Santee Lakes - Floating Cabins (7/28-7/31)

[Latimeria]

Just got back from a fantastic 4-day stay in one of the floating cabins at Santee Lakes, and it was exactly the kind of relaxing getaway I needed.

The routine quickly became my favorite part of the trip. I'd be out on the water first thing each morning with a fishing rod in hand, enjoying the calm lake before most people were even awake. The fishing wasn't exactly on fire, but it was steady enough to keep things interesting. Over the four days I managed to land 8 catfish and a few of the famous "pond chickens". Not exactly trophy fishing, but they kept the rods bending and made for a fun time.

What really had me scratching my head were the carp. They were everywhere. Every morning and evening I'd see them jumping, rolling, and splashing all around the cabin. It looked like the lake was full of them. Unfortunately, none of them seemed remotely interested in anything I was offering. I spent a fair amount of time trying different approaches, hoping to connect with one of those big carp, but they completely ignored me. Plenty of activity, zero bites.

Once the late morning heat started rolling in, I'd head back to the cabin. One of the best things about the floating cabins is having that air conditioning waiting for you after spending a few hours in the sun. I'd kick back in the cool cabin, turn on the TV, and relax while keeping the window shades open to enjoy the lake views. There was something incredibly peaceful about watching the water, seeing paddle boats drift by, and just slowing down for a while.

Food was another highlight of the trip. I think I had the grill going at least twice every day. Burgers, bacon, chicken, steaks... pretty much any excuse to fire up the BBQ was good enough for me. Nothing beats cooking outside while overlooking the lake and then sitting back with a cold drink afterward.

Speaking of drinks, the ciders absolutely hit the spot during the hottest parts of the day. When temperatures started climbing, it was nice to sit in the shade, enjoy a cold cider, and appreciate that I had nowhere to be and nothing that needed to get done (Which is rare air since I started the new job)

In the afternoons and evenings, I'd take hikes around the lakes with the wife. There's always something to see, whether it's waterfowl, turtles, anglers, or families enjoying the park, although I was really looking for that wild turkey who decided to call the "Puddles" home! The wife really enjoyed the walks though.  To her they were a great way to stretch the legs between my fishing sessions and the BBQ meals.

Evenings were probably my favorite time. As the sun started dropping and temperatures became comfortable again, I'd head back out to fish. The lakes get a different feel at sunset, and sitting on the water while watching the sky change colors was worth the trip all by itself. Even when the fish weren't cooperating, it was hard to complain.  The sheer number of mosquitoes and bats had me a little unnerved though. The bats would swoop right by my face where I felt the wind of their wings and couldn't believe how many were flying around!

Overall, the fishing may not have been spectacular, but the trip absolutely was. Eight catfish, a handful of pond chickens, plenty of failed attempts at stubborn carp, lots of BBQ, cold ciders, scenic hikes, and several days spent relaxing in an air-conditioned floating cabin with beautiful lake views. That's a pretty good recipe for a vacation if you ask me.