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Greetings!
Welcome to the Blue Wall Weekly, your source for what's going on outside along the Southern Blue Ridge Escarpment. Feel free to share your own photos, videos, and adventures along the Blue Wall by sending them to the email address at the bottom of the page, and we'll do our best to make you (locally) famous!
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Weather
That rain, she does sometimes fall hard on Jocassee. This week brought the sting of almost-hail in the deluges, and thunder and lightning a’plenty. There is a terrifying exhilaration to sitting in a boat on a lake in a thunderstorm. We all prefer the exhilaration of swimming in a waterfall, or spying an otter at play, but there is a sense of calm acceptance, a sense of closer community, that comes with sitting together through a rain-driven thunderstorm. Ultimately we all survive the beautiful fury of Mother Nature, as we do, and never has even the worst storm kept us from going out to do it all again, the first chance we get. ~K
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A new class of Jocassee Wild Naturalists gets their first lesson on the very unpredictable weather of the Jocassee Gorges!
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SPECIAL EVENTS
WITH JOCASSEE LAKE TOURS
September 23: 10:00 AM-4:00 PM
September 24: 10:00 AM-4:00 PM
October 1, 15 & 29: 10:00 AM-4:00 PM
September 29: 6:00-8:00 PM
PRIVATE TOURS ARE ALWAYS AVAILABLE!
FISHING ADVENTURES WITH CAPT. ZACH
Call to Book!
CALL OR BOOK ONLINE TO RESERVE SEATS
Bald eagle photo by Doug Young
THIS WEEK!
SEPTEMBER 18
STATE PARK EVENTS
Oconee Station State Historic Site
Originally a military compound and later a trading post, this Historic Site offers both, recreational opportunities and a unique look at 18th and 19th century South Carolina. A self-interpretation station is available at the park office.
Gorges State Park
September 23: 11:00 AM-3:00 PM
This annual festival began last year to celebrate the monarch butterfly and bring attention to the species' declining numbers.
Danaus plexippus Monarch butterfly,
Photo by Francis Hoefer
OTHER OUTDOOR EVENTS
Highlands Biological Station
September 19: 1:00-2:00 PM
Join us as we explore the Botanical Garden to see what molds, mushrooms, & amazing lichens we can find during fall on the Plateau.
Upstate Forever
September 19: 6:00-7:00 PM
UF Clean Water Specialist Rebecca Wade will join Sally Bethea, author and Chattahoochee Riverkeeper to discuss her new book, Keeping the Chattahoochee, in which Sally tells stories that range from joyous and funny to frustrating — even alarming — to illustrate what it takes to save an endangered river.
Conserving Carolina
September 19: 6:00-7:30 PM
This presentation will focus on the general ecology of these fascinating organisms and will provide an overview of the diverse species that make the upstate their home.
Anax junius Common green darner,
Photo by Craig Mullenbach
SCNPS Upstate
September 19: 6:30-8:00 PM
In this presentation, Alan Weakley will explore the rich biological diversity of South Carolina and talk about how we’re still learning about (and learning to see) “the real World” around us.
Green Bird Nature Therapy
September 23
This experience allows you to try out the practice of Noble Silence, while enjoying the healthful effects of fresh air and green, living things …. all in the company of like-minded others.
Sierra Club Bartram Group
September 23: 8:15-11:15 AM
This is one of the best known falls in the Upstate. The parking area is 1.2 miles beyond the Caesars Head State Park office.
Oconee History Museum
September 23: 11:00 AM
Join us in the dedication of our new peace pole and a gathering to celebrate International Day of Peace.
Mushroom Mountain
September 23-24: 9:00 AM-4:00 PM
This 5 year mushroom foraging permit meets the criteria required by the state health departments and formally approved for the foraging and selling of wild mushrooms in the following states: South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York & Rhode Island.
SC BOTANICAL GARDEN EVENTS
September 19: 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Join Naturalist James Wilkins for an introduction to tree identification with a focus on common trees found in the southeast.
Quercus alba White Oak,
Photo by J.S. Peterson
September 20: 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
In this course, you will learn the basic science behind defining wetland systems and the special features that characterize these habitats in our region. You will also learn the basics of how the science and law (the Clean Water Act) meet to help protect these vital ecosystems.
September 22: 9:00-11:00 AM
Join naturalist James Wilkins (and special guests!) as each month we explore a different area of the 17,500 acre Forest.
