Sesqui State Park’s New Lake Trail on a Foggy Morning

South Carolina’s Sesquicentennial State Park here in Columbia recently made major improvements to the two-mile or so trail around the lake. Some of the trail, near the office and picnic area, is paved as you see above.

Most of the trail, however, looks more like this. For me, this is a more comfortable walking surface.

Yesterday morning it was unusually foggy here in the Midlands of South Carolina. An ideal time to tramp around in the woods.

Here are a few photos from that foggy morning walk presented in a short video. Enjoy.

Return to Chester State Park, South Carolina

I know; I know. Been here several times before. But this really is one of South Carolina’s nicest State Parks. What a change during the last couple of years! Note the tow vehicle on site # 4 above. Had to trade in my beloved elderly Town Car for a Toyota Tundra truck. Quite a change, but it was time. [click photos for larger view]

The display you see in the photo above is just one example of the work being done here. It’s the original Chester State Park sign made by the CCC crew who created the Park. Park Manager John Wells and assistant Brandon Bowers happened across it while cleaning out a storage shed. I first saw it a few months ago as a “project in progress.” Now this historic sign hangs on the wall of the Park office building. Another “Low Buck; High Bang” project that only cost some thought and elbow grease, as we used to say OverHome.

Chester State Park also has a new brochure. Or new since I was last here, anyway. One of the shiny four-panel kind with the maps and locations of nearby useful services. Everything from groceries to fish bait! Be sure to pick up a copy in the office next time you visit.

 

This sight greeted me one evening as I walked along the lakeside trail. Two folks fishing from the boat house pier.

And scenery like this isn’t unusual at Chester. Here’s another snapshot I took during a walk along the lakeside trail earlier the same day. These trails are an ElderHiker’s delight.

Lots more going on here at Chester State Park. Here’s another of John’s and Brandon’s in-house building projects. (This one will become a dumpster screen). But none of it detracts from the sense of peace and natural beauty available here just for the price of admission. So, be sure to stop in and stay a few days next time your travels take north or south on I-77. It’s just a few minutes away.

Picnic Table Innovation at Cheraw State Park

Here for a few days again at Cheraw State Park. Still one of the nicest Parks in the State system. Hoping to dip a paddle in Juniper Lake later on today.

But meantime, here’s an interesting innovation. Well, new to me, anyway. Octagonal picnic tables. Just one of the “High Bang; Low Buck” projects carried out here since my last visit. These folks don’t let state-wide budget tightening get them down.

Table Rock State Park

Table Rock is another of those South Carolina mountain state parks that amaze first-time visitors. Especially those from afar [that’s the polite way to say “… from off … “] whose image of South Carolina combines the I-95 interstate corridor with the Myrtle Beach boardwalk.

We began last Monday with the CCC-built Table Rock Lodge. Recently renovated and maintained in pristine condition. If you visit on a day it hasn’t been rented out for a wedding or corporate meeting, be sure to walk around to the back and enjoy the views from the lower and upper porches. Those rocking chairs actually are comfortable!

We then drove the Park’s winding road, stopping here and there to enjoy the views. Here’s the “table” and “stool” from a convenient overlook. Think what that will look like in ten days or so, when the leaves have turned!

I could go on and on about Table Rock State Park. And have! Several times! But it’s all true. If you haven’t visited this part of South Carolina be sure to include it in your next trip agenda. You won’t be disappointed.

Off to Cheraw State Park again next trip.

Visit to Caesars Head State Park

Hello again from CarolinaConsidered. Apologies for the lack of posts the past couple of months. And thanks for all the e-mail inquiries.

No, I haven’t passed from the scene. Just been over-involved in another writing project. Which I’ve pursued at the expense of CarolinaConsidered. Poor time management and planning!

Don’t laugh now. This new project is a novel. My first venture into book-length fiction writing. After all these years! The first Very rough draft is done, and I’ve begun the first of what likely will be two complete rewrites. The novel is set in present-day South Carolina, somewhere between Charleston and the I-95 corridor. Sort of an RV travel mystery. When it’s done I plan to publish it as an e-book on Amazon. Will let you know.

Monday morning we decided to visit Caesars Head and Table Rock State Parks for a look at the mountain scenery. It was a little early for full autumn color, but still beautiful.

Here’s a short video of the impressive Visitors Center. Nice place to stop.

Fog was heavy on the mountains when we arrived. A beautiful sight in itself. Then suddenly the fog cleared and bright sunshine flooded the whole scene. Have a look here:

After a couple of hours at Caesars Head we drove to Table Rock State Park. More on that visit in another post.