In the beginning . . .

This entry was posted on 6/6/2007 1:20 PM and is filed under General.

Hi, there.  I see you have found my newfound toy . . . the blog.  Admittedly, this is my hubby's doing, as he is my webmaster, and I guess he figured I need another outlet to talk about Jocassee .

There are a couple of upcoming articles you might be interested in reading:  one will be published in this month's Jocassee Journal about diving in Lake Jocassee (I'm told I'm a centerfold - haha); the other is an article by a freelance writer for South Carolina Alive! about Attakulla Lodge.  I will post a link on my website to both articles.

I love to talk about Jocassee - past and present - so please feel free to join the blog with any questions or comments.

Dave and I are leaving on June 7th for Beaufort and Tybee Island to celebrate our 33rd anniversary.  I'm guessin' that Tybee is one of my favorite places, second only to Jocassee.

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Comments

• 6/10/2007 4:58 PM beth pressley wrote:
  Debbie, I enjoyed viewing your website. It was a pleasure to meet you and Dave. I wish that we would have had more time to visit. How did the rest of your trip go? We had a nice time in Charleston Friday and Sat. You have peaked my interest in Jocassee. Rick and I used to visit Toxaway Falls in the late 70's when we were dating. I would like to read your book and learn more. We also plan to visit Lake Jocassee. Tell Dave Thank you for bringing up the subject about your book writing. I have a dear friend that teaches 2nd grade. I will tell her about this. She may want you to come sometime and talk to her students. Take care. I'll be in contact for a copy of the book.
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  1. 6/10/2007 6:24 PM Jocasseegirl wrote:
     Beth, Dave and I enjoyed meeting you and Rick, too!  We had a wonderful time in Beaufort.  It was very relaxing, and we didn't want to come home!  I think it just might be my favorite new place.
     
     Thanks for the comments about my website.  I've really enjoyed sharing Jocassee with others.  I hope that you will plan a trip up there soon.  You won't be disappointed!  Please be sure to let me know when you go, and maybe I'll see you up there.  I hope to get a lot of diving in at Jocassee before the season runs out.
     
     Take care!
     
     Deb
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• 7/23/2007 11:55 AM Beth wrote:
  Hi,I have watched all of the dive footage on your web site and what an awesome story.I couldn't stop watching!I have been to the lake several times,and never new this story.I plan to buy your book as well.I also wanted to know what happened to Jackie.
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  1. 7/23/2007 12:23 PM Jocasseegirl wrote:
     Yes, it was a very exciting day for us!  Please check my website periodically, because I will be adding more items of interest real soon.
     
     Jackie died very unexpectedly.  He was diving, but it was not a dive-related accident.   He was only in 60 feet of water (which was nothing, considering he could dive to over 400 feet), and he must have sensed that something was wrong.  He surfaced (leaving his buddy, which Jackie would never have done if it weren't an emergency), got to the surface, turned off his equipment, and was found dead on the surface.  The autopsy states cause of death as drowning, which is pretty much SOP in diving deaths (so I understand) when no other medical reason can be found.  It was a tragedy, and we all miss him terribly.  He was a wonderful friend.
     
