History by the lake

Rock's Pond Rd., Eutawville, SC

I've noted these buildings in passing along the road to Rock's Pond Campground and finally stopped to take a closer look. My understanding is they are outbuildings from the original Rocks Plantation that is now submerged under Lake Marion. More history of the plantation can be found on this site:
South Carolina Plantations. They are sadly falling into disrepair.

The Oaks Plantation

The Oaks Plantation, Georgetown, SC   

The second stop on our Georgetown plantation tour last weekend was The Oaks Plantation which is privately owned and operated as a hunt club. They tortured me by not allowing me to take pictures inside. One of the most striking sights was the large flock of white ibis gathered on the back drive. They were in the trees as well but I've never seen them grouping together on the ground like that. It was a treat to see.

Santee Gun Club

Santee Gun Club, Georgetown, SC

I did a plantation tour in the Georgetown area on Friday. Yep. I took an actual day off to do something fun. Since we were driving up from Charleston we started with the buildings on the south end of Georgetown and the first on our list was the Santee Gun Club.

The more I learn the cooler it is. I had never heard of it before. Sadly they wouldn't let us take pictures inside the building but there were wooden lockers for the individual owner's guns and liquor. Very cool. Definitely worth a trip back since it is now DNR property and open for visits.

Link to great content and hunting journal entries

sciway information and photos

From SC Wildlife: In 1898, "Captain" Hugh Garden, a prominent New York attorney, leased the abandoned rice fields and marshes on Cedar and Murphy islands at the mouth of the South Santee River. Garden, originally from Sumter and descended from the famous botanist Alexander Garden of Charleston, had contacts among the rich and famous from New England to Savannah. Garden established the Santee Gun Club, and the roster quickly filled with some of the most well-heeled duck hunters in the eastern United States. Over the years, the club's land holdings continued to grow, eventually reaching 24,000 acres, including a significant tract on the mainland. In 1974, the club transferred all its land to The Nature Conservancy, which in turn, transferred the bulk of the property to the DNR. The Nature Conservancy retained ownership of the 1,040-acre Washo Reserve, a significant wading bird rookery, and the DNR manages the remainder of the property to provide habitat for an impressive assortment of wildlife - including many rare, threatened and endangered species - and to provide recreational opportunities for the public.

Rising above the tide

42 Rutledge Ave., Charleston, SC   

It has been interesting to watch this historic Charleston home on Rutledge Ave. being raised to elevate it above rising water. What a complicated business. The Post & Courier did an article on the project and I've been keeping an eye on the progress for all of us.

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.

Wisteria Party

Wisteria blossoms, Charleston, SC   

There are pop-up wisteria parties all over the lowcountry at the moment and this display is one I always make a spring visit to on Meeting St. I believe I could stay there all day taking pictures of tourists in front of the wall of blossoms. Charleston is a garden at the moment. Enjoy!

Walk with me - Hampton Park

Hampton Park, Charleston, SC 

Charleston is a garden at the moment with azaleas and dogwoods bursting into bloom. Yesterday morning I walked the Hampton Park area roaming all the side streets and up and down Rutledge. It looks peaceful enough in the pictures but lots of people were out enjoying the weather, playing sports and walking their dogs. More rain on the way but yesterday morning was glorious.

Hampton Park

Hampton Park, Charleston, SC  

I spotted this couple walking at Hampton Park this morning. There is something familiar about the gentleman but I can't pin it down.I feel like I've seen him before. Hope they had a nice walk. 

Old Navy Base buildings

North Charleston, SC    

Yesterday's fundraising Walk for Water started at the Riverfront Park in North Charleston this year and led us through the old Navy Base. It is always a treat to see these buildings and to hear recent good news that more of them will be renovated.

