Read more about the article Congaree National Park – Hopkins, SC

Congaree National Park – Hopkins, SC

 

IMG_2535Driving along a two lane road in central South Carolina, we didn’t know what to expect at Congaree National Park – especially since we’d never heard of it before. In fact, the park has only been a National Park since 2003. Before that it was the Congaree Swamp National Monument.

According to our guidebook, “National Geographic Guide to the National Parks of the United States – 6thEdition,” it is not a true swamp. It is a floodplain ecosystem which changes when two rivers – the Congaree and the Wateree – pass over about 10 times per year. It is also a forest of bottomland hardwood trees – specifically the bald cypress, water tupelo and loblolly pines. In fact, the largest loblolly pine in the world, climbing more than 160 feet, is located here.

Although the visitor’s center was closed that Sunday, trails maps and brochures with marker descriptions were available. We chose to take the 2.4 mile boardwalk, which was slanted in different angles – mainly because it was built in 8 feet of muck which changes every time it floods. (more…)

Providence Canyon State Park in Lumpkin, Georgia

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Providence Canyon State Park

We took a trip to Providence Canyon State Park, near Lumpkin, Georgia a few weeks ago.  I had read about it in a GA state park brochure and was impressed by the pictures. Calling it the Little Grand Canyon I thought we needed to investigate this treasure in Georgia. According to MapQuest, the park is a good 2.5 hours away so we hadn’t made it down there. When we were at Callaway Gardens, it was only 1.5 hours away so we decided to go there.

Hiking down the quarter-mile descent, verdant shrubs bordered the path until we were greeted by rivers of red clay at the base of the canyon floor. We tiptoed around the rivulets toward Fingers 4 & 5, which according to the park ranger, were the most impressive. (more…)

Read more about the article Hills and Dales Estate

Hills and Dales Estate

On our way to  Callaway Gardens last weekend, we visited the Hills and Dales Estate. This hidden gem in LaGrange, Georgia was well worth the visit!

Watching a 15 minute film at the visitor’s center, we learned the history of the property – beginning with Sarah Jewell Ferrell in the 1850’s. With her husband Blount, Sarah Ferrell developed the gardens for roughly 70 years until her death in 1904. Fuller Earle Callaway, a prosperous businessman who founded several mills and banks in the LaGrange area had fond memories of Easter Egg hunts at Ferrell Gardens as a young boy and over the years, he and Sarah became friends. After Blount Ferrell’s death in 1909, the property was untended and sat until Fuller purchased it in 1914. Alongside his wife, Ida Cason Callaway, he restored the gardens and infamous boxwood parterres to their former glory and hired renowned Atlanta architect, Neel Reid, to build the mansion at the crest of the hill. (more…)

Inman Park Festival

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Inman Park was Atlanta’s first suburb

“There’s a parking spot. Hurry! No – there’s a fire hydrant.”

“There’s one – ugh – it’s a driveway.”

“Let’s try this street. No. Turn left here and try this one …”

My husband was about to throw me out of the car by the time we found a parking spot for the annual Inman Park Festival, but it was well worth it. (more…)