September 22: 3:30-5:00 PM
Join SCBG Nursery Manager, Misty Shealy, and Education Program Coordinator, Allison Jones, to learn how to create a bog in which carnivorous and other unique and beautiful plants can thrive.
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WEEKLY EVENTS
WITH JOCASSEE LAKE TOURS
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday: 10:00 AM-2:00 PM
Saturdays: 5:45-7:45 PM
Sundays: 10:00 AM-4:00 PM
Sunday Afternoon Tours
THIS WEEK ON LAKE JOCASSEE
SEPTEMBER 18, 2023
I’ve been looking up these days, these fine after Labor Day summer days. While the water is still warm and the swimming still sublime. I’ve been looking up for eagles and hawks and ducks, sure signs of nature on the move. It may seem like just another warm summer day or week here, but the transition to fall is well underway. It’s time to look up for monarch butterflies as well. The skies could be filled with them any day, and oh what fun it is to keep a count of them with children onboard. And finally I’m looking up for loons. It’s a bit of wishful thinking this early in the month, but I do know that the floaters are gathering in huge rafts up north, ready and anxious to head south. Floaters are the adult loons who were unsuccessful breeders, and who gather and socialize this time of year. They migrate first, followed by the breeding loons, and lastly the newly born loons, who find their way south without a drop of guidance from their parents. Two loons were spotted on the lake just this week. It’s almost that time! ~B
COMING SOON!
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER
STATE PARK EVENTS
Table Rock State Park
September 30: 3:00-11:00 AM
Devils Fork State Park
October 7: 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Table Rock State Park
October 14: 2:00-6:00 PM
OTHER OUTDOOR EVENTS
Highlands Biological Station
September 27: 8:00-9:00 AM
GNHA
September 30: 8:30 AM-4:00 PM
GNHA
September 30: 9:00 AM
SCUMS
October 2: 6:00-9:00 PM
Conestee Nature Preserve
October 5: 3:00-4:30 PM
Conestee Nature Preserve
October 5: 4:00-5:30 PM
Friends of Jocassee
October 7: 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
SCNPS Upstate
October 9: 12:00 AM-October 15: 6:00 PM
Hagood Mill Historic Site
October 11: 9:00 AM-4:00 PM
Highlands Biological Station
October 11: 11:00 AM
Mushroom Mountain
October 12: 11:00 AM-12:00 PM
KOBA
October 14: 9:00 AM
Conestee Nature Preserve
October 14: 9:30 AM-12:30 PM
SC BOTANICAL GARDEN EVENTS
September 30: 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
October 13: 2:00-6:00 PM
October 14: 9:00 AM-1:00 PM
October 14: 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
READY TO RAMBLE A LITTLE FURTHER? CHECK OUT WHAT THESE FRIENDS HAVE TO OFFER!
BORROWED GLIMPSES
A recent Guides day...weathering sunshine and storms, celebrating precious friendships, good news, sharing time & being grateful.
Sherrie
Cap'n Dan
Mica
'Literally' as the storm passes.
Back at the dock after another great adventure making memories.
L-R, Kerry, Sheryl, Andy, Geary, Kay, Brooks, Sherrie, Dan, Debra, & Cap'n Ric.
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL WILD CHILD!
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DID YOU KNOW?
It’s Hawk Watch time! Head up to Caesar’s Head or Sassafras Mountain and join the volunteers watching for (and counting) raptors on their way to Central and South America for the winter. These migratory birds take advantage of thermals, a rising column of air caused by temperature differences between the air at ground level and air higher in the atmosphere.
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ABOUT THE BLUE WALL
Spanning three states (North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia) and encompassing 859,000 acres, the Southern Blue Ridge Escarpment, known as the 'Blue Wall' by Native Americans, contains some of the highest natural diversity of rare plants and animals found anywhere in the world.
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Thanks to Sheryl White for compiling the Blue Wall Weekly calendar,
and to all JLT GUIDES for photos and continuous inspiration!
Phone: 864-280-5501
Jocassee Lake Tours Depart from the Main Dock at Devils Fork State Park
PLEASE CALL 864-280-5501 AT LEAST 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE TO RESERVE YOUR SEATS!
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Enjoy this Lake Jocassee peaceful hideaway.
CAMP GLAMP!
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Love Jocassee? Help protect and preserve the beauty of Lake Jocassee and the Jocassee Gorges by joining FOJ!
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.png) Visit Oconee Convention and Visitors Bureau
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Your Portal to Paradise!
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Lake Jocassee
&
Lake Keowee
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