Stamp: 10: Hunting Island State Park

Stamp# 10

Hunting Island Lighthouse

Hunting Island State Park is our second park visit today on Day 2 of our road trip in our journey to becoming #UltimateOutsiders by visiting all 47 SC state parks. Hunting Island is just across the estuary from Edisto Beach, but since there is no bridge across, and there's just one main road into Edisto and just one main road into Hunting Island, we had to drive back 40 miles NW out of Edisto and then 40 miles back SE into Hunting Island. The 1.5 hour drive was a nice rest from our nature trail & beach walk, and our snake encounter in Edisto!

We made it to the top!

Marty and I have visited Hunting Island Sate Park before, maybe 2 years ago. One of my favorite parts of this state park is the historic lighthouse. It was rebuilt in 1875 after the original lighthouse was destroyed during the Civil War. It was moved inland 1.3 miles in 1889 after severe beach erosion occurred. For an additional $3 fee, visitors can climb 175 steps to the observation deck for panoramic views of the beach and park. Be sure to bring plenty of water for this strenuous climb to the top of the lighthouse. But the views are worth it!

Beach erosion

Another favorite feature of this park is the 5 miles of beach along the Atlantic ocean.  A few campsites are available within view of the beach. At the time of our visit, bulldozers were busy with construction around those campsites and the oceanfront campground restroom was closed for repairs. Campers were on site, but it didn't seem to be a very peaceful place to camp today! Along a section of the beach between the lighthouse and campsites is a forest of trees damaged by beach erosion. The bleached, downed trees are a sad reminder of the harsh realities of hurricanes and other storms along the coastline.

We walked along the beach and enjoyed the beautiful, sunny weather, watched a family fly a kite and a man fishing in the ocean, and took a few pictures among the beached trees. It was a peaceful afternoon.

Hunting Island State Park is a beautiful park with lots to see and do. I'd love to camp here one day  (when I get a camper & after they finish construction!).

One of the beach accesses

Rating: *****
Entrance fee: $5 each
Restrooms: clean, oceanfront restroom in campground closed for repairs
Parking: plentiful
Rangers: available
Trails: marsh boardwalk , nature trails, 5 miles of beach

Park stamp!

Amenities: camping, group camping area, education center, picnic shelters, Lighthouse, gift shop, playground, beach volleyball court 
Park Stamp: See park ranger in visitor's center (best stamp yet!)

Stamp #9: Edisto Beach Sate Park

Stamp #9!

After walking 15,190 steps through three state parks yesterday, we decided it was time for a break. We ate dinner at Paige's Okra Grill in Mount Pleasant, then checked into our room at the Fairfield Inn in North Charleston. The updated hotel was clean and reviews gave it a "superb" rating. We arrived just in time for the last 30 minutes of the manager's reception. We ordered drinks, but could not access any snacks since a large group of men were surrounding a nearby TV yelling at a televised card game. So we took our drinks to the couch, but it was situated in front of a large group of senior citizens who were awaiting the Villanova basketball game and were enthusiastically and loudly discussing their pick for the win. Wore out from our adventure that day, we decided to take our drinks to our quiet room so we could relax. Unfortunately, we were given a double room instead of the king we reserved. Both beds were hard and uncomfortable as sleeping on box spring mattresses would be. Sometimes, there's no rest for the weary! I won't be giving this place a "superb" rating!

Edisto Beach access

On day two of our road trip to becoming #UltimateOutsiders, we grabbed a Chick Fil A chicken biscuit after checking out of our room, and headed 46 miles south to the 4th state park on this trip: Edisto Beach State Park. Edisto Beach state park, made up of 1,255 acres, is divided into two sections. The wooded area on the salt marsh is where 7 cabins  are located. The oceanfront section of the park is 1.5 miles from the wooded section. This is where campers will enjoy the oceanfront and marsh view campsites along with a picnic area and beach access.  Edisto Beach seems to be a popular place to camp since all campsites were already booked when we planned our trip last month. (Hence the hotel stay!)

After getting stamped in the Ranger Station in the wooded section, we made our way to the  oceanfront section. We walked along the beach that borders Edisto Beach State Park, took a few selfies, then opted for a walk along a nature trail. Here, along the nature trail, is where we encountered our first snake of the season! It was a small green snake, but scary nonetheless as it slithered quickly by in front of us on the trail. I learned today that I'm on my own when it comes to snakes! Marty nearly jumped back six feet and let me continue on the path without warning! I almost stepped on the snake! 

We took a walk through the camping area and picked out our future campsite. I think I have Marty talked into buying us a small camper soon! The campground is lovely and peaceful and the bathhouses are clean and well-maintained. I definitely want to visit Edisto State Park again (with a new camper!)

Oceanfront picnic area

Rating: ****
Entrance fee: $5 each
Restrooms: clean
Parking: plentiful
Rangers: friendly & available at ranger station & entrance gate
Trails: nature trails, beach access
Amenities: wooded & oceanfront camping, education center, picnic shelters, beach access, boat ramp, boating, playground, bath houses, gift shop, Bache Monument, ancient shell midden  
Park Stamp: Located on counter in coffee cup in ranger station in wooded park section. Also, another stamp is located in box on sign in oceanfront picnic area.

