Why central South Carolina? A National Park not yet seen – Congaree. Of course there was the obligatory lunch stop on the way. MiniMagic found a nice little park under a very interesting bridge over the Brunswick River – –
Nice lunch spot.
Then, on to the main attraction. Congaree NP is a land of towering trees in a floodplain forest, which like so many of our forests, was almost lost. Thanks to efforts of Harry Hampton this 27,000 acres became the Congaree NP a recent as 1976.
It is possible that the Congaree River will overflow its banks several times a year. When it does, its waters flow into this floodplain with moisture and nutrients that provide the ingredients for a unique ecosystem of plants and animals. Especially the recipe for ‘champion trees’ (one that is judged to be the largest of its species and native or naturalized to the US). A fabulous 2.4 mile boardwalk is provided to explore the park.
Wandering into the “swamp” full of Champion Trees.
The Bald Cypress that make Congaree home, have a broad base and complex root system to help hold them steady during the floods. They also have little ‘shoots’ off their root system called ‘knees’. The exact function of the knees is not known, but it is thought they might be part of the stabilization system.
A plethora of cypress knees.
The level of the water when the Congaree River floods can be quite high and it can rise rapidly. We would not want to be here at that time, as the moss on the trees marks that level and it is higher than G is tall!!
Yikes!! Water levels higher than G’s 6’2″ frame.
Didn’t see a lot of wildlife (other than mosquitos!!) – but these guys were interesting – –
A young turtle alongside the larger parent.
The land within Congaree NP has a long and varied past going back to almost 10,000BCE. More recent inhabitants included slaves seeking shelter as they escaped during the Civil War, loggers in the late 1890’s (which almost decimated the forests), and bootleggers in the 1900’s. Some of their stills remain – –
The remains of a prohibition era moonshine still.
Our adventure here wasn’t over. This particular day just happened to be the first night of the Firefly Festival! Well – this had to be checked out as they were claimed to ‘flicker’ in synchronization. Believe it or not – they DID!!
Heading out in search of fireflies.
As you can see, our attempt to photograph the fireflies caught them when they were all off.
In the continuing effort to check out college/university campuses – the ‘other’ USC was in sight. A beautiful campus right in the middle of Columbia, SC, with the Capital just adjacent to the campus. The really FUN part about all our visits this weekend is that it was graduation. So all the campuses were alive with the happy activities of students and their proud families;-)
The USC football stadium.
The central part of campus known as the Horseshoe.
All set up in the Horseshoe for the Law School commencement.
The South Carolina General Assembly created Columbia as the state’s capital city in 1786. In 1790, the General Assembly first met in the new State House, designed by James Hoban, who later designed the White House.
The South Carolina State Capital with the statue of Strom Thurmond in the foreground.
The Trinity Episcopal Church was built in 1846.
OK – North Carolina needed equal time. So, we were off to the University of NC in Chapel Hill. Also a lovely campus with its central quad area and old unique buildings.
The South Bldg on the quad at UNC.
The beautiful old library undergoing renovation.
The Old Well on the campus is recognized as a National Landmark for Outstanding Landscape Architecture. For many years, the old well was the sole water supply for the university. In 1897, the original well was replaced with the present structure. Campus tradition dictates that a drink from the Old Well on the first day of classes will bring good luck (or straight A’s!). Perhaps all the graduates lined up for pictures took a sip on their first day of classes and DID get straight A’s;-)!!
Graduates, families and friends waiting to take a picture in front of The Old Well.
A great surprise waited for us in the Chapel Hill – Raleigh Durham area. We got a 2-fer as Duke University is also located here. Not to miss a campus, we were headed in that direction. Although the rain was now really playing havoc with these graduation ceremonies. AND – our arrival at Duke coincided with the arrival of all the graduation traffic. Therefore, unfortunately, there was no walking tour of Duke – just a poor shot thru the rain soaked windshield.
The only shot of Duke;-(
It is really unfortunate that the weather did not hold for this campus visit, as it looked like a fantastic place to wander. But – onward.
Travels through the Carolina’s would not be complete without a stop in Pinehurst. Although this trip did not allow for a round of golf, a good lunch and a ‘shop-off’ in the Pro shop were in order.
The statue of Payne Stewart at Pinehurst.
A fun couple of days watching graduates and their families celebrate their accomplishments AND checking out one more NP;-)
Now – back to some of those Biaett cousins.
E & G off to see more Family
Elizabeth & Gary's Magic Bus Tour 