Sunsets, Cities, and Beaches

Sunset at Hunting Island
in South Carolina

It’s funny how when you live inside and have your plate full of responsibilities and social engagements, you rarely take or have the time to see, let alone really appreciate, the beauty of the sun setting each day.  Since I’ve started my journey, I’ve had both the opportunity and time to see and savor the sunset almost every day!  Every day, it takes my breath away and for a few moments, and I am still and awestruck by the magnificent beauty of such a seemingly simple event.  Now, back to the stories of exploring and adventure!   

A church in Charleston, SC

After spending the night in at Buck Hall Rec Area in Francis Marion National Forest, I headed into Charleston, South Carolina.  I roamed around the streets vaguely following a self-guiding tour from the AAA book, but mostly just gazing at the beautiful, fancy houses and churches and soaking up the very southern feel of the city.   I especially enjoyed exploring the cemeteries of the numerous churches!  It eventually got too hot (and that’s saying something considering people call me ice heart and coldylocks) to continue to walk around, so I headed for the ocean.

Dead tree forest on Hunting Island
in South Carolina

I ended up on Hunting Island State Park in South Carolina.  My campsite was a lovely little nook surrounded by palm trees.  After setting up, I headed for the beach.  I had a grand time diving into the waves and floating in the ocean!  It was such a refreshing and relaxing end to the afternoon.  I dried off, then went back to explore.  After walking quite a ways down the shore, I discovered a forest of dead trees on the beach.  It was so strange and other-worldly in such a beautiful way!  As I walked the other way, I had the pleasure of seeing the sun set over the island.  Palm trees, sand, ocean, and a sunset!  Not too shabby, huh?

My nook on Hunting Island

I settled into my tent to read for a while, when someone came and knocked on my tent (one might wonder if that is even possible . . . while it wasn’t a knock knock with his fist on my door, he somehow did manage to knock in some manner).  He announced that his camping party had cooked way too much food for dinner and asked if I wanted some.  He did warn me that it was, “kinda good, but kinda gross.”  I took him up on his offer and found out he was right, it was kinda good and kinda gross.  I also found out that he was from Germany, but living in Michigan while he was working on his doctorate at Michigan State, and that his sister and her friend had come to visit him for a few weeks.  During those weeks they were taking a major road trip so the sister and friend could see as much of America as possible.  After taking a nighttime stroll on the beach with my new German Friends, I headed back to my palm tree nook. 

Best breakfast ever from Huey's in
Savannah, Georgia!

I woke up to the very first drops of a rainstorm.  In an effort to keep my tent as dry as possible, I quickly packed up my stuff and took down my tent.  Clearly, the morning had begun, so I went about the rest of my morning routine, at the end of which I realized that I could be in Savannah for breakfast!  That is exactly what I did.  I had heard talk about the best beignets in the world from a place in Savannah for quite a while before my trip, so I knew where I was headed and what I would be eating.  I got a table right by the window overlooking the Savannah River at Hueys.  I must agree, they are the best little pieces of fried dough ever!  They’re little fluffy pockets of air covered with more powdered sugar than you can imagine!  Then, as if it were decadent enough, they come with a praline sauce to dip them in!  Oh my heavens. . .it Is worth the type two diabetes that I’m sure I will soon be developing!

Forsyth Park in Savannah, Georgia

After stuffing myself with beignets, I wandered around Savannah.  Savannah was designed to have several wards, each with a central square.  All the buildings around each square face the square.  The squares all have lovely landscaping and several have fountains and/or monuments too.  There were also many signs pointing out significant places and facts, so I was able to have my own private tour at my own pace!  It is amazing to be able to see houses and churches that have been around for hundreds of years!  All the houses (historic and otherwise) had so much character!   It was fun to look at all the beauty of the houses and gardens and imagine the stories of the people who have lived there.  I would have to say my two favorite parts of Savannah were Forsyth Park, (a large park, with many walkways, a large fountain, beautiful vegetation, and a fragrance garden) and Colonial Park Cemetery (apparently I have an affinity for old graveyards in scenic settings).

At this point, after walking through a majority of the historic part of Savanna, my sugar high from breakfast had worn off and I was in need of more food.  I had another good tip to check out.  I had lunch at the Olde Pink House.  I ate a delectable shrimp wrap (with delightfully  seasoned shrimp, mango, greens, and a totally delicious sauce) all made all the better with the addition of sweet potato fries!  While, this all would have been enjoyable given normal circumstances, it was very more fantastic due to the fact I’ve been eating (almost exclusively) fruit (mostly apples), pasta, trail mix, and salami sandwiches for about a week.  It was also nice to get out of the rain (did I mention that it hadn’t stopped raining since those first drops that woke me up. . .not hard, just a steady drizzle) and enjoy the ambiance in the historic house! 

The Olde Pink House

Ft. McAllister Sate Park

After a bit more strolling around the street of Savannah, I headed back into the woods.  I got a site right by the water and hiking trails in Ft. McAllister State Park in Richmond Hill, Georgia.  Apparently Ft. McAllister is the “Alamo of Georgia.”  It took seven attacks before the Union could capture this fort.    In the morning, I explored the trails along the marsh and saw many small, yet very quick moving crabs!  Then I packed up my soggy tent and started driving south.

Jekyll Island in Georgia

I impulsively exited the highway when I saw a sign for Jekyll Island State Park.  I don’t know how state park-ish it is.  It seemed to me that entire island was either developed or under construction.  However, I did find the beach access and spent quite a lovely afternoon swimming and soaking up the sun that had finally reappeared! 

My armadillo friend at Crooked River
State Park near St. Marys, Georgia

After satisfying my appetite for sun, sand, and ocean, I continued to head south.  I got a campsite in Crooked River State Park near St. Marys, Georgia.  I got another nook with palm trees and lots of spanish moss!  Luckily, I also have lots of trees that are perfectly suited for hanging all my wet stuff to dry!  I even got to see an armadillo searching for bugs right in my campsite!  It seems as if my streak of interesting neighbors has continued!