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This time of year, we share this amazing place with an incredible number of winter birds. On Christmas Eve, we counted 59 ring-billed gulls and 13 loons scattered across the main basin and floating on or flying around the buoy at the hydro intakes. Exploring the lower lake, we headed up the Thompson River channel. A pied-billed grebe dove and resurfaced a safe distance away and a belted kingfisher gracefully darted in and out of the trees as it made its way back down river, and away from us. Rounding the last bend, just before the mouth of the river, we spooked an adult and juvenile bald eagle, probably eyeing the school of large fish drifting in the eddy just beyond the rapids. We left the boat and hiked a short distance up the trail, through a rock cathedral, to the first pool of the river. Water dripping from the rocks above formed icicles on the branches of rosebay rhododendrons below. Temps in the shade around the rushing water made the sunshine feel heavenly when we returned to the boat. A wintertime outing on Jocassee is one of peace and serenity! As we end this year and begin a new one, consider starting it with us. Wishing you all a little Jocassee peace this coming year!

~Sheryl White, JLT guide & Friend of Jocassee.