Plantation View

This would have been the view from the home at Middleton Plantation.  The original home is gone but was perched at the top of this gentle rise.  You can see the Ashley River and to the right is the mill house pictured below.  The little ponds are called the Butterfly Lakes. 

Plantations

Down by the Ashley River are the old rice fields and the mill house of Middleton Plantation.  This view is of one of the ponds on the property with the Ashley River behind.

Plantations

Now is a great time to visit one of the lowcountry plantations.  This is Middleton Plantation, perched majestically above the Ashley River for all to see when you come around the bend in the river - and that is how most people arrived when Middleton was in it's hay day.  I love the plantations so much.  If you want to see more, please click HERE.

Pete the Pelican

Please meet Pete, who greets everyone who is entering the Shem Creek Park Boardwalk.  This wonderful new park is in Mount Pleasant, just across the bridge from Charleston. Isn't he fascinating?

"From the tires at the base of the sculpture, to his bottle-capped beak, Pete the Pelican is covered by marine trash to raise awareness of the ever-growing problem of marine debris and how it affects local waterways and sea life.

Pete provides a glimpse of the trash that pervades coastal waterways. Trash that gets into the ocean eventually ends up ashore or trapped in ocean currents in a huge whirlpool created by converging currents.

These current convergences, or gyres, are places where garbage and wildlife both gather. Mixed with the seaweed are fragments of plastic which can entangle and hurt wildlife. When the plastic degrades and becomes brittle, it breaks down into smaller particles that are ingested by wildlife.

Did you know that according to the Ocean Conservancy, the top six items listed on the International Coastal Cleanup’s 2011 Marine Debris report include cigarettes, plastic beverage bottles, plastic bags, caps, food wrappers and plastic dinnerware?"

Read more by clicking HERE.

Givhans Ferry State Park

This gorgeous park, located in Ridgeville, SC, overlooks the Edisto River.

"A natural retreat in the Lowcountry woods, Givhans Ferry State Park sits at the end of the 21-mile long stretch of Edisto River kayaking paradise known as the Edisto River kayak and canoe trail that begins at Colleton State Park.

The Edisto is the longest free-flowing, blackwater river in North America, and glimpses of it can be seen from the bluffs outside the rustic, Givhans Ferry State Park cabins, as well as from the back porch of Riverfront Hall, a group gathering facility. A shaded campground, nature trail and picnic shelters are also available at the park.

Enjoy Edisto River kayaking and canoeing, trails, fishing and more at Givhans Ferry State Park. Cabins and campsites are available–reserve yours today!"

Hidden Door

A well hidden door found in a mural on a well hidden alley in North Charleston.
Linked to Oakland Daily Photo

Shrimp Boats

Early morning on Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant.  What a way to begin a day!

Ben Sawyer Bridge

This is the Ben Sawyer Bridge that connects Sullivan's Island to Mount Pleasant.  We used to travel the Intracoastal Waterway in our sailboat and we waited for many a bridge to open before we could pass.  I always get a little nostalgic  whenever we are on a bridge waiting for boats to go through.

Pretty in Blue

Downtown Charleston always has the best flowers!

Please Help Me Identify This Plant!

I thought this plant was so cool and maybe after it blooms I will recognize it but I have no idea what it is.  Can someone help me!

Pecan Trees

I have to wonder how old these magnificent pecan trees are.

Country Road

I always wonder where these little country roads go and what is at the end of them.

Dragonfly

And while we are on the subject of Dragonflies - This one is pure GOLD!! Found at Middleton Plantation.

Dragonfly

This Dragonfly is dressed to match the plant he was visiting.  Beautiful isn't he?

Boardwalk

The boardwalk in Georgetown is a must if you are anywhere near.  We make the trip several times a year...have lunch, have dinner or just get an ice cream or as cold drink.  Winter or summer or in between, it is fun!

Palmetto Isles Park

This was taken at the Palmetto Isles Park in Mount Pleasant - a park that is hidden behind a housing development.  It is such a surprise to find views like this one there!  It is a wonderful park!

Mimosas

I don't seem to ever notice mimosa trees until they bloom and then - wow!  They are magnificent! I am seeing them everywhere now!

Caw Caw County Park Rice Fields

Caw Caw County Park is mostly about the old rice fields and the slaves who worked the fields - a quarter acre at a time.  I really can't imagine working in those conditions.  The heat, the sun, the rain and mostly - the bugs!

And, OK, I said in the last post that it was shady the whole time and I lied.  But it mostly is.  This area is just a short un-sheltered walk.

Caw Caw County Park

This would be the perfect park to enjoy during summer as it was so shady the whole time.  Wonderful, wonderful place!  Go visit!

Beach Day

Early morning but these chair are already in place and waiting for the day to begin!

Colorful House

Not a very typical Charleston house but fun and colorful all the same!