Five State Parks Four Days

It was not our goal to see how many state parks we could visit in one trip, but Table Rock did not offer enough activities for us.

Before we started our journey we wondered what South Carolina inner parks would be like. Our only experience with South Carolina parks has been on the coast with Edisto Island and Hunting Island and they pack as many people into those parks as possible and the parks need a little TLC. What would there mountain parks be like?

Our reservations for Table Rock was for site 77. It is located in the white oaks campground area. The site is horrible. It looked as if you were traveling down the road and pulled over on the shoulder to set up camp. The space was supposed to accommodate our popup camper. I am not sure it would have accommodated our four man Coleman tent. The site was also backwards, meaning that your awning and door would open to the road and not to the picnic table. We started to back the camper into the site and decided that this was not going to work. The park was kind enough to let us look at sites located in the loop A and B of the campground. We decided on site 55. It is a pull through site and looked somewhat level. Though it seemed level at the start, look at the picture below and you can see that we are maxed out on leveling the tongue. It was a little scary.

The overlook at this park looked like something out of a western. You could just imaging someone trying to travel up the mountain on horse back. It was beautiful and it is located on a pull off from the main road. So we pulled over and sat on the tailgate of the truck and took in the view.

The staff at Table Rock are great. The folks at the park headquarters was kind in assisting us with changing the site. There was one ranger that was thoughtful enough to stop by one night and tell us that they were expecting rain, so that we could get the mobility scooter under shelter.

This trip was a new adventure for us.  Sally, “The Beagle” is now 91 years old and showing her age. We did not know if she would recoup from the heat and the long drive. She started having some walking issues and just wore out.  “Granny” as we now call her is home and recouping well.

So here is some information about the other parks we visited.

If you are in the area Jones Gap State Park is beautiful. It is located in a wildlife management area. This is some primitive camping here. There is a beautiful stream flowing through the park and there is a paved pathway that leads to restrooms and picnic tables. It is a small facility but a great place for a romantic afternoon picnic.

On our way back from Jones Gap State Park we decided to swing by Caesar’s Head State Park. I am not sure what this park offers beside a breath taking view. It seems that all too often mountain views are disfigured by road and construction, but not this view. The view seems to go on forever. It seems entirely out of place for the southeast, but it is mountain after mountain and a beautiful lake that lies in the valley. You are also able to see Table Rock. The overlook is just a short walk from the parking area. There is a small trail that is mostly accessible to the overlook. The main overlook is about 50 feet further than wheel chairs and mobility chairs can travel but the view is still visible from the furthest accessibility point.

The next day we debated on whether or not drive out to Devils Fork State Park, since “Granny” has had such a rough trip. But it gave it a shot. Much to our surprise it is beautiful. The lake is gorgeous. It was clear emerald water. There is a nice beach area, picnic tables with grills within walking distance, and several boat docks. We had a small picnic lunch and enjoyed the breeze from the lake. The camping area is all paved and seem to be much more level than Table Rock. They have a place here that rents boats, sea doos, life jackets and such. We plan on attending this park in 2015. We liked sites 50, 2, and 10.

On the way back to camp we also stopped off at Keowee-Toxaway State Park. This is a very small park and does not have many activities. There is a boat ramp that has access to Jocassee Lake. This park is for small rigs and tents only. This would be a great place to camp if you did not want to be with the large crowd at Devils Fork or used as a over for Devils Fork.

All in all it was a great time we enjoyed the other parks and the beautiful scenery. People often make comments to us that camping is too much work and they are scared to camp in the woods. They are truly missing out on some of life real joys. That is meeting new people you and sharing life with them. Learning of there trials and successes. It is not uncommon for campers to see newbies and offer advise or help because they want them to have a great first experience. We have never locked our doors or hid our belonging in fear of someone stealing them. Everyone looks out for each other. It is an age gone by. Good luck to you Irene in lifes journey may you finish the Appalacian Trail in good health. Where else can you met someone and them give you thier phone number in just a few minutes of talking and ask you to look them up.  So, Mike and Margaret when we make it to Bozeman Montana we will look you up.

