Lake Travis Devil's Cove 4th July

I spent the 4th of July up at Lake Travis (outside of Austin) with some good friends and took a bunch of pictures. We (7 or so) stayed at Susanna's lakehouse that weekend (thanks again!). We spent most of the 4th out at Devil's Cove, a famous hangout area on Lake Travis where boaters make virtual islands by tieing their boats together in long, winding, continguous rows, or "chains." Once you're tied into a chain, the fun starts. No one cares if you get on their boat - that's the rule. If you hook up to a chain, you have to allow people to cross your boat so that everyone can go everywhere on the chain.

I had a great time out there. It was a really laid back atmosphere -- everyone was just there to have fun. While we were tied into the chain, I did some swimming and explored some of the other boats. It's probably the most jeopardy I've put my camera in, but all's well that ends well...

One note: We were out on the lake on a major national holiday. Some of these pictures include depictions of alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, and bikini-clad bathers. If you are easily offended by that sort of thing, please take a look at my other Lake Travis Pictures.

Scott (l) was the self-appointed captain of the trip. "Master and Commander" might be more appropriate. John (r) was first mate I guess. The three of us shared a cool house near Westheimer Road (in Houston) for a couple of years in our mid twenties.

Beware of this pair when they're flying the skull and crossbones. Meredith, on the right, is John's wife. Shannon is her younger sister. They offer no quarter.

Devil's Cove, July 4th

Devil's Cove, July 4th

Scott and his lovely wife, Amber

John and Scott

John and Scott

Everybody.

The Girls

That Other Girl

The Girls

This is where John and I took our walk around the chain we were connected to. We probably visited 10 or 15 boats.

John was keeping an eye on me in case I went overboard. My plan was to keep the camera safe if I went over. I'd either try to drop it in a boat, or pitch it to John. This meant I couldn't wear the strap around my neck, though. That's a little dicey in the hot Texas sun, jumping from one rolling ski boat to the next, watching out for wet, slippery patches, all while taking taking lots of pictures of the scenery. Looking through a viewfinder affects your balance and sense of perspective. Like I said, though, no mishaps along the way.

The Girls

Not The Girls

Devil's Cove, July 4th

Devil's Cove, July 4th

Devil's Cove, July 4th

Susanna (front, with cowboy hat), someone & Amber (back)

Devil's Cove, July 4th

Devil's Cove, July 4th (The one on the left is spilling her beer)

Devil's Cove, July 4th

Some of our neighbors.

Me and Susanna

Scott. I made this picture big on accident, but it's fitting that Scott (I was going to say, "a person like Scott," but I'm pretty sure there is no such person) would get the first and only (to date) oversized portait on the blog.

Devil's Cove, July 4th

Johnny Sal

I'm gonna have to visit Devil's Cove again...

Devil's Cove, July 4th

The day ended in tragedy when someone fell into the throttle on our boat, and we ran over Scott. (Just kidding)

Scott and John

Shannon (fore.) is puzzled - "What's so interesting over there that you're taking this many pictures of it," she asks me. "I'm trying to get a good picture of a University of Texas (UT) windsock," I reply, innocently.

Think she bought my story? Me, neither...

I was able to dunk Shelly with my left hand and keep my icy Shiner Bock uncontaminated with the right. The Shiner in my hand came from one of our neighbors - it was his last one. The people out there were alright...

Devil's Cove, July 4th

Scott, Shannon and John (l-r), with the Travis Taxi (512 736 EASY) in the background.

Captain Scott

There are some HUGE houses on the shore of Lake Travis. It's a really nice area.

What can I say? These are the people I call friends.