South Carolina (side trip to Colorado College)

We sadly ended our long visit to the state of Florida. Both Philip and I enjoyed exploring the lesser known regions of Florida as well as the more popular spots such as St. Augustine. Maybe the trick is to visit before it is too hot and too crowded and do not spend all your time on the coastal beaches.

After six months of travel together, Philip and I temporarily parted ways. Philip stayed in Florida camping at the Gold Head Branch State Park. I departed for Colorado Springs to spend time with Max and Janique. Max was in the final stages of his senior seminar. It was thesis time. For art majors a thesis can take many forms. Max chose to do an installation piece that combines video and live performance. Janique and I helped Max with the last minute details and we were there for the opening.










My Spring's home. That round symbol on the motel sign denotes a 0 stars, but what can you expect for $39 a night! Location, location, location.



Our first night back together we stayed at a KOA in St. Mary's Georgia. We generally shy away from commercial campgrounds. They are usually expensive with small sites and noisy locations. This one was no exception. We spent part if the day touring St. Mary it's a quaint coastal town mainly for visitors arriving and departing from Cumberland Island.



After a very brief time in Georgia, we headed north to the Charleston area. I had been here for work many times and I was looking forward to showing Philip some of my favorite spots and discovering a few more. We set up camp at Buck Hall Campground along the intracoastal waterway in the Francis Marion National Forest. The forest is named for a Revolutionary War hero, nicknamed the Swamp Fox. During the war he outwitted British troops by disappearing into the swamp after attacks.

Buck Hall is in Awendaw, an easy drive away from beautiful Charleston. Here are some photos from our bus tour of the historic city. That evening we ate at SNOB, Slightly North of Broadway. The restaurant name refers to Broadway, the cross street in peninsular downtown Charleston. Only the very, very wealthy live south of Broadway today and in the past.















From Buck Hall Campground we could access the Palmetto Trail. Eventually, this trail, which is open to hikers, bikers and sometimes equestrians, will cross the entire state with 425 miles if trail. Presently, 290 miles of trail have been completed. We biked four sections of the trail.



Wild azaleas!



Creek crossings.



One of my favorite activities here is kayaking. We spent a day paddling up and down Wambaw Creek, a black water creek in the national forest.



Look closely and you will see a small alligator sleeping on a log. We saw lots of alligators along the banks- one that was at least 10 feet.



Cypress tree knees reaching up from the swamp to deliver oxygen to the tree.



This stretch of the creek has huge old growth cypress trees.



My favorite eatery in the area.



Cajun Festival in Charleston. Fun zydeco music, beer and...



Funnel cakes. Best not to wear black when eating these fried treats.



After five nights in the campground, we moved to Halfway Creek primitive camping area in the forest. A beautiful spot. The dogwoods were in full bloom.



Philip and I paddled in upper Wadboo Swamp and I took a morning paddle with Nature Adventure Outfitters on Shem Creek. Lots of shrimp boats dock here and there is a pelican rookery on nearby Crab Bank Island.



Our last night in South Carolina was spent inland on the western border at Croft State Natural Area. There is a nice campground there and lots if great mountain biking trails.




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