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. 

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. 

Historic Camellia Collection

Magnolia Gardens, Camellia Collection, Charleston, SC 

 For some reason I like doing the camellia garden walk after a cold spell. They are as beautiful as they die as they are in full bloom. Hope someone says that about me someday!

The Secret Lives of Cypress Knees

Cypress Knees, Magnolia Plantation Gardens, Charleston, SC 

The alligators thrashed their tails in jealousy as I pointed my camera at the ground on my walk through the swamp this morning. The budding tops of the cypress knees caught my eye. They clustered in little groups like families under the mother's wing. It was a beautiful cook morning for a walk.

After the rain

Magnolia Plantation Garden, Charleston, SC 

We had a downpour this morning. When I finally got out for a walk the water made for a different view at Magnolia Plantation. I've never seen a reflection view!

I walked out to climb the Observation Tower and enjoyed the dramatic skies while trying to thump and walk as loudly as possible on the trails to signal the creep crawlies that I was coming through. I've been seeing too many pictures of snakes lately.

Grand live oak tree

Live oak, Magnolia Plantation, Charleston, SC  

This wonderful live oak tree is at Magnolia Plantation in the part of the park where the Magnolia Cabin project tour "Slavery to Freedom" is.

Magnolia recognizes the importance of acknowledging the vital role that Gullah people and culture plays in any interpretation of Lowcountry history. By addressing this often overlooked part of the region's narrative, Magnolia seeks to respectfully afford credit where credit is due.
Visitors have the option to take a shuttle to the cabins, where they will experience an engaging and interactive discussion of the dynamic issues that shape this delicate inquiry. Afterward, time is given to allow everyone the opportunity to explore each cabin to appreciate the lengthy period in which the buildings were actively occupied - from the 1850s to the late 1990s. This arc of history conveys the tumultuous times continuously challenging African-American families from slavery, the Jim Crow/segregation era and through the modern Civil Rights period.

Blossom season

Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC 

It is difficult to resist returning to Magnolia Plantation & Gardens at blossom season. I keep an annual pass so there is no charge to do my walk in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Since there was a chill in the air it wasn't swarming with visitors.

I hope everyone is surviving their Monday.

Observation Tower

Observation Tower, Magnolia Gardens, Charleston, SC   

You can't go wrong in any season but the scene from the top of the observation tower (puff, pant) will look completely different in a few weeks. The golden brown marsh will turn green and the trees will be alive with birds. Take a turn through the camellia garden and climb on up!

Fog Walking - Magnolia Plantation

Picnic Tables, Magnolia Plantation, Charleston, SC   

I was to help with a neighborhood clean up this morning but checking my phone from bed I learned it was cancelled due to the rain and fog. Fog! That got me up from my lazy bed and out to Magnolia Gardens for a walk in the mist. I wandered through the camellia garden and climbed the observation tower. Not a bad way to celebrate my birthday. 

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.