Post & Courier: North Charleston City Council signed off on plans to hire an interior design firm to turn a 1898 white cottage in the historic district along the Cooper River into a bed and breakfast. A second bed and breakfast eventually will follow inside a neighboring 1905 home already under renovation. Every step toward completing these projects realizes Mayor Keith Summey's larger vision of turning that part of city into a commercial center where locals and tourists alike can enjoy riverfront views."I want this to be the new downtown of North Charleston," he said Thursday.The city is partnering with the Charleston Naval Complex Redevelopment Authority, where Sean McDonell works as an engineer. The views of the Cooper River are only part of the area's attraction, he said. "Everybody loves to see old homes being renovated," McDonell said. "And they all have some stories behind them." If all goes as planned, Summey said he hopes the area will become popular enough to attract water taxis."Our ultimate goal is to have Montague from 526 all the way to the river," Summey said. "And on the river, become downtown North Charleston."

Walk for Water - 2018

Walk for Water - 2018

The annual Walk for Water was held this morning at the Riverfront Park in North Charleston. Water Missions International's warehouse is on the old Navy base property and the walk took us right through their work site. 4,000 people gathered to raise funds for water purification treatment systems providing clean water around the world.

Playing tourist

Charleston, SC 

I have not fallen off the face of the blogosphere! I've had guests in town and have been enjoying playing tourist in my own town. I've tended to toss a few pictures up on facebook rather than do a blog entry. But, here I am! My niece Bonita and fiance Dalaney rented out their home in Edmonton, Canada, converted an old plumbers van and hit the road exploring the US for up to six months. Follow their adventures on Advantourers.

They arrived in Charleston for the weekend and hit the Cars & Coffee show with their van, St. Patrick's day festivities in Park Circle, Swig & Swine for BBQ, Sunday brunch overlooking the Yorktown aircraft carrier, Second Sunday on King St. and yesterday lunch at Old St. Andrew's Tea Room and Magnolia Plantation Garden and took a walking tour on the peninsula yesterday. It's been a treat to have the company. 

Just a moment

Every moment is a little bit later, Charleston, SC   

I try not to glorify vandalism but this stenciled message has been on this wall for so long I decided the owners must like it. 

Just chillin'

Booze Pops, Charleston, SC   

Well. I'm not sure this was an official part of the Wine & Food Festival but it's one way to get your alcohol.

From US News: His big sellers are watermelon, lemonade and strawberry daiquiris and he has non-alcoholic treats for children."We're trying to make it super-nice," Norris said. "Mom can get her Martini pop and little Jimmy can get a SpongeBob."By selling the treats as food, Norris can go anywhere. Recently, he parked his van in Folly Beach near a wedding party. Norris has kept his van mostly around Charleston, but wants to branch out to Columbia and Myrtle Beach.If the rules change and the Booze Pops van is regulated like an alcohol seller, Norris could only work special events and not wherever he thought he could make money."I'm sure I would have to get some different licensing," he said. "I could still do a lot of the things I do now. I would just have to do it differently."

Hello baby peaches!

Santee, SC   

I hope the chilly temperatures last night didn't hurt the peach blossoms. I spotted this orchard between Eutawville and Santee. Considering the number of peaches grown in South Carolina (more than in George, doncha know?), I don't very often see orchards of blossoms from the road and this was a pretty sight. 

Walk with me - Charles Towne Landing

History Trail, Charleston Towne Landing, Charleston, SC   

Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site sits on a marshy point, located off of the Ashley River, where a group of English settlers landed in 1670 and established what would become the birthplace of the Carolina colony.

My walk this bright sunny day was at Charles Towne Landing which is very close to my house. In a pinch I could walk to it although I'd have to cross too many fast paced streets to make it a pleasure. Luckily it is one of our more reasonable parks to visit. With the animal forest it is popular with young families.

I remember a few years ago an uproar about the totem pole and the possibility that it might be taken down but it had a protective fence around it and appears to have a support structure in place. Well done. Azaleas are starting to pop into bloom but it was a little cool for gator spotting and the good shop Adventure was out for annual maintenance.