     Do you dive?
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     1. 7/24/2007 9:49 AM Beth wrote:
        I have been diving before,when I was younger and alot more daring,but it was so unnatural for me.I was in the Bahamas the first time and in Florida the next and that was it. I did not love it!I will stick to snorkling!We live in Spartanburg and my husband is going to become certified this summer and they will do that at Jocassee.
        I will be checking your website.I love stories like this!
        I am sorry about your friend-what a tragedy.Beth
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        1. 7/24/2007 10:08 AM Jocasseegirl wrote:
           I know what you mean, Beth.  I didn't like SCUBA at first, either - had a little anxiety about breathing underwater!  Please do keep in touch with the website.  It's good to hear from you!
           Reply to this
• 2/2/2008 2:58 PM Hannah wrote:
  Dear all,
  My name is Hannah Segnitz and I am a student at the University of Florida majoring in architecture. We are doing an architecture project on Jocassee and some of the surrounding area, in commemoration of the lost city, and we are trying to find more information about the town that once was. If any of you have any stories, photos, or anything else you would be willing to share, it would be much appreciated. you can email me at hannahrs@ufl.edu or post a blog to contact me. Thanks,
  Hannah
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• 8/12/2008 11:42 PM james wrote:
  I recently vacationed at Jocassee and after a long day on the lake was napping in the hammock. During my nap I had a "vision" that nearly knocked me on my feet. Yes, this is really going to sound strange but....A gentleman named Horton came to me in my dream and told me a story of getting cheated in a poker game in a town that used to be where Jocassee is. Her told me that another man named McGrath had cheated him out of his money, his wife, and a gold claim. He also made a reference to his wife being hung. Horton was from Mississippi where he used to be a riverboat gambler. Does anyone know any area history, lore, or legend that this goes along with. Really has me baffled.
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  1. 8/13/2008 11:07 AM Jocasseegirl wrote:
     Thanks for your comment.  I have never heard of either of these names, nor heard of any story like it.  You might want to email Claudia Whitmire Hembree, author of "Jocassee Valley" and see if she has heard anything like it.  You can contact her through www.jocasseevalley.com.  Thanks for your interest!
     
     Debbie
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• 12/14/2008 10:50 AM bob wrote:
  is there really a cemetary under this lake?? That is so creepy. I seen a clip on the internet of a hand sticking up out of the ground at a cemetary that was once above water level
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• 2/17/2009 5:46 PM Barbara wrote:
  I remeber visiting Jocaee with as a young girl. The two main things was 1) the water at the swimming hole was freezing and 2) never go over the swinging bridge by yourself as there are snakes there. Well I was going to try it but sure enough I heard a rustle in the bushes and ivy and that was all it took. Jocassee was a peaceful and beautiful place. It seemed so calm. A great place to let a child's imagination grow.
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• 2/23/2009 3:44 PM Donna Rachels wrote:
  I have enjoyed so much reading about Jocassee Valley and watching the TV coverage. I wish so much I could have been lucky enough to experience Attakulla. Happy memories, Debbie!!
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• 2/25/2009 9:21 AM Anm Dobson wrote:
  My parents Laura and Charlie Clyborne owned a home in Jocassee. We too experienced the heartache of losing our beloved "cabin". You might remember the Hamilton's home right off the main road. We turned there and went along side of White Water River and climbed several rugged dirt road to our house on the hill. The house overlooked where White Water River and Keowee River met. Daddy called it the Ponderosa and built a sign that hung over the entrance to the road leading to the house using cut pine sticks to form the letters. We would go down the hill to Keowee River and swim off the big rock. There were a number of cabins in the area across from the river and we would see alot of the same people everytime we were there. I always remember how cold the water was and how swift the current was after a rain. We would have to wear shoes to cross from the shore to the "big rock" due to the rocks and less than sure footing. The water around the rock was smooth and great for swimming. What wonderful memories. My brother and his friends hiked every mountain top around the area and carved their initials in a tree at the crest of each one. I remember the Lodge, Girl's camp and the old hotel. Certainly remember the covered bridge. My mother is still living and I shared the video with her today on CNN. She loved it as well. Perhaps we can correspond sometime as I am sure there are some shared memories. Thanks for the website. I'm glad you found your home and you were able to keep a piece of it. I know what that must mean to you. We were lucky children to have experienced Jocassee like we did. Those memories can never be taken away. Thanks for sharing yours.
  
  Ann Dobson
  108 Holgate Drive
  Greenville, S. C. 29615
  864/380-8402
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• 2/25/2009 12:53 PM Stacy Howell wrote:
  Please let me know when you get the books, I would love to read it. You story is so heartwarming. I too have childhood memories of place's our family would visit,but nothing like your's, It sounds wonderful. You are Blessed. Stacy Howell 643 Ed Carpenter Rd Winnfield,La 71483
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