Chilhowee Lake Boating & Swimming -- and Scona Stories by James Buchanan--
Valley So Wild Series
Monday June 16, 2025
Kenny, Dana, Gabe and Mia Koogler
Crystal and Tessa Lindsey and Alexis, Tessa's friend.
Pictures are HERE
Kenny got an unexpected day off work on a Monday. We had yet to take the boat out on the water so it looked to be a good day to go for it. Kenny had been doing a LOT of fretting about the forecast and the rain storms. Letting it shackle our plans. I finally spoke up about it and said enough was enough. We planned to get up with our daughter Crystal, granddaughter Tessa, Tessa's friend (our friend too) Alexis. Crystal has a Honda pilot with third row seating. We would need this for today's adventure. We took two vehicles. Truck towing the boat. Dropping it off down at the lake in a parking area. We then loaded up in Crystal's car and she drove the Tail of the Dragon for the first time ever. She'd never even been on it! Who knew?!
She did a great job. No one got car sick. She had been wanting to go try eating at Tapoco Tavern so we did that today! We pulled in there and it was a wonderment to all. Kenny and I were the only ones who had been before out of this group. Our meal was great and it worked out well for everyone to be fed and have a chance to use the restroom before hitting the lake.
Crystal enjoyed it as much as I hoped. Already planning a date night to go back!
We headed back across the Dragon to the boat ramp to begin our day on the water. We bought a nice pontoon boat late last Summer. Our granddaughter Mia was not sure about this whole boat ride business. She was nervous starting out. She quickly relaxed and enjoyed the ride.
I had the GPS along and wanted to check the waterfalls that are supposed to be dropping into the lake. We checked them today, but found only one barely trickling even as much rain as we've had. I am done looking for these. I know Lawson Hollow runs and is beautiful during times of heavy rain, but the rest... you can keep them.
We went down toward the campsite near McMurray Cemetery Citico. Families were camped there and having a good time in the water. The beach such as it is.. is red mud. We didn't care. We jumped on in. Even Mia jumped in and was loving it. The water was cool in spots but closer to the surface was quite warm. We swam around a good bit, but then the kids were ready to go for a ride on the tube Papaw bought.
Below: It's Mimosa time in Tennessee! These are non-native invasive, but they are pretty, tropical, and smell like the very breath of Heaven. These were near the put in ramp.
Above: Kenny backing the truck up and loading up the boat!
Below: Kids in the lake in that muddy water. We don't even care! Mia was unfazed!
Above; More scenes from swimming
Above: the red dirt beach at Citico
Above: Capn' Papaw sure knows how to have a good time! We love him like crazy. Crystal is talking to him about something.
Below is a short video clip of swimming today
Eventually we climbed back on the boat and Kenny started getting the tube ready to launch! I'd be the observer for the first round. The business of "towing without an observer" really isn't a joke. A mirror helps, but an observer is better. Last Summer my son in law, Adam, saved a child who was involved in a tubing accident. I won't get into the details, but it could have ended badly. The family was watching, but things sometimes still go wrong. Need to be paying attention.
Below: Alexis and Tessa went first. 
Below: hard to see them back there. The clouds were especially pretty today!
Below: Crystal stands in front of the tube before it is unloaded.
Below: Tessa, Alexis and Mia and Crystal's belly in her sparkle tube!
Below: Crystal stands in front of the tube before it is unloaded.
Below: towing Gabe and Mia
Everyone liked the ride in the tube. Each kid had their own likes and dislikes so they paired up accordingly. Gabe and Alexis like fast and furious. Mia and Tessa like slower and steady. It worked out great.
The day was getting late. No one was wanting to leave, but the dog was going to need let out at Crystal's house. Not fair to leave him so long. We should have just brought him with us.
We stopped one more time to swim and play not far from the dock. The kids were NOT ready to leave, but I could tell they were getting tired.
Below: my favorite view of the Smoky Mountains today across the lake! 
We finally had to pull in to the dock and Crystal and her girls went on ahead to let Rip out.
We Kooglers stuck around to pack the truck and hook up the boat. I don't think we were even on Foothills Parkway yet when both Gabe and Mia were snoring like two little squirrels. That is a win for the grandparents! It was a perfect day. No weather problems. We had one little sprinkle while over at Tapoco and that was that!
Below: Gabe and Mia napping in the truck from having played very hard! They are getting so big.
Below is a video of towing the kids:
Below is the promised guest author short story by James Buchanan. He grew up at Scona and what adventures he had. I'm sure he'd have liked all the things we did today when he was a kid, but he took the party with him where he went. He did some REAL living. Thank you Jim for another adventure shared!
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