South Carolina

(March 23 - 30)

South Carolina has taken us in reverse in terms of spring.  No worries, it is spring here but it’s not as advanced as it was in Florida or Georgia for that matter.  So a little taste of cooler weather is going to get us ready for going home??  The azaleas are just coming out, the trees are budding, the red bud is out, and even flowers are springing.  But it has been cool since Monday.  Tomorrow it should heat up again.

CAMP LAKE JASPER

Camp Lake Jasper is at Hardeeville SC and is central for touring Hilton Head, Beaufort, Savannah and of course Callawassie Island which is where good friends are currently renting a house for a month. This campground is less than a year old so the office, washrooms, laundry facility etc. all are housed in new and quaint looking buildings.  There is a pool too and a lovely lake that provides a great view from our back window.  The roads are paved but the sites are not and the grounds could use more grass but I would hope that is in the plan for the future.  There are some lovely little landscaped gardens around the buildings.  It is a comfortable park where we feel safe and the people working here are helpful and friendly.  So when we left the RV to go and visit G and G for a few days we felt quite comfortable about it.  It’s not the kind of park where we would stay long term; too cold to winter in SC for one thing but it is a great jumping off point for touring this area short term.  

CALLAWASSIE ISLAND

Callawassie is a beautiful little Island that gives you a peaceful easy feeling as soon as you get past the guard gate.  We couldn’t have gotten on the Island without an invite by a resident or a  renter.  G and G are renting from people who own a “cottage” in Callawassie but live in Rhode Island.  There’s a variety of beautiful  homes ranging in size from large to huge. It’s lovely to bike or walk around on the paved roads but I think I saw lots of trails too.  Docks going out in the marsh are accessible for anyone in some areas.  The golf course has 3 nines and is private but you can get on as a guest.   I couldn’t believe how many gators we saw!  Felt like we were back in Florida.  Live oaks, magnolias and palmettos abound.  The marshes that we have come to love on this coast are all around of course.  When we left the Island to do some touring we had to drive over many bridges and causeways making it difficult to know exactly where you are.  You would have to spend some time here to get acquainted with the terrain.  We visited Beaufort, an historical town with gorgeous mansions.  Lunch in Port Royal at Fat Patties was excellent. 

SPRING ISLAND

Spring Island is accessible from Callawassie and a drive around there gave us a sense of how another world lives.  Talk about large lots!  These homes are so far apart and hidden in the forest you could hardly see them.  We found a monument of Francis of Assisi in an amazing setting.  Follow the live oak Avenue with huge old trees and arrive at the ruins of a tabby mansion  overlooking the marsh.  This Island has some history but is untouched by thoughtless development.  Any building we saw blended perfectly with the natural surroundings.  There’s a beautiful golf course which is out of our league.  There was fire near the road as we drove by.  This was a "controlled burn" to clear the undergrowth but it was scary nonetheless. 

When leaving Spring Island I felt like I was coming out of another world and entering the normal.  Even Callawassie with all it’s beauty and beautiful homes seemed ordinary.  It’s all relative.

SAVANNAH

We’ve been to Savannah several times but couldn’t resist another visit although a quick one.  We were going to Camping World to pick up some RV supplies anyway so continued a couple more miles to Savannah.  Lunch at Ellis Square at an outdoor patio in the sun was enjoyable, not only the food but people watching.  Then we went to the River Front for a walk.  What a vibrant and fun town.  I never get tired of it.