Just not in our Journey, but a boat this time.
We rented a pontoon boat together with Heather and Brian and set out for a day on the water at South Carolina’s Lake Murray.
It was nice to just cruise around the lake. We did some sightseeing, and periodically stopped, anchored and swam around in the water, it was a perfect temperature. The boys did some skiing on knee boards, too.
Marti and her sister Gail
There are islands in the lake, this one has a history behind it. It is called Bomb Island.
During World War II, Jimmy Doolittle’s airmen practiced their bombing techniques on the island for their 1942 Doolittle Raid, which bombed Japan for the first time in the war.
![doolittle2[1]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgDh85GJntaryiVcomQzB4tyHjHub3f9POrRv3qszXoCiPkgwjfy9C2dFTIcSME8z9MiMqYvybv-Yg1TnFrJ7Jc-ROJ7ypHlvqNqeVL44c-4QAhFRpGOEiIifhdD3W5iy5XDiQA5YeRSv9/s1600-h/doolittle2%25255B1%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg "doolittle2[1]")
Jimmy Doolittle (second from left) and his crew
They used B-25 Mitchell bombers.
![planes_1ddc4dcb[1]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3z6aqTcXk8RD6wu2zTgbpoombgMSBwqbZvLA-z0EbTXjIYSclnSAEdm2L9IagOK7RruW9lvr70cHHSHtHmK7nq9MFf35tcBMaFquoDDd-rhi8vA24ZlPG_adApePL2ZynhmU_wjz5BY_r/s1600-h/planes_1ddc4dcb%25255B1%25255D%25255B3%25255D.jpg "planes_1ddc4dcb[1]")
During their training, four B-25s crashed into the lake, with no loss of life. Three of the planes were salvaged right away, but a fourth was left in the lake because it settled in water nearly 100 feet deep.
In 1995, with modern equipment, the lost plane was recovered nearly intact and now is on display in a museum.
We weren’t bothered by any low flying airplanes. In fact, it seemed like we had the whole lake to ourselves. There were hardly any other boats out.
Owie wanted to drive the boat, so daddy Brian gave him instructions on how to do it.
Andrew kept a lookout in the bow.
After a while, Owie was able to take control and drive the boat all by himself. He concentrated really hard and did a great job.
Hmm. Future Coastie in training?
Thanks for visiting and feel free to leave a comment.
![license_20110706205528_24375[1]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXp_GncevEtX2UBbUFoa9YUUlTCvqolXJ6spQ3qkSBAPl0NncQZmpmIjK_-djQUS3jxND6en94pnKTHIlklVdcoJENjKxLloVD57mNasZ7LtA6UTsqN45FwfyRyqz6Zj48WpfZGJw4j70/s1600-h/license_20110706205528_24375%25255B1%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg "license_20110706205528_24375[1]")
There's just something special about the water...
ReplyDeleteSyl
What a great way to spend time in South Carolina!! We have seen Lake Murry and it is REALLY large... Glad Owie was in charge of that boat so you were sure to get back;-)
ReplyDeleteYou sure start training those Coasties young, don't you?
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great day on the water.
ReplyDeleteGreat family members. Bet the pontoon seemed a bit small compared to other vessels you have been on.
ReplyDeleteAlways fun to be out on the water.
ReplyDeleteGrew up on the Mississippi River. Nothing like being on the water. Curt
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a Coastie in training. 3rd generation or is 4??? Looks like a terrific way to spend time in South Carolina.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like some good family fun and memories there. I always said if we got another boat, it would have to be a pontoon boat.
ReplyDeleteA nice day on the water with some history-perfect!
ReplyDeleteLooks like your Grandson Owie is a natural at the controls of the boat.
ReplyDeleteInteresting history about the Doolittle training. I'm surprised so many planes crashed on the practice flights.
Owie looks right at home there :) You should take him out on the Sea Eagle and let him paddle a bit :)
ReplyDeleteA wonderful day is even better on the water!
You KNOW he'll be a Coastie someday :-) Good idea to put him out in the Sea Eagle (with supervision of course)!
ReplyDeletenice day for a boat ride! nothing like being out on the water!!
ReplyDeleteI love anything water but I think you already figured that one out. It looks like you're having a marvelous time and so the rest of the gang looks like they enjoyed themselves too.
ReplyDeleteI love anything water but I think you already figured that one out. It looks like you're having a marvelous time and so the rest of the gang looks like they enjoyed themselves too.
ReplyDeleteThey start training them earlier and earlier ;-)
ReplyDeleteNow if you could have fit the Journey on there you'd have the best of both worlds.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like sooo much fun. I love boats. I love Owie's intense look. I hope you didn't get too close to that island. It sounds like they really needed the practice.
ReplyDeleteSounds like everyone had a great day out on the lake. A pontoon works really well for these types of outings.
ReplyDeleteA future Coastie in training for sure!
ReplyDeleteIt looks so much fun here. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteZion RV Park