Phone: Extremely low cellphone signal.

Comfort station: The stations in the white oak area are not handicapped accessible. There are stairs just to get inside. The restrooms in A and B loops where updated and well maintained.

Accessibility: The handicapped site would not level. Site 62 has a large drainage pipe that should go under the driveway; however, it is exposed and it would be difficult for a person in a wheel chair.

Dog friendly: Yes

Hiking/Walking: This is what this park was designed for, able body hikers that want to be pushed. The road through the would even be challenge for a manual wheel chair.

Our Opinion: If you are just wanting a central location to visit the other parks this is a great location. We do not see ourselves camping at this park again.

Site Description: Unlevel.  There were many campers that had there vehicles at extremes to level them out. If you are in tent remember that you want your head high and feet low.

Favorite Site: If we were to recommend any sites they would be sites 1-8; however, they are a small hike to the restrooms.

Cloudland Canyon

We have wanted to camp at Cloudland Canyon State Park for many years. We have tried to make reservation in the fall and they are always booked. This year we decided to just go in March.

It is a beautiful park with a scenic gorge that looks out of place for the southeast. We camped in the East Rim. There were a couple of reasons for this selection; everyone was in the West Rim, and there was only one family in the East. The other was our site was about 150 yards from the overlook.  There is a trail that outline the outer edge of the gorge that leads to the overlook. It is mostly handicapped accessible- the scooter had no problems. Since the overlook was so close we walked the small trail at least three times. The gorge is carved into rock. From the lookout point in March you can see two waterfalls and the birds of prey soaring in the wind beneath you.

The campsites are newly renovated and fairly level. They are filled with large gravel which does make it somewhat of a challenge for walking. There were only a few campsites that had the fire pit on the same level terrace you are. The others are below. There are no laundry facilities in the East Rim.

Light/Noise: Quite

Phone/TV/Radio: We had great cell phone coverage.

Elevation/Landscape/Terrain: Hilly

Comfort Stations: The restrooms were clean and the facility was well maintained.

Accessibility: The park seems to accessible just about everywhere.

Dog Friendly: Yes

Edisto Island State Park "Take Two"

 

We have now officially become an Edisto Isand Groupie. One thing is forsure about the people that come to this island, they fall in love the first time they laid eyes on her. Some of the comments we heard on this trip: "I have been coming here since 1961" , "We come here every spring and fall", and "We dont tell anyone about this place".

We visited the interpretive center and it was very nice.They have several aquariums with all types of sea life.

 

Weather Conditions: Our trip was about mid October and the weather was mid to high 60's during he day and high 40's low 50's at night.

 

Light/Noise: Who would have know there were so many stars. We even used on app on the cell phone to identify some of them. The only sounds you will hear are those of nature and the tranquil sound of the oceans surft.

 

Phone/TV/Radio: They say they have wifi; however, I never picked up the signal. We had great cell phone coverage.

 

Elevation/Lanscape/Terrain: Flat and Sandy

 

Comfort Stations: Last year we commented on the bathrooms being old but clean. This year it was worse, infact I made a comment that I felt as though I was showering in a third world country's prison. They really need to put more money in the state parks that are making money before they fall apart.

 

Accessibility: The park seems to accessible just about everywhere.

Dog Friendly: Yes, the park is dog friendly as well as the beach. I know that there are two restaurants that have outdoor seating that is dog friendly as too (McConkey's as mentioned below and Sea Cow Eatery).

Wild Life: Blue Heron, Erged

 

Resturants: We normally don't eat out while camping because camping and cooking just go together. But since we were on the coast and frying fish is such a mess we did eat out several nights. We ate a McConkey's Jungle Shack as usual. We also tried the Waterfront Resturant, they were okay, but nothing compares to Flowers Seafood. The only bad thing about Flowers is they only cook Thursday - Sunday. What's a person to do Monday - Wednesday?

 

Comments: If you want souviners from the state park I hope you want a t-shirt because that is it. They do have things with Edisto printed on them but not the state park. The landmark, "Piggly Wiggly" has now been bought out by BiLo. Be sure to take water for drinking, cooking, coffee, and pets. The water on the island is salty.

