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Lake Keowee & Me
by:
DeDe
Norungolo
Sense of place heightened
as water lowers
 Conversations
with co-workers can be random and even, on occasion, profound. For
instance, during a recent team meeting a colleague was “making fun”
of me by acting as if he was going to include some of my random
comments in the minutes from our Monday session.
I believe I said something about
how I loved making a six figure salary and live debt free on Lake
Keowee. Of course, much of what I say is tongue-in-cheek or
foot-in-mouth. In that instance, my mouth was full of nonsense
because I do not make six figures and I am certainly not debt free.
However, I am living large on
this wonderful lake that runs up to scenic Highway 11. In fact, on
my way home from Tryon recently I drove the two-lane road and
realized how incredibly sweet it is to cross the man-made body of
water just at the Oconee County border.
Every time I cross the bridge
beyond the new Keowee Towne Market and look over at the historic
farm house known as the “Island House,” I get a sense of place. I’m
reminded of the time my father piloted the Aristocraft all the way
from Keowee Marina to a northwest point of the lake. And, I remember
when he decided it would be so cool to show his daughters where a
portion of the film “Deliverance” was shot. Only my dad was not the
best in navigation and he powered up the engine on top of rocks
where Keowee ends at the base of the Lake Jocassee dam.
Yes, it’s true. My father
powered up the boat, kicked it in reverse and ground out the blades
on the outboard motor. Perhaps it’s because I was so young that I
don’t remember much else about that day. Or maybe it’s because I am
getting older that I can’t recall anything else about Dad bending
the metal. Regardless, we made it back down the lake to Keowee Haven
and to the marina.
Another event that brings me a
sense of place is the annual Fourth of July celebration. Fireworks
can be seen near Keowee Marina and from other various home sites
along the lake’s shore each year as we celebrate independence. Back
in the day, however, the best fireworks display was up at High
Falls. At one time, I estimate that we had three boats carrying
friends and family lashed together stern to stern as we “ooohed” and
“ahhed” over the fireworks.
As you can imagine, navigating
the lake at night is hard enough, but try navigating through the
dark when there are scores of other boats heading away from a
dramatic fireworks display. It’s a wonder we were never injured at
night on those occasions when we were up the lake for such displays.
The last time I ventured out on
the lake to enjoy the fireworks was July 4, 2005. I drove out with
my father and mother to watch the perpetual display of red and green
flares as they lit up the night sky. Sheer delight for nearly 30
minutes even with the cacophony accompanied with country music. That
was my last Fourth of July with Dad, but not the last time I’ll feel
Keowee bliss.
Lake Keowee, with its many
fingers reaching into coves and stretching up the base of Jocassee,
will always offer a sense of place. Just as the mulberries may have
provided a sense of place to the Native Americans who once lived
here, I am as aware of my roots in Oconee and nearby Pickens
counties. The fruits of the regions are so sweet.
Dede Norungolo lives along
the shores of Lake Keowee.
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