Hunting Island State Park

 Return to the ocean.

Hunting Island State Park is a barrier island north of Hilton Head and sort of on the way back from Pointsett SP. Hunting Island has an interesting new lagoon on the South end created by a hurricane. Trees are in the water and strewn across the beach. The north end has a lighthouse and a long beach. Trails go throughout the park. Nice trails although you don't want to pause too long on the woods trails as tiny black mosquito type bugs will find you.

There is a small nature center that has baby alligators, turtles, and a variety of native snakes. The young alligators had a lot of energy and were chasing each other around. A lot different than the adults I have seen. We did see an adult later on in a pond.

The lighthouse was made in sections so it can be moved. They moved it at least once already as the ocean got too close. Currently they are working on the interior stairs so we could not walk up it.

On the way to Hunting Island we happened to see ruins from the road. We turned around and stopped to find ruins of a church that was constructed in 1751. The site had a grave yard and some old live oaks. Very interesting and unexpected.

This was a cloudy day with temps going up to 75. Pleasant with a nice breeze. We are returning to Hilton Head tonight.

Early morning Pointsett SP:

Church ruins on way to Hunting Island:

Hunting Island State Park:

South end of the island:

North end of the island:

Congaree National Park

 Last night was a good one at Pointsett SP. No human sounds. We heard owls and a steady background of summer insects. Combined with the hiking trails and pond this makes it a great place to stay.

Congaree is an old growth forest that is in a flood plane of the Congaree river. It is among the tallest broad-leaves forests in the world. There are thousands of trees over 130 feet tall. Loblolly pine, Cedar, Sweetgum, Oak are some of the trees in the park. We saw a lot of big Loblolly Pine's and Cedars. Most winters the park is under water and at least 6 feet deep near the boardwalk. The boardwalk is a two mile boardwalk through the forest.

We hiked on the boardwalk, Weston lake trail and oak ridge trail. The last two are near cedar Creek. We saw some wild pigs. A lot of them were all black and can run pretty fast. We first heard them snorting in the woods and didn't know what it was. Lots of cedar knees near the trees that like the lower areas near the river.

This is one of the least popular national parks. We thought it was pretty nice. Lots of walking trails and interesting river views. It was 80 today and mostly comfortable due to the trees blocking most of the light. Great place to see an old growth forest.

Driving there from Pointsett was very rural. Back roads with cotton fields and South Carolina small towns. 

Cedar knees

Spider in wall of visitors center. Pretty big!

Holly showing how high the water gets most winters.

Cotton gizmo driving home. I thought about driving under it but with the roof top carrier I decided to wait it out!

Reading room at the campground