Palmetto Islands County Park

I am loving these early morning walks.  A couple of places that I would like to go don't open until 9:00 am and I like to go out earlier than that.  Maybe I will be a bit later for the next outing.

Palmetto Park is also in Mount Pleasant.  We first visited years and years ago before we moved here so it was probably something like 1999 when my grandsons were little guys - and they are all grown up now.  This is a really big park for being in the city and we only visited a portion of it.  Admission is $2 per adult.  Not sure about kids.  Dogs are welcome on leash and there is also a dog park!  So, come with me as we re-explore an old favorite!

This is one of the kayak launch docks.

I was surprised there was no one fishing but it was a Monday - back to work!

Group party/picnic area

You have got to love this great swing for viewing the wildlife and just relaxing.

Another launch area.

There are little paths and walkways everywhere.

Boardwalks

There is a large observation tower for those with strong legs!

The views from the tower are fabulous.

My exploring partners!

Shem Creek Park

The next place we visited was Shem Creek Park in Mount Pleasant.  It is a fairly new park and I though I had died and gone to heaven the first time I visited.  Walking on a boardwalk with the marshlands all around me, shrimp boats, fishing boats, water everywhere and quaint restaurants.  I took way too many pictures but you will get to see what I am talking about.  Here we go!

There are a few ways to access the park and I chose the main entrance.

Up close and personal with the shrimp boats!

Looking across Shem Creek to a couple of shrimp boats.

Vickery's is a very popular restaurant right on the creek.

This is Red's, which is my favorite place on the creek when I want to people watch, have a cold beer or a glass of wine and a nice southern meal.

This is Lacey, my grand-dog who was so good about letting me take pictures.

I have taken pretty much this same picture more than once because I love seeing the Arthur Ravenel Bridge in the distance.

There is just this one small hammock in the park where you can spend a bit of time in the shade on a hot and sunny day.

Never give up.  Never let anything stop you from enjoying the things that bring you pleasure.

Golden Sunrise

Sunrise on the Intracoastal Waterway in the Francis Marion National Forest.

Early Morning Light

I pass this view every morning on my way to work.  Am I lucky or what?

Backcountry in the Lowcountry

Sailboat

This picture was taken at Cherry Point Boat Launch at Rockville, SC. It was a picture perfect day!

Old Santee Canal Park

Located in Berkley County in Monck's Corner this park is one you shouldn't miss.  There are boardwalks winding all through the swamps and marshes, canoes to rent, a museum and places to picnic.  What a great find!

Pretty Colors

The cold and the wind are taking all the leaves away.  I have really enjoyed the colors this year.  Not New England but lovely just the same.

Flight

I have been away much too long!  Will try to remedy that.  This is early morning wildlife!

Paper Factory

The KapStone Paper Factory in North Charleston employes almost 1500 local people.  It is one of Charleston's largest employers and everyday it's plums of steam tell me the direction of the wind. It sits on the banks of the Cooper River and I drive over that bridge every day on my way to work and always want to stop on the bridge and take pictures.  I think the factory is beautiful.  It is painted a lovely sky blue and has towers and lights and great reflection in the sunlight.  I will keep trying to find ways to get better pictures of it but the only real way is probably a boat or an airplane!  So, to see this properly, you need to click on the picture and enlarge it.

Palmetto Isles Park

 We have the most wonderful public parks here in the lowcountry.  Here is a view of the tidal creek at Palmetto Isles Park in Mount Pleasant.  Peaceful.

To enjoy the pictures, click on them to enlarge and then browser back to return to the blog.

Lowcountry Tidal Creek

This is so typical of any home that is on a tidal creek in the lowcountry.  You have to have a long dock to get out to your shallow draft boat to go fishing on the creeks.    

Click on the picture to enlarge it.

On the Intracoastal Waterway

This is north of Charleston along the Intracoastal Waterway (which runs right through Charleston).  You can see that the tide is way out when the picture was taken.