The best time for hiking in South Carolina is late fall when the bug population is less aggressive, and the heat and humidity somewhat tamed. The longest trail in the Palmetto State is ...
which stretches 500 miles from the Blue Ridge Mountains, through forests and swamps, through Awendaw just down Hwy 17 from us, to the sea.
We were inspired by a Department of Natural Resources employee who gave a program at the library. About our age, he had recently completed the 500 mile hike by hiking 2 or 3 day sections over a period of two years. We loved his stories and fantasized about doing something similar ourselves.
While that remains a fantasy, on a recent November Sunday we visited a section near the southern finish of the trail in the Francis Marion National Forest.
This section follows Awendaw Creek. The wide path winds along a rice dike (a walkway created by slaves for transportation of rice from these old rice fields) and makes a turn to the right to follow the tree line at the top of the photo above. It follows the dike to the Intracoastal Waterway, where it turns north into the woods, then south again to a pretty national forest campground, a distance of four miles. (See the moon way up there, at 1 o'clock in the afternoon?)
It was so absolutely still and peaceful, even the birds were completely silent. The day was warm and the sun heating the pine needles cushioning the path sent up a glorious perfume with each step.
Every great journey starts with one step. I look forward to hearing about your ventures along this trail.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the walk. Fantasies do sometimes come true, you know.
ReplyDeleteI would like to take a walk like this. I like the part where you talk about the pine needles as a cushion for your step. Like to hear more.
ReplyDeleteI made a mistake on the color of the paint and glad you asked about the color. It's repose gray, not repurpose gray. Thank you for visiting.
betsy
Saw the moon.
ReplyDeleteNice to go for a walk in the bush on a lovely day.
Take up the hiking challenge. You discovered when it is the most comfortable time.
ReplyDeleteThat looks very nice for a walk. The boards were used when the floods came in?
ReplyDeleteDear Cynthia, I just find myself envying you--which is not a usual emotion for me. For years I wanted too hike the entire Appalachian Trial from Main down into the southern states--over 2,000 miles. I never found anyone who wanted to do it with me. Then, to celebrate my 80th year, I wanted to walk just 100 of the miles--maybe in Pennsylvania. But once again, no one wanted to accompany me and the orthopedic doctor need the idea because of my knees. But, oh, the dream still rests in my heart. I'm so glad you got to do this four miles. Wonderful. Peace.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a lovely walk - nice and level. I'm sure the entire trail is not as gentle.
ReplyDeleteAs to our question about the boards - I have no idea.
No idea about the boards and what they are used for. Looks like a really nice day to be out and about!
ReplyDeleteTook a walk the other day although I should had warmer clothes on.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on
Hello Cynthia: You have done a fine job in describing this. The level of joy you experienced comes right through in your words. I was quite entranced.
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