Click here for the first post in this series.
Up early this morning with the alarm at 5:30. Didn’t want to chance missing the sunrise. Sunrises here are sometimes spectacular. Not this morning. But still not bad! The photo above taken from just in front of the Aliner.
Dawn is an ideal time to walk on this beach. A little chilly and windy this morning. But that keeps the faint-of-heart in bed. Not many footprints in the sand, recently smoothed by the departing tide.
Here’s an early-morning shot of the Aliner taken from the beach, perched behind the dune fence. Site # 51 here really isn’t bad at all. I’ll have to consider it as an alternative to that favorite, # 39. Especially during the winter months when cold winds will sweep down the coast from the north.
A few of the ocean-front sites have been reserved for tent camping only. Here’s one, occupied by an impressive young couple from Georgia who came to kayak.
Off to the bath house for a shower. It was still quite chilly. Around 48 degrees. Unfortunately, the entrance door of this particular bath house doesn’t close properly, letting in the breeze. That breeze would have been most welcome a few weeks ago. But not this morning!
As it turned out, I should have waited for the maintenance crew to clean up after the weekend rush. Still, there was plenty of good hot water.
These facilities were built some time ago, like those in many of South Carolina’s State Parks, and require a lot of maintenance. They’re still solid, though. Nothing wrong that a good coat of paint and some well placed spackle wouldn’t correct.
Off after the shower and breakfast for a brisk walk around the campground. I may have mentioned the camp store before. It isn’t very large. But they’ve managed to include a few of about anything a camper might have forgotten to bring. Milk, bread, and other staples, of course. Along with the expected souvenirs.
But also things like light bulbs, clothes pins, ropes in various sizes, canned goods and snacks in wide variety. And a surprising array of fishing gear. All arranged on quite limited shelf space. Prices too are maintained in the reasonable range.
When you visit Hunting Island, be sure to take a hike – walk, really – through the Magnolia Forest trail. The trailhead is near the campground entrance on the right hand side as you drive in. I walked this trail during my last visit to Hunting Island, not long before knee surgery. Hobbling along with a stick. So, most anyone the least bit mobile should find it a comfortable route.
The variety of plant life along the way – throughout the park, for that matter – is amazing. Very different from what I’ve seen in other parts of the state. Indeed, even somewhat different from that around Edisto Island, just 10 or so miles by water up the coast. Here’s a photo of well-established vines climbing a tree trunk. I’ve yet to see them in the spring or summer. But the display must be spectacular. Something to look forward to. More on Hunting Island State Park tomorrow.
Click here to go to Part III.
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Excellent write-up, Bob, and those first few photos are absolutely stunning.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tamia. Got a lot to learn about taking photos. But at Hunting Island it's hard not to score every once in a while. Sort of the same principle as blind hogs and acorns, I guess!
ReplyDeleteBob