 

Hiking/Walking: The park has about 7 miles of hiking trails and they are ADA compliant. We hiked along parts of the "Spanish Mount Trail", "Scotts Creek Trail", "Bache Trail", "The Big Bay Trail". They were accessible for mobility chairs. The Scotts Creek Trail is the only trail that really has a view and it is beautiful. We also walked out to the Bache Monument and the Spanish Mount. They both are very short easy walks.

 

Our Opinion: This was our third time to the island and the second time camping there; we love it. It is truely a peaceful island. Almost everything on the island is Ma' and Pa' owned. We have already booked at dates for next year.

 

Site Description: We had sites 44 and 46 they were on the the marsh side and where nice and spaceous with beautiful views of the marshland, sunsets, and ergrets.

 

Favorite Site: If we were to go by our selves we would look at site 24. We would stay away from 38-40. One of those sites seem to be very unlevel.

 

 

 

Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park

It’s been a while since our last post which means we have not been camping and that is so sad. Heather had a career change and now starting to get in the new groove of things. So to show ourselves that life is still good, the last week of April, we decided to go camping at Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park, in Pine Mountain Georgia. In Georgia when we think of the mountains we instinctively think north, such as the Blue Ridge Mountains that ranging to 4784 feet above sea level or Black Rock Mountain which is 3640 feet, but not central Georgia.  The highest elevation in this park is Dowdell’s Knob and it is only 1395 feet. However, the scenic vistas are breath taking and I see why President Roosevelt liked to have his family picnics there.

Dowdell's Knob Overlook

 This park was built by the CCC boy’s and they did an outstanding job. The rock cabins and ranger station are beautiful. This is the largest state park in the state and has over 40 miles of hiking trails. Unfortunately none of the trails are handicap accessible.

The Delanor Lake is located in the park and we camped next to it.  They just stocked the pond the week before we arrived and people where catching catfish like crazy. That is to say everyone except us. We fished in the cove at our campsite and we dubbed this cove “Turtle Cove” because the moment your bait hit you caught a turtle. In the camping area there were a couple of covered pavilions.  This worked out great for the one set of tent campers. It rained one night so hard that you could not hear yourself think and our camper was in standing water, so those tent campers moved their dome tent underneath a pavilion and stuck it out like campers do.

Weather Conditions:  Mid 70’s

Light/Noise: Stars are bright and was pleasant listing to the crickets and the owls. The frogs are not so pleasant especially at 3 am and if you are near the water you have frogs.

Phone/TV/Radio: Good

Elevation/Landscape/ Terrain: Elevations up to 1395 feet, lots of hills throughout the park; camping area had a few small hills

Comfort Stations: Very clean, not only did they have soap but also had paper towels

Accessibility: Yes

Dog Friendly: Yes, everything except the buildings

Wild Life:  This is a new category for us. We added it because the wild life was so evident. We saw several wild turkeys. The squirrels are just plumb crazy they will steal your food while you are looking and I promise they are strategizing on how to over throw you while you are eating. Tons of turtles and snakes (We have never seen so many snakes while camping). There where geese and ducks that had a daily flight schedule and they would land right in front of our camper. We even saw a couple of Fox Squirrels (aka Sherman/ Raccoon Squirrels).

Comments: The Park Rangers were very helpful and kind. They were knowledgeable about the area and were able to direct us to a handicapped accessible trail in Hamilton, called the Carol Silver Memorial Trail. The first part of the trail was two miles and it was not a loop trail. The second part we were told is a five mile trail. We also stopped one of the rangers to ask about the snakes we had seen.  He identified all of them. He did not even need to see the pictures to tell us what they were, Eastern Garter and a Red Belly Water Snake.

Hiking/Walking: Even though none of the hiking trails were handicap accessible, there is plenty of walking around the camp area and the lake.

Our Opinion: This is a great park to experience and if you are able to and like hiking, this is a must see park. This was our first time to this park and we defiantly will visit again.

