The Spring House

I took so many pictures of this old Spring House and I do each time I am at Middleton.  It is so picturesque.  So, you are lucky that I have chose to share only a few of them!

This is the classic view of the Spring House as you approach it on your tour. The lower level is where they kept food items that needed to be kept cool.  No refrigeration like we have.

I liked this upside down Spring house with all the turtles crawling around it.

And some different panoramas.  I couldn't help it.  It was beautiful from so many angles!

I hope you enjoyed them as much as I did!!

Pink and Moss

I could not get enough of this tree on our recent trip to Middleton Place.  Just look at it!  Magnificent pink blooms, no leaves and dripping with Spanish moss.  Stark beauty!  Someone please tell me what the tree is!!

Middleton Place Gardens

We took a winter trip to Middleton Place this past weekend.  They were running a special for local folk - $10 admission instead of the usual $25.  We couldn't pass that up, especially with the warm winter we are having.  The day was perfect - warm and sunny.  So unusual for this time of year. 

What amazed me the most about this visit was how beautiful it was even in the dead of winter.  It will take me a couple of weeks to share all the pictures I got.  We were early and the light was wonderful.  Just look at what greeted as we entered the gardens.

 The camellias grow like trees here.  These grew right next to the tree that is covered with Spanish Moss so the moss has mixed with the camellias.  I love the effect of it!  And look at that sky.  It was an awesome day!

Colonial Dorchester State Park

We visited Colonial Dorchester yesterday.  It is located near Summerville and we had never ventured that direction so off we went - and Jake got to go too.  It is a beautiful place - even in the dead of winter.

If you want the full history, I think this is a good site to visit as it really is interesting.  It was first settled in 1676 and later became the town Dorchester.  During the Revolutionary War the Brittish took control of the town and all the South Carolinians left and went to Summerville.  The town was never rebuilt after that time.

All that is left is the beautiful Bell Tower, the walls of the gunpowder magazine and the tombstones.

The walls were built of "Tabby" which is a mix of lime, oyster shells and sand.  It must be good stuff as it has stood for all these years.

My View This Morning

I took these pictures from the parking lot at work this morning just as I arrived. I really think it was a little better while I was waiting at the light at the foot of the freeway but I couldn't get a good picture from there. It was a gorgeous beginning to my day!

And believe it or not, when I looked the other way, this is what I saw.  It really was an awesome morning.

Shem Creek Park

We have been here before.  I know, but maybe you have forgotten about it!  Actually, the truth is that even though we have been there before - I got new pictures of a familiar place.  I don't care...I have fun taking pictures no matter what!  The picture above is one of my all time favorites as it has the tidal creek, marsh and the Arthur Ravenal Bridge all in one picture!  Love that!  I think that the Arthur Ravenal Bridge is one of the best ever!

 And I know, I have talked about the long docks before too! Click HERE if you don't believe me!
But just click on one of these pictures to enlarge it and tell me where there are longer docks!

And a view of another long dock across the bay.

I love this picture of a beautiful home right there on the marsh looking out to the bay and the ocean. I tried to play a game with Kirby about "Wouldn't you just love to live there?" but he just couldn't get over the cost of re-roofing, heating, electric and painting  to be any fun at all. Never mind, Kirby! I love this house anyway!

Mount Pleasant Park Day

I LOVE Mount Pleasant!  We really have so much right here to enjoy on a warm winter day!  We were early by most people's standards - we hit the park before 10 am.  And just look at this sky!

The whole park was built on land that would have gone wasted as it is directly under the bridge heading over to Charleston. They have built a fishing dock (no dogs allowed) with swings and there is even a gift shop with a kitchen that serves sandwiches!

There really is LAND - as you can see here - That is Kirby and Jake.  Jake was IN LOVE with this park!  Probably because dogs are allowed and the sniffs were fantastic for him.

We could even see the Yorktown in the distance.

And there is a pretty ( but sad) lady standing guard over it all.

Waterfront Park, Mount Pleasant

We didn't have to go quite so far from home today to enjoy an outing.  Waterfront Park is right here in Mount Pleasant.  The whole park is built under the Arthur Ravenal Bridge that connects Mt. Pleasant to Charleston. We were early, the sky was clear and it wasn't cold.  Two weekends in a row with nice weather!  I can handle this!

More to come.

Winter Swamp Walk

I did manage to find my way out of the forest.  And just as I was about to give up on flowers, I spotted an old mammoth Camilla bush that looked like a tree it was so big.  It had a few blooms on it but not too many as it was in a totally wild area...not fertilized, pruned or pampered by man but natural!

When I saw the headstones I knew exactly where I was.  I think I have even posted a picture of Lula's stone before.  I love this old cemetery and make up stories about the people buried there every time I visit.  Do you see here that Ezekiel just couldn't live without his Lula...he died the next year.  She was only 50 years old.  He robbed the cradle....she was 12 his junior.

Thanks for coming with me on this outing!  I hope you enjoyed it too!

And More of the Winter Swamp Garden

As I left the ducks I noticed a marked trail that went into the forest right next to the pond. I had never seen it before and didn't know where it went - but it couldn't be too scary as I was at Magnolia Gardens - right?? Surely it would come out at some desirable place. Well, I have lived with Kirby long enough to know that I HAD to do this! And was I ever glad that I did. It turned out to be a short trail that is not on any of the literature nor is it on any maps or information boards that I have seen. But it was clearly marked and well kept up. Come along with me.... it was really fun!

There were a few areas that had raised boardwalk but most of the trail was just well maintained DIRT.

The trail ran right along the side of the pond so it was very swampy.

Winter was in full bloom with the carpet of leaves.

One spot was not "well maintained" but I managed to get around it!

Winter in the Swamp

And - picking up where we left off....I walked another circle because I wasn't ready to quit and go home and then I decided to deviate from our normal route. that was a really good plan!

Ah, the pine cones! And pine cones with Spanish moss on them at that!  I never ever tire of views like this!  Nor do I tire of views like the one below.  I had walked by here earlier and seen the alligator...this time it was just pure pretty!

And this picture I took just because it entertained me.  I pretended there was an alligator....do you see him?  And that mossie thing is some critter in the water.  Anyway - I was just having fun!

And then I found the ducks.  These are green winged teals.  The male above and the female below.  (If I am wrong, then someone PLEASE correct me!)

There were lots and lots of them!  And more than the picture couldn't capture. They were feeding on the Duck Weed - that is the green stuff on the water.  It is not algae which I thought it was for a long time.

I couldn't see these guys well enough to even guess at what they are but they certainly didn't like me being there and I was quiet - but obviously not quiet enough!