Sun, Dec 30 2018 - Winter Paddle on Stone Mountain Lake (View Original Event Details) Trip Leader(s): Larry Cooper, Lisa Participants: Lisa, Larry Cooper, Joe Baiyor, Heidi W., Thomas W., Jane Z, Shawn Z, Bill McGoldrick, Lee Ann

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15% chance of rain can be a good bit of rain indeed, we realized as we unloaded the kayaks in a torrential mist. But this was a hardy group, eager to get outside on a drizzly Sunday morning. We even had a couple last minute additions to bring our number to 9. We soon were all afloat and headed out around the lake clockwise. 

We paused to get a lovely view of a little waterfall, then continued on under the old covered bridge and to the grist mill. We stopped for lunch at the old boat dock and saw up close the old paddlewheel boat that has fallen into disrepair. The precipitation had stopped by now, too. We finished our lunch just in time for the beginning of the live performance on the 732-bell Carillon. The bells were unveiled at the 1964 World's Fair in New York. Today's concert featured Christmas carols including "O Holy Night," "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear," "We Three Kings" and many more. The bells ringing crisply over the water was sublime. It was so cool to float right up to the bells and also to the little glass building on the island where the musician plays the instrument.

We continued paddling around the lake, exploring inlets, admiring the golf course and wondering what it would be like to stay in those yurts. The campground was full on this New Year's Eve eve. We all made it back to dry land, with no one going swimming this time.