Well first off I want to say it was a pleasure speaking with Brian tonight as I placed an order for an UltraCat (McCat Ultra) in SpinnUL...Nice of a manufacturer to actually call a customer and discuss the product!
I've been perfectly satisfied with a McCat Standard and a McCat Deluxe for years and the miles and stories each could tell would go on into the night.
I've been studying adding a tarp, am currently waiting for a cuben from MLD, but something keeps drawing me back to OES.
It should be here sometime next week depending on the mood of the delivery service but the UltraCat will begin its stories next weekend either on the AT or on Lake Jocassee (haven't decided yet).
Thanks again Brian and remember I knew you when :)

Sounds good. I'm also waiting delivery of a OES tarp. Ordered a big one, 14x10:thumbup1:

Roadtorque, your tarp is on the chopping block tomorrow along with a few others! Looking forward to a nice custom job to change it up a bit :)

Hey Medicineman,
I just got back from spending the day at Lake Jocassee. It is beautiful.
The wife and I and our new pup, boated into the cove at Laurel Fork Falls and took a picnic lunch up to the campsites at the top of the falls.
I took my Hennessy and a Travel Hammock and we just chilled there for a while.
We have been under drought conditions here for two years but have been blessed this spring with ample rainfall.

Here was the cove the falls dumps into in 2007
http://http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o102/singintheblue/LaurelForkFalls_2007.jpg
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o102/singintheblue/LaurelForkFalls_2009.jpg)

and now.
http://http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o102/singintheblue/LaurelForkFalls_2009.jpg
(http://http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o102/singintheblue/LaurelForkFalls_2009.jpg)

Here is the boat ramp last July
http://http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o102/singintheblue/Jocassee_2008.jpg
(http://http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o102/singintheblue/LaurelForkFalls_2009.jpg)

and now
http://http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o102/singintheblue/Jocassee_2009.jpg

Watch out for this guy.
http://http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o102/singintheblue/Copperhead.jpg

This copperhead was at the end of the trail, coming down from the falls, just a few feet from the water. I had already walked past him when the pup saw him and froze. :scared:The wife had him on a leash, but it was exciting for a few seconds.
Got a picture though.

BTW,
Temps were very nice, much better than I would have expected for July

cool pics, I cant believe the change in the lake level. I'm no snake expert but I dont think that is a copperhead, anyone know for sure?

I've been to Jocassee many times, when you can paddle behind the waterfall and when you have to hike to it over barren ground. Even done a section of the Foothills trail near Oconee State Park. That entire area is indeed special...but tell me this...the backcountry camping site across from Devils Fork Campground---is that the only 'legit' place to camp away from the official state park? which is also to ask can you stealth it about anywhere?
Thanks again for the incredible pics!
Here is a pic of my oldest paddling behind the waterfall on Jocassee:
http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2209947280084634827ZhDHeP

cool pics, I cant believe the change in the lake level. I'm no snake expert but I dont think that is a copperhead, anyone know for sure?

I don't know exactly what it is but I don't think it is a copperhead, something about the shape of the head, doesn't look like a pit viper to me.

Might be a northern or midland water snake.

I had the same thought about the shape of the head, not flat enough or wide enough, at least from this angle. I might have been able to get a better view while it was slithering away but I was busy poking it with a stick.
I couldn't find anything else with those distinct markings, but I'll keep looking and post a pic if I can find one.

I believe you're right Knotty.
From - http://www.snakesandfrogs.com/scra/snakes/nortwtr.htm

There are two principal subspecies: Nerodia sipedon sipedon and Nerodia sipedon pleuralis.
Nerodia sipedon sipedon is commonly called the Northern Water Snake and
Nerodia sipedon pleuralis is called the Midland Water Snake. As their names imply
the Northerns are found in the northern half of the eastern US and the Midlands are found in the
lower half of the Mississippi River drainage. There is a large region of integration of the two
supspecies stretching from North Carolina to Oklahoma. It is probable that all specimens found in
South Carolina are intergrades of the Northern/Midland subspecies. SC specimens from the same litter
can look like typical Northerns and Midlands.

Due to their band-like markings and frequent orange coloration, Northerns are often misidentified as venomous Copperhead Snakes.

Northern Watersnake on left, Copperhead on right

...the backcountry camping site across from Devils Fork Campground---is that the only 'legit' place to camp away from the official state park? which is also to ask can you stealth it about anywhere?

My Foothills Trail map shows campsites at the Laurel Fork Falls, one on the right going toward the Toxaway bridge, one on the left at Canebrake, going toward the bridge, and one at the bridge. There were Boy Scouts heading for the one at the bridge yesterday.

My understanding is this-
There are two camping areas at the Devil's Fork State Park, the regular campground, and the boat in camping at Double Springs, across the lake from the campground.
The area outside the park is the managed by the Andrew Pickens Ranger district of the Sumter National Forest on the SC side and the Nantahala National Forest on the NC side. You can camp anywhere in the Andrew Pickens district but only designated spots in the Nantahala. The Toxaway area is just over the line in NC but those are designated spots.

From http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/fms/sumter/recreation/AP_Camping.php
"The Andrew Pickens Ranger District has a wide range of camping opportunities from developed campgrounds to primitive sites.

Primitive camping is allowed at least 50 feet from the trail, 50 feet from any stream and .25 mile from the road."

Andrew Pickens Ranger District
Phone: (864) 638-9568

FWIW, there are plenty of stealth sites around, but it might be worth a phone call.

I should be receiving a MacCat ultra this week, too. Hopefully before we leave on Friday for the Foothills trail. Starting at Table Rock and planning on winding up at Whitewater Falls.

That's great Conan,
If you've been following this site for long, you know we expect pictures.:D
If your's doesn't get there in time, let me know. You may be passing right by my house.

Have a good trip.