Greetings from the swamp!

Audubon Swamp Walk, Charleston, SC 

I intended to walk through the gardens and catch the camellia blossoms but drove up to a full parking lot and discovered I was there on Pirates & Mermaids day. Yikes! I made a quick turn and wandered through the swamp instead. 

Swamp Walking

Audubon Swamp, Magnolia Gardens, Charleston, SC

"In every walk with Nature one receives far more than he seeks.”

― John Muir

Magnolia Plantation walking

Magnolia Plantation Gardens, Charleston, SC

I had a long time online blogging/social media friend Maggie visit Charleston this week from Australia. Naturally we went walking at Magnolia Plantation, through the garden and the swamp. She almost took a detour tripping over a young alligator on the path but all is well! It's one of my favorite places in the world and I am always happy to show it off. 

Walk with me - swamp color

Audubon Swamp Walk, Charleston, SC   

It may not be peak blooming season but there is always something in bloom at Magnolia Plantation's Audubon Swamp walk. It didn't seem so unbearably humid this morning and it was a pleasant walk.

As I began my walk the trolley with passengers came by. My least favorite thing is having a nature walk interrupted by a loud speaker but this time I heard the tour guide telling his passengers that the swamp had been the filming location for the movie Swamp Thing in 1982. After laughing at the scenes on youtube I immediately ordered the dvd. How funny to have a swamp creature scene in exactly the same place I was walking today.

Gator soup

Audubon Swamp Garden, Charleston, SC  

What a treat to sneak an extra day off during the week to spend with my nephew. Today was bright and sunny and we walked the Audubon Swamp walk at Magnolia Plantation. You always hope to spot a gator or two but this was a gator soup. We spotted so many little fellas relaxing in the sun on the side of that path as well as some big rascals in the water. 

We have fall color

Audubon Swamp Walk, Charleston, SC  

We have fall color, who says we don't?

The only thing better than a three day weekend is a four day weekend - yipee! I love waking up without an alarm clock even when I still wake up before the alarm goes off. That way I can lay there and enjoy it not going off.

I started my day at the Arts & Craft festival at Magnolia Plantation to visit my friend Leah's photography booth. Check out her amazing photography here. Then I headed to walk through the Audubon Swamp. I have an annual pass about to expire and need to milk a few more days out of it before I spring for a new one. I spotted a few small gators, ibis and turtles enjoying the sunny day.

Swamp Color

Audubon Swamp Garden, Charleston, S.C.

There is always something blooming in the swamp. I hit the Audubon Swamp walk this morning, circled the lake and was heading into the woods when the skies opened and it started to pour. My thought is always, "protect the camera, protect the camera!" It has been a rolling thunder and spotty storm day but at least I got outside and stretched my legs.

Aren't these Little Guy Teardrop Campers the cutest things?! 
End your week with a smith: Be Happy
I've been watching the old Scottish series Monarch of the Glen. It ran from 2000 to 2005 so I have some fun ahead. There is such trash on regular tv it is nice to find a show to enjoy.
Cure a cold with a hot, roasted onion eaten at bedtime according to Dr. Chase's Receipt Book.

Swamp Stylin' Charleston Fashion

Audubon Swamp, Charleston, S.C.

It is the spring statement fashion Charleston style - stylish boots and short shorts. It was a bright sunny day, a bit warm for boots but considering all the little bites I have on my sandaled tootsies, she was dressed the smarter of us for stomping through the swamp paths.

Thanks to Sheryl for posing for me as we passed on our hikes around the lake.