coffee.
Day Two Campfire.
Day Two – Piney Creek lakeside vistas. I never tire of the play of light on the trees here. +2
It’s good to be back – Camped in Piney Creek Wilderness. I was last here on a day hike with Katie and Lanie back in April. It’s good to be back and I’m planning on staying for three nights in a repeat of my visit over Independence Day Weekend last year. One-minute read, +2