Sat, Sep 17 2011 - Lake Tugalo Overnight Paddle (Must Bring Your Own Boat) (View Original Event Details) Trip Leader(s): Scott Kozlowski Participants: Scott Kozlowski, Maria, Andy Altman, jrssitp

The four of us had a fantastic time on what may be the inaugural AOC "Bring Your Own Boat" overnight event (more to come!).  We launched from the GA ramp about 10 AM and paddled up the Chattooga side of the lake in search of a campsite.  After selecting the largest beach we could find to call home for the evening, we quickly set up camp.  Then it was back in the boats for a tour of the lake.  Conditions were perfect for paddling (though we could have used a little less of the everpresent Tugalo headwind) and we traversed the main body of the lake to the dam and then on up the Tallulah arm to the picturesque red brick generating station that guards the end of the Tallulah.  The shadows were beginning to get longer as we turned to head back to the beach we called home at the other end of the lake.  After a few hours paddle (and a brief detour to collect the rest of the firewood at the ramp) we were back home for the evening.

Andy quickly got to work preparing his vegetarian pasta delights in his iron skillet while I prepared the charcoal fire for more carnivorous delights.  John was heard to mention..."what...steak?" as he choked down his 4th Slim Jim wishing he'd caught a fish or two.  After dinner, the bonfire stoked to appropriate proportions, three of us decided it was time for a washers competition (Andy chose to doze by the fire).  Maria was crowned the beach washers champion in short order.

Sunday was a slow starter for most of us as we'd done the best we could to stay up to see the stars (they remained hidden by clouds for the evening).  Andy was up early but failed to wake the rest of us choosing instead to enjoy a peaceful early morning paddle.  We packed up the gear after breakfast (which included a selection of fried pop tarts courtesy of John) and then paddled up to the point where the Chattooga River meets the lake.  A few short paddling miles later we were back at the ramp and on our way home.  All in, we decided we'd paddled about 15-16 miles between Saturday and Sunday, covering the entire lake.