We were looking into visiting the only tea plantation in America, but it was too far away as there are no roads directly to it from here. But it’s on our list for the next time we’re in the area and can stay a little closer!
Instead, since it was to be a nice, relatively warm (64 degrees) and sunny day, we headed in the direction of Edisto Beach.
On the way, Blaine had found information for a detour to The Grove Plantation. As we ignored the GPS and took back roads, our narrow two-lane paved road, suddenly turned into a sandy Jeep road! This lasted for a bit and then it returned to pavement. Have no idea why the middle wasn’t paved. But it was fun to get back to a little “Jeeping”. 😊
Along the way, we saw wild turkeys, deer, and vultures, all while listening to Christmas music. We have to keep forcing ourselves to think of Christmas, because it sure doesn’t feel like it around here! Nothing seems as hyped up down here as it is in NE Ohio. Plus it’s warm and sunny. And there’s palm trees. And the pines around here are about 100 feet tall and straight with branches only at the top. Certainly not suitable for decorating.
This plantation, built in 1828, was purchased by the US Fish & Wildlife Service in 1992 as part of the ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge. There were rangers working there, but they ignored us, so we ignored them and wandered around on our own.
At one time, it was a large rice plantation.
We took a walk along a couple of the paths they have here, scaring up dozens of large dragonflies, enjoying the moss gently wafting in the breeze . . . It was quite peaceful and lovely. We found the walk near the former rice paddies enjoyable, but to enjoy the other places, I think you’d have to be an AVID bird-watcher. They tout 291 different species and we did see quite a few – but not near that many.
That’s the house back there.
ZZ Top or Duck Dynasty?
Here’s where the dragonflies were.
Now we’re getting into the former rice paddies.
Is that cool or what?
A large turtle shell with the outer part missing.
Based on the debris around, I’d say birds (or other critters) took it apart.
This is a dike through the field.
We weren’t allowed on it. Bummer!
Heading back toward the house
This is what the rest of the trails were like.
Not too interesting.
We didn’t stay very long.
On to the beach!
It’s actually on an island, so you have to cross this bridge to get to it.
Similar to Holden Beach, NC.
Edisto reminded us a bit of Holden Beach where we vacationed for about 25 years. Small. Homey. A few restaurants and businesses. Everything nautically decorated. Houses lining the beach with cute names on them.
This was a State Park and it cost us $10 to be here. At first, we thought the money not well spent, as there was not much where we first parked.
Almost completely empty lot. I think there was one other car.
Tempting Mother Nature
TONS of sea shells, but you’re not allowed to take any or even move them.
After visiting the beach and enjoying the small, but crashing waves, we walked through the campground and chose our future site! Number 42. It will be lovely! A nice wide, relatively private site with a view of the intercoastal and all the birds there. Very serene!
Here’s a partial view from “our” site!
And a couple views of the rest of the campground.
Shortly after, we discovered that there was another area of the Park down the road.
This is where the Visitor Center was. We took in a movie and a 4-mile walk. There’s no hiking around here. Everything is flat. It’s a walk. Usually a sandy walk. Complete with a palm tree forest. And squirrels. It’s weird seeing squirrels and palm trees together. . .
This is the Edisto River that flows into the Ocean.
This is the same river we kayaked from our campground the other day.
The other end of the 300 mile winding river.
Here’s the answer to our Black Water question!
The reason the leaves in this river turn it black and not other rivers.
You can’t tell, but this thing was humongous!
Getting a taste for fishing
This little guy is a terrapin. He was very active!
Back to the river at a different boat dock.
We could’ve kayaked here, but it was waaaaay too windy!
Back on the trail
More views of the river as it winds its way around
Yes, I had to put my jacket on.
The sun was setting. It was getting cooler very quickly.
We had dinner at The Sea Cow. They sell the visors I’ve been looking for, but as Blaine pointed out, do I really want to walk around with a hat that says, “Sea Cow” on it??
Dinner was VERY good! But the place badly needed some upkeep. And we were the only ones there! Of course, we have to keep in mind that we were early (4:30pm), and we’re on the beach in December. Very few of the houses appeared to have anyone in them.
New things tonight?
Grits with cheese – good, but consistency was like thick oatmeal.
Beer Battered Fries – good, too. Very crispy.
We had the flounder and scallops broiled, the shrimp and oysters fried. EXCELLENT!