Site Description: Flat and spacious site that is located in a cove

Favorite Site: 205 The park only had a couple of site that we would stay away from in area #1, #2, #3 #5. In area #1 we would leave the site in the center alone. Area #4 is closed and looks like it has been and will be for a long time. Area #6 is mostly for tents and needs a little TLC.

"Cass" There she is.

Hard Labor Creek State Park

The last two months have been hard on us; just a lot of stress.  For example, we unfortunately had to put my mom in an assistant living  home in September.  My mom has Alzheimer's and dad could no longer give her the necessary attention she needed and my brother and I live to far away to help much.  I will not bore you with the other stuff.  Point is, we needed to get away and take a break from life.  Let's Go Camping!

We went camping at the end of October to Hard Labor Creek State Park, Rutledge, Georgia. It is one of the first Georgia State Parks and the second largest. This park is close enough to home that we were able to do a quick weekend trip. Since the mobility scooter has died and we are waiting for a new one, we wanted to camp somewhere that we would not miss out on high profile adventures; we also wanted to just... relax. We can visit this park anytime to catch up on any adventures we missed.

We did do a little cooking. Friday night we grilled some salmon with lime butter and it was outstanding. Saturday we did a Chicken Pot Pie recipe in the Dutch oven. Recipes are at the end of the post.

Weather during Stay: high 80’s and lows mid 40’s
Phone/tv/radio: Cell phone coverage was sparse and for a dollar more you could have cable.
Elevation/landscape/terrain: This Park is very hilly and has a nice wilderness feel. Light/noise: At night the sky was lit up with stars and a moon that made the canopy of the pop up glow. While seating by the campfire you could hear a couple of owls. We woke up Sunday morning to a flock of ducks.
Comfort stations: The comforts station near us was always clean and seemed to be well maintained.

Accessibility: Due to the hilly nature this park will be a challenge for those with mobility issues. Even if we had an operable scooter it would have been a strain. The bathroom has a large accessible stall that contains both the shower and toilet with a shower curtain to separate the two.

Dog friendly: Yes

Comments: The park is located on two small lakes, there are ample facilities for group gathering and the pioneer camping area was large and right on the lake. There nice wooded space between campsites. Some of the sites are your traditional one level while others are multilevel. We noticed that some of the campers did not have their awnings up because the site seemed to be narrow, we debated going the same. As with most campers one of the joys of camping in a state park is to walk the park and see the different set ups that folks have, this would is challenging in this park due to the size and terrain.

Hiking/Walking: There are plenty of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails.

Our Opinion:

Site Description: Our site was # 23. Most of the camp sites have lots of space between them.

Favorite Site: Did not have a favorite site to list since most of them are nice.

  

Salmon Recipe

For the Lime Butter we minced a few cloves of garlic, cut a little zest with my butcher’s knife, and then juiced the lime. We then folded everything with 3 tablespoons of butter until it was incorporated.

We rubbed the salmon with the inside of the lime that we had squeezed and seasoned with salt and pepper. Grill the salmon until it was done and topped with the Lime Butter.

Chicken Pot Pie

            Ingredients:

            6 tablespoons unsalted butter

            1 large onion, chopped

            1 pound of potatoes, diced

            1 Portobello mushroom, diced

            ½ cup Brandy

            6 tablespoons all-purpose flour

            1 can chicken broth

            1 cup whole milk

            1 whole rotisserie chicken deboned and diced

            1 cup frozen peas

            1 teaspoon Poultry Seasoning

            Sat and pepper to taste

            1 box frozen puff pastry (1 sheet if using a 10” Dutch oven, 2 sheets for a 12”)

In camping Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add onion, potatoes, carrots, mushrooms, and a few pinches of salt and pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until tender onion are translucent. Stir in flour and cook for about 1 minute until combined well. Add Brandy and blend. The add chicken, poultry seasoning, salt and pepper, and combine well. We inverted the lid of our Dutch oven and covered with on sheet of puff pastry, and then we pieced enough pastry together to cover the lid. Then place puff pastry on top and cook at about 425 degrees until golden brown.

We used our 12” Dutch oven and it was a good size for this recipe.  It recipe feeds about 5-6 generously. 

Enjoy the pictures!