Travels with Kelli

 The  SC state parks has a “ultimate outsider” challenge. Visit all 44 parks and get a sticker/stamp from each and at the end you will get a t-shirt. Yup it’s a lot of work for a t-shirt. Still I am going to try and visit all parks this year. That is about average of 3 per month. Below is the list and when I visit them I will put a link on there name.  1. Aiken State Park 2. Andrew Jackson State Park 3. Baker Creek State Park 4. Barnwell State Park 5. Battle of Musgrove Mill State Historic Site 6. Battle of Rivers Bridge 7. Caesar’s Head State Park 8. CalhounFalls State Park 9. Charles Towne Landinag Historic Site 10. Cheraw State Park 11. Chester State Park 12. Colleton State Park 13. Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site 14. Croft State Park 15. Devils Fork State Park 16. Dreher Island State Park 