Linda and I, along with Marshall and Carol McKenzie, took Miss Kitty and Big Mac to the clear waters of Degray Lake for 3 days at the end of September. It was our first "long distance" trip with Miss Kitty, and what a beautiful trip it was. We arrived at the lake on Saturday afternoon and took a short motor cruise across the lake to a beautiful isolated cove where we dropped Miss Kitty's anchor, tethered Big Mac along side, and tied our sterns at the edge of the shore beneath the tall pine trees. It was a beautiful quiet lagoon in which to barbecue chicken, swim, and relax for the evening.
|
|
| Relaxing in the reflections of a quiet cove after the first day. | |
The morning was perfect for a relaxing breakfast of bacon and eggs before weighing anchor and motoring off to explore the lake, with Big Mac and Miss Kitty still tethered side-by-side. It was a relaxing way to explore, as first one, than the other of us would take the helm to steer from either boat while the rest of us visited as Big Mac's motor carried us down the lake to explore the dam. As the morning breezes began, we raised our mains and motorsailed awhile, still tethered and steering from either helm.
 |
| Carol, Marshall and Linda enjoying the "catamaran" cruise. |
As the breezes picked up, our genoas went up, the motor was shut off and onward we sailed for the rest of the day, exploring each island and the shores up river all the while sailing first from one helm than the other as we became more adept at tacking our new MacVen "catamaran". At one point, as the winds came up to about 10-12 knots, we took turns straddling the two sterns and sailing with a tiller-extender in each hand. What a ride! You had to be there to appreciate the fun. Another sailboat or two appeared to be coming our way to check out this strange looking sailing contraption, but could not keep up as we turned further upwind.
 |
 |
| Is it a 2-masted MacVen?... Close quarters racing?... | Marshall sailing Big Mac and Miss Kitty at one time! |
The second evening was spent in another beautiful "lagoon". After dropping anchor and securing our sterns ashore, Linda commented this would be a great place to look for arrowheads and off she went exploring, while I'm thinking (but not saying) "Oh, sure." She returned empty handed only to look down behind Carol's chair and, lo and behold, found an arrowhead that had weathered the last 150 or so years in perfect condition. We spent the remainder of the evening barbecuing steaks on shore and visiting while watching the reflections of the trees, hawks, and evening sky in the glass-like waters of the cove.
We awoke on Monday morning as the sun peaked through the trees and filtered through the morning mist and fog arising from the waters of the lake.
 |
| Misty Dawn of a new day of unknown adventure. |
Homemade (or is that "boat made") breakfast burritos made up our morning feast before motoring out into the lake for the return journey.
 |
| Marshall fixing breakfast burritos. |
We continued motorsailing, tethered still from the day before, as we explored the remainder of the lake and the resort along shore. As the late morning breezes picked up, we un-tethered our boats for the first time in a day and a half so that Carol could take our first pictures we have of Miss Kitty under sail.
 |
| Linda and Steve sailing Miss Kitty at DeGray Lake. |
For those of you looking for a new lake to explore, DeGray Lake is well worth the 4-5 hour drive from Dallas. The waters are clear (visibility of 10 feet or more underwater), the scenery beautiful and the lake traffic minimal. A depth finder is a helpful accessory as there are a number of shallow spots where you might least expect them.
Return to Venture/MacGregor Yacht Club