Stamp #8: Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site

Stamp #8: Colonial Dorchester

St. George's Anglican Church Bell Tower

Today has been a day full of history on our road trip to become #UltimateOutsiders. Just a 30 minute drive from our second stop, Charles Town Landing, is our third stop: Colonial Dorchester. This site is located near the Summerville area of Charleston, SC. It's a 325 acre historical site that features just a few remains of the town of Dorchester that existed before the Revolutionary War. What remains today are the walls of Fort Dorchester, made of an oyster shell "tabby", the brick bell tower of the St. George's Anglican Church, and the parish cemetery. An interpretive trail educates visitors about the colony. Reenactments are held periodically at the park.

Rating: **

Fort Dorchester cannon

Entrance fee: $2 each
Restrooms: not clean, plumbing construction underway
Parking: plentiful
Rangers: none available, ranger residence at entrance
Trails: short nature trail
Amenities: picnic shelter, interpretive trail, Ranger programs  
Park Stamp: Located in box on sign near parking area.

Stamp #7 Charles Towne Landing Sate Historic Site

Stamp #7 Charles Town Landing

Turtle greeting

Next on our Spring Break road trip on our journey to become #UltimateOutsiders is a visit to Charles Towne Landing Sate Historic Site. This park is just one hour from our first stop, Hampton Plantation, and is located in Charleston, SC. Charles Town Landing first opened as a State Park in 1970 and was rebuilt in 2006 to feature the historic side of the Carolina colony. Many interpretive signs on the self-guided trail describe life in 1670 when English settlers landed here and created the plantation system of the American South. The well-maintained park features an original settlement, cannons, archaeology exhibits, a Native American Ceremonial Site, an African-American cemetery, the Legare-Waring House, an animal forest, and much more.

camellias along the trail

After getting stamped in the visitor's center, we began a walking tour of the landing. We regretted not having our bikes on this trip since the paths are paved and wide enough for bike riding. Bike rentals are available in the visitor's center for $5 an hour. A few turtles sun bathing on a log in the pond greeted us as we began our self-guided walking tour.

We started with the history walking tour first. We walked through the original settlement to view cannons, common house, the stocks, "Adventure" ship, and more. The history trail passed the Avenue of Oaks (my favorite part) and led to the Legare-Waring House and Mrs. Waring's Garden. Along the trail we encountered an alligator sunning beside the pond! The history Trail led to the English Garden trail which circles the house. The Legare-Waring House is only open for wedding and special events. Azaleas and camellias were blooming in the garden.

Palisade Wall with cannons

Avenue of Oaks

Tour the "Adventure"

Alligator near the trail

The park features a nice picnic area and an animal forest trail that leads to the Animal Forest zoo. Also, a open-air, multi-passenger golf cart shuttle service is available throughout the park. The park is a must-see when visiting the Charleston area. It's kid-friendly and great for a beautiful walk through history. Don't forget to make a smash penny in the visitor's center!

Smash penny

Rating: ***** (best park so far!)
Entrance fee: $10 adults, $6 kids 6-15, free 5 years & younger
Restrooms: clean
Parking: plentiful
Rangers: available in visitor's center and throughout the park
Trails: History trail, animal forest trail, English garden trail, nature trail
Amenities: educational programs, picnic area, gift shop, Adventure ship to explore, animal zoo, English garden, Original English settlement, bike rental, & smash penny machine
Park Stamp: See park ranger in visitor's center.

Stamp #6: Hampton Plantation State Historic Site

Stamp #6

Hampton Plantation

It's Spring Break so we're taking a road trip to visit a few more state parks on our journey to become #UltimateOutsiders. Our first stop on this trip is Hampton Plantation State Historic Site. This site is located between Georgetown, SC and Charleston, SC near McClellanville. It's location is well-marked just off Hwy 17. This historic site consists of 274 acres of what remains of a Colonial-era rice plantation. Interpretive signs educate visitors about slavery and the freed people who helped build the plantation. The park rangers schedule plantation house tours a few times per day for a small fee. The next tour was not until a few hours later. We had a road trip to get back to so we opted out of the tour.

Short boardwalk over creek

A short nature trail leads to the remaining rice fields and loops back to the plantation house. The main features of the trail is interpretive signs describing life on the plantation, a short boardwalk over a creek, and ancient live oak trees on the property.

Camellia blooms in garden

A garden of azalea bushes, dogwood trees, and camellias sits behind the Plantation house. Several paths weave through an impressive amount of flowering trees and bushes, however, the brick-lined path is not well-maintained and the bushes seemed overgrown. We missed the peak blooms, but there were still a few flowers to enjoy. A little loving care and maintenance would surely bring this garden back to it's former glory. One of the garden paths leads down to the creek that runs through the property. There are benches to enjoy the scenery and peacefulness of the area.                                       
A massive oak stands tall in front of the plantation house. A plaque placed by DAR names the oak the George Washington Oak. According to the plaque, Washington visited the plantation in 1791 and "saved" this oak tree. That makes this oak more than 227 years old. I'm so glad Washington saved the tree. I love big oaks and I cannot lie!

Washington Oak

             
Rating: **
Entrance fee: none
Restrooms: clean
Parking: plentiful
Rangers: available in shop
Trails: small boardwalk, short nature trail
Amenities: gift shop, interpretive education, plantation house tours, garden, creek access  
Park Stamp: Located in box on sign near restroom