A Visit to Barnwell County, South Carolina

No visit to Barnwell County, South Carolina, is complete without a stop at Barnwell State Park. Park Manager Eddie Richburg and his crackerjack crew maintain the Park’s acreage and extensive facilities in top condition.

Last week I was able to spend a few days with the Aliner parked on one of Barnwell’s “full hook-up” sites. Level as a platter of – well, of water -- these full-hook-up sites feature both 50-amp electricity and sewer connections. In other words, they’re made to accommodate even those large motorhomes we often see. The Barton camp host family arrived during my second day. A great addition to Park Manager Richburg’s crew. Hope they can stay for a while.

More good news! In addition to Barnwell’s hiking, fishing, conference/picnic facilities, cabins, and peaceful campground, Swimming is Back! A decade or so ago, only few South Carolina State Parks maintained their swimming facilities. Now, more seem to be coming back. Barnwell is one. Good news for folks who don’t have country club memberships or live near large towns.

Did you know Barnwell is one of South Carolina’s original sixteen CCC state parks? I didn’t. Here’s a closer look at the informational sign in front of the Park Office.

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Magnolia Blossoms in Spring Valley, Columbia SC

Why are magnolia trees like wind chimes?
Both are best enjoyed in a neighbor’s yard.
Magnolia trees are beautiful. But when their leaves fall they make quite a mess. Wind chimes are a delight to hear. But they’re best appreciated from a distance. Making them the ideal gift for a neighbor.
Here’s a short video featuring the blossoms of the remarkable magnolia tree.

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Ridgeway South Carolina on a Sunday Afternoon

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We paid another visit to historic Ridgeway, South Carolina, early Sunday afternoon. That’s the spire of the old town hall building you see above, next to Ruff Furniture. Right on the main drag, Palmer Street. Be sure to mind those 25 mph signs as you drive through, now!

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Carol Allen of Laura’s Tea Room mentioned “The Old Station Restaurant and Produce” in one of her recent newsletters, and we hoped to have a look.

The Old Station’s not far, on the other side of the tracks. Just down from the New Town Hall. Be sure while you’re there to have a look at that impressive building when you visit.

In the event, the restaurant and produce shop were closed when we arrived. Next time, maybe. Looks interesting. A fine example of innovation and ingenuity.

Undeterred, we wandered back up to Palmer Street, headed toward Laura’s Tea Room for a nice pot of tea and a sandwich in the deli. On the way we passed one of the new litter baskets you see in the photo above. A minor detail, perhaps. But one that illustrates Ridgeway’s forward motion. This town is a determined beneficiary rather than victim of its history.

Thing is, you have to pass The Cotton Yard to reach Laura’s Tea Room. And it’s near-impossible to just pass by without going in. See that small oak rocking chair in the lower left corner? Well, that followed us home. In the back seat of the truck! Here’s a short Cotton Yard video:

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The Cotton Yard thoroughly investigated, we crossed Palmer Street to Laura’s Tea Room.

Look at this. Carol Allen has arranged an impressive WWII memorial display in her right front window. Lots of photos and memorabilia Take time for a careful look. In anticipation of Ridgeway’s June 6 commemoration of D-Day. Click here for details. These folks go all-out.

We both had a terrific sandwich and pot of tea downstairs in the café this time, rather than High Tea upstairs. I think Carol has revised the café menu again. More choices. And somehow she manages to keep the prices well below what we’d expect to pay. Got to ask her about those recent changes when she can find the time to sit down for another interview. That’s one busy lady!

So, there you have it. Another delightful afternoon in Ridgeway, South Carolina. A small South Carolina town determined to make your visit a pleasure.

Interview with Bird House Creator Extraordinaire, Brian Baldwin of Ridgeway, South Carolina

Where does “craft” leave off and “art” begin?
Last Friday we drove from Columbia to Camden, South Carolina, for another lunch at the Palmetto Coffee Shoppe. Outstanding sandwiches, coffee, and dessert. With the added attraction of Mr. Jeff Clark performing right in the dining room. What a treat!

On the way to and from Camden we passed an early model pickup parked beside Route One.

Both times we passed by the truck had attracted quite a crowd, covered as it was with unusually shaped bird houses. We weren’t in the market for another bird house. But after sitting at home for less than five minutes I couldn’t resist a return visit.
So, back down Route One to have a closer look. Well, I got to see the bird houses and also got to meet Mr. Brian Baldwin, their creator. Here’s a short interview with him and a few more photos.

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As he explains in the video, Mr. Baldwin maintains neither an e-mail address nor a web site.
His snail-mail address is:
“64 Settlers Drive, Ridgeway, South Carolina 29130”
But it’s probably easier to reach him by calling:
Home: 803-272-5962
Cell: 803-337-6070
Keep on the lookout for Mr. Baldwin and his remarkable creations as you drive South Carolina’s highways. Be sure to stop.

Spring Visit to the Gardens of Columbia South Carolina’s Robert Mills House

Late in March I drove downtown to visit Columbia’s Robert Mills House. It’s open Tuesdays through Saturdays each week for guided tours, and I hadn’t been for more than twenty years.

[A full-sized version of each photo is available with a click of your mouse.]

Well, come to find out, photographs aren’t allowed inside the house. A sensible precaution when displaying delicate antiques. But a house tour without photos didn’t make much sense for this blog. Instead, since I was already there, I wandered around the springtime garden.

That was the first of two visits to enjoy this remarkable green space smack dab in the middle of downtown Columbia. What a display! I’ve got to find out more about how this complex facility is managed and maintained.

I don’t know enough about gardens or gardening to write sensibly about it. So, here are a few photos to give you a hint of the treat in store should your travels bring you to or near downtown Columbia.

The house is impressive even from the outside. Surrounding trees have had time adequate to grow to the point they look as if they belong. They’ve all been skillfully pruned and maintained.

This is the rear of the house. No wonder Columbia’s Robert Mills House has become a popular venue for weddings. During my last visit workmen were erecting an enormous tent for such an event just to the right of the tree you see above.


Blossoms vary according to time of year, of course. That’s a plum tree at peak bloom beside the carriage house. And here are a few of the more impressive examples in bloom during one of my visits.



There were many more, but time was limited.

Shrubs and hedges too have been beautifully designed and maintained throughout the gardens. Who in the world does all of the work? I’ll have to find out.


Benches like these are scattered throughout the grounds. They’re much more comfortable for ElderVisitors than the usual stone slabs. Stone slabs are impressive. But not very comfortable. I took full advantage!

So, there you have it. A few glimpses of the wonders of the gardens surrounding Columbia’s Robert Mills House. That, I believe, is the Hampton-Preston Mansion just across the street. An adventure for another day.