I met a few archaeologist from UT the other day and heard about their discoveries on Fontana Lake. While the lake is low they come out and explore the areas where they believe Indian once settled. The archaeologists said that they found some pretty great artifacts this trip. I got jealous and decided to head out on the lake the next day.
It was around 50 degrees, which felt like 30 while cruising on a boat. I stopped only once to explore some land and found more trash than artifacts. I kept riding the boat till I traveled about 11 miles from the marina. I realized that the gas was low so I headed back. The scenery was amazing on the other end of the lake and its beauty made the 11 mile trip seem like it took only minutes. The ride back was much slower and longer. I was consistently looking at the gas gage bobbing, which was making it unreliable to read. Since I had only put $5 of gas in the tank I new I was dangerously low. After about 10 miles I past Hazel Creek and joyously threw my arm in the air because I knew I was going to make it back. Then it happened. The boat stalled. I had to paddle this 20 foot plus john boat to the nearest place I could. With the wind speed I really was making almost no progress. I finally reached a boat house (not houseboat.) I thought that these floating house were owned by Fontana so I docked on one and tried getting inside to see if there was a phone or radio. After I broke in, fitting my lengthy body through the window and falling on a couch, I realized that this house was not Fontana owned. There were pictures of this one family all around. The decorations were personal unlike the generic feel of a resort. There was an extensive book collection. And as I was looking for some kind of device to call for a tow, I found a lot of food that was perishable. So I knew this wasn't Fontana's, and it looked as if they were still using it during the winter season. After realizing this I didn't spend much time in their fearing that they would arrive. There was no radio or phone that I could see so I left. I then paddled to shore and began my difficult walk back to the marina. Luckily it was no more then a mile, but it was a hard walk as the very loose boulders, on the steep lake bed, caused for very slow travel. I actually had fallen several times as rocks gave way under my feet and fell to the lake below. I have to say it was a GREAT TRIP!
It was around 50 degrees, which felt like 30 while cruising on a boat. I stopped only once to explore some land and found more trash than artifacts. I kept riding the boat till I traveled about 11 miles from the marina. I realized that the gas was low so I headed back. The scenery was amazing on the other end of the lake and its beauty made the 11 mile trip seem like it took only minutes. The ride back was much slower and longer. I was consistently looking at the gas gage bobbing, which was making it unreliable to read. Since I had only put $5 of gas in the tank I new I was dangerously low. After about 10 miles I past Hazel Creek and joyously threw my arm in the air because I knew I was going to make it back. Then it happened. The boat stalled. I had to paddle this 20 foot plus john boat to the nearest place I could. With the wind speed I really was making almost no progress. I finally reached a boat house (not houseboat.) I thought that these floating house were owned by Fontana so I docked on one and tried getting inside to see if there was a phone or radio. After I broke in, fitting my lengthy body through the window and falling on a couch, I realized that this house was not Fontana owned. There were pictures of this one family all around. The decorations were personal unlike the generic feel of a resort. There was an extensive book collection. And as I was looking for some kind of device to call for a tow, I found a lot of food that was perishable. So I knew this wasn't Fontana's, and it looked as if they were still using it during the winter season. After realizing this I didn't spend much time in their fearing that they would arrive. There was no radio or phone that I could see so I left. I then paddled to shore and began my difficult walk back to the marina. Luckily it was no more then a mile, but it was a hard walk as the very loose boulders, on the steep lake bed, caused for very slow travel. I actually had fallen several times as rocks gave way under my feet and fell to the lake below. I have to say it was a GREAT TRIP!
