March 13-15
Huntington Beach State Park
As you enter the park, you pass over the causeway: on one side is a managed freshwater marsh impoundment known as Mullet Pond, on the other are the tidal salt marshes of Murrells Inlet. Full of biking trails, boardwalks over the salt marshes, one can observe over hundreds of species of birds and their resident american alligator.
First, we’ll survey the freshwater side of the causeway. If you keep your eyes on the skies, it probably won’t be long before you spot our national emblem, the bald eagle.
Once an endangered species, these majestic birds have made a great comeback. In fact, a pair of these birds are currently nesting right across the street from the park in Brookgreen Gardens, and they spend much of their day feeding over the park’s wetlands. Believe it or not, these birds breed in the middle of winter rather than in the spring. Because they are nesting, this is a great time for watching the eagles pirate fish from ospreys over Mullet Pond. It takes a lot of fish to feed eaglets, and the parents will stop at nothing — even thievery.
Brookgreen Gardens
Set on a 300-acre parcel in the heart of a 9,100-acre preserve along the South Carolina coast, Brookgreen Gardens is a beautiful sculpture garden with a wildlife sanctuary. Comprised of four former rice plantations, Brookgreen was the first public sculpture garden built in the U.S. The garden was opened to the public in 1931 by its founders Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington. Mrs. Huntington's works are featured along with other prominent American sculptors.
Although this is not the best time of year at the gardens, it was still a beautiful place to walk thru.
About 1444 works of American figurative sculpture are displayed. Many of the works are creations of sculptress Hyatt Huntington, but other artists are also featured. Walkways and garden paths link the sculptures in their distinctive garden, fountain, or landscape settings, with vistas of the scenery surrounding them.
Huntington Beach State Park
Seriously, are we at another state park? We can’t keep this whole no-Wi-Fi thing up. We’re at Huntington Beach State Park. At least they have a beach. We got there pretty late, so we didn’t do much. I did see the sunset with my Mom. I had to keep my hands in my pockets as we biked over there! It was a nice wetland kind the whole path! When they went through an aviary, we were able to escape. We came up to some otters and they were so cute! They did flips of the wall, and swim around. They could play all they wanted of place. Herons, sand pipers, egrets, and alligators, oh my! We went to three different places for the sunset. We went to the first boardwalk, and it was nice. There were a few sandpipers, and a heron-or was it an egret? I couldn’t tell. The second place, it wasn’t as good. It did have signs that talked about the animals, but we were here for the sunset. Then, we went to the beach. Out of all, the beach was the best place. The sky was orange and pink, a perfect mix. We came back to a nice warm dinner of chili. The next day, we went to Brookgreen Gardens. The first thing we did there was see all the animals. The first animals we saw were the Tunis Sheep. There was even little lamb, Caesar. Those were Tyler’s favorite. The next up was Red Devon Cows. They were pretty boring. They wouldn’t even MOOOOOve! The only thing they really did was lick their snot. There was this tour group that was so big! It took up because they were taken care of. We saw some alligators, and at the fox enclosure, one of them started walking. Tyler said “Look, a fox is moving!” My Mom started snapping pictures. I ask “Why don’t you get excited when I walk?” That even got a few strangers to laugh. There was another aviary. This one had owls and vultures. “I’m not sure I want to be trapped inside a cage with these birds” I said. We went to the cafe there and had a nice lunch. It was an avocado, apple, turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato, with Dijon honey mustard on berry bread. After lunch, we went to see the sculptures there. They were really cool. I liked the animal one because they didn’t have to wear clothes. Apparently, the statues of people didn’t either. Tyler was ready to go early. Like always, Dad took off with him. We stayed and read poems etched onto stones, and saw more statues. My feet were killing! Eventually we left.
~Jack
As you enter the park, you pass over the causeway: on one side is a managed freshwater marsh impoundment known as Mullet Pond, on the other are the tidal salt marshes of Murrells Inlet. Full of biking trails, boardwalks over the salt marshes, one can observe over hundreds of species of birds and their resident american alligator.
First, we’ll survey the freshwater side of the causeway. If you keep your eyes on the skies, it probably won’t be long before you spot our national emblem, the bald eagle.
Once an endangered species, these majestic birds have made a great comeback. In fact, a pair of these birds are currently nesting right across the street from the park in Brookgreen Gardens, and they spend much of their day feeding over the park’s wetlands. Believe it or not, these birds breed in the middle of winter rather than in the spring. Because they are nesting, this is a great time for watching the eagles pirate fish from ospreys over Mullet Pond. It takes a lot of fish to feed eaglets, and the parents will stop at nothing — even thievery.
Brookgreen Gardens
Set on a 300-acre parcel in the heart of a 9,100-acre preserve along the South Carolina coast, Brookgreen Gardens is a beautiful sculpture garden with a wildlife sanctuary. Comprised of four former rice plantations, Brookgreen was the first public sculpture garden built in the U.S. The garden was opened to the public in 1931 by its founders Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington. Mrs. Huntington's works are featured along with other prominent American sculptors.
Although this is not the best time of year at the gardens, it was still a beautiful place to walk thru.
About 1444 works of American figurative sculpture are displayed. Many of the works are creations of sculptress Hyatt Huntington, but other artists are also featured. Walkways and garden paths link the sculptures in their distinctive garden, fountain, or landscape settings, with vistas of the scenery surrounding them.
And the last sunrise on the South Carolina coast. And a big Thank You to my Jack for motivating ME out of bed!
We will be home soon!
~Linda
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