Monday Adriana and I spent the entire day outside hiking, basking in the sun, throwing rocks in Lake Jocassee, and just having a laugh. We started our adventure at the Keowee-Toxaway State Park off Route 11, where we walked the 1.5-mile natural bridge trial. It was a glorious, crisp morning, perfect for some sweat-producing, heart-pumping exercise. We dined on our packed lunches – mine the quintessential American PP&J and Adriana’s Italian orzo coated in olive oil, Parmesan cheese, and parsley – we both chuckled about how our food choices reflected our cultural backgrounds.
We zoomed down 11 to the next state park, Devil’s Fork. We were met with the most wonderful view of Lake Jocassee and the mountain range that proudly stands guard over the basin’s inhabitants. Along with those picturesque peaks, the incandescent aqua blue and lime green water proved to be a most excellent subject matter. We walked around part of the lake, taking photographs and searching for that perfect rock to take as a keepsake of the day’s adventure. We next ventured to the Oconee Bell trail, where the rare Oconee Bell wildflower lives. Hunting for a glimpse of the elusive flower, we drank in the scent of fallen pine needles crunching under our boots. On the recommendation of a passerby, we found the single bloom near the end of the trail – it was small, white, and all alone. We ended our day back at the lake. Lying in the grass for close to two hours listening to the water lap against the rocks and the crows squawking in nearby trees (which instantly reminded me of my Grandma; she does the best impersonation of a crow), Adriana and I soaked up every ounce of the abundant vitamin D beaming down upon us.
Lake Jocassee, March 10, 2014
The drive back to Pickens was the perfect capper to a perfect Monday. Light streaming through the trees, windows down, I felt rejuvenated, tingling with the warmth and the experiences of the day.
Me and Adriana, March 10, 2014
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