Poinsett State Park, South Carolina

Last November, Sam and I explored Pointsett State Park, in Sumter County South Carolina. The park takes its name from Joel Roberts Poinsett, the South Carolina native that introduced the poinsettia to the United States. 

Murphy and I enjoying the trails

The state park is located in a region known as the "High Hills of Santee," which is a bit of a mash-up of ecosystems- piedmont, xeric sandhills, and the Atlantic coastal plain. Due to it's interesting landscape position, it has a unique set of flora that is found in each of these environments.

Kermit can be very derpy, but lovable

We hiked the trails for a few miles and enjoyed some of the open fields, where Murphy had the chance to sprint around with her frisbee and tennis balls, she loved it.

Murphy can be a tad intense when it comes to playing

Goodale State Park, South Carolina

Last April Sam and I explored Goodale State Park, near Camden South Carolina. The park has a 3 mile long canoe trail through a cypress swamp. Admission is free and we rented a canoe for a few dollars at the visitor center area by the pond. 

The water was calm and we may have been the first people on the canoe trail that day, we had it entirely to ourselves, out-and-back. The trail starts across the pond, the entrance is hard to spot and is poorly marked, but if you paddle across the pond you will find the opening where it begins. 

Anhinga anhinga

a damselfly

Sam keeping a wary eye out for alligators

 We had the honor of spotting Elvis, the famous huge male alligator that resides in the cypress wetland, and is apparently quite elusive.

Goodale was a beautiful place to paddle, it reminded me of Louisiana bayous. I look forward to exploring again.

Crowders Mountain State Park, North Carolina

Two weeks ago, Sam and I went hiking at Crowders Mountain State Park, which is not one of the 5 geographic features in the United States with a possessive apostrophe in its name.

We took the Rocktop Trail to one of the summits. The 4.9 mile loop trail is categorized as "strenous," however, we found it to be relatively easy trail. It's a pleasant walk through a mixed hardwood Piedmont forest, with some small sections that have a steep grade, but nothing particularly difficult for anyone in moderate shape.

 Acer rubrum foliage is changing, and as always, it's stunningly beautiful! 

 

Siler Bald and Wayah Bald in North Carolina

Last year for Labor Day weekend Sam and I did a rode trip to the mountains, Asheville NC, Andrews NC, and to Knoxville TN. We hiked up to Siler Bald, in Nantahala National Forest, in North Carolina, hoping for some clear views, however, cloud cover was low and views from the top were completely obscured. We enjoyed the foggy breeze up top for a bit, before heading back down the trail.

Acer rubrum

Sam gently held a butterfly between her hands, before it flew off

Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis)

After hiking up Siler, we drove to Wayah Bald, which burned during the 2016 Camp Branch fire. The tower was built by the CCC in 1937, plans have been put in place to rebuild the tower. The clouds cleared and we were able to experience some beautiful views of the Appalachian Mountains. 

the tower which was partially burned down

scars from the previous year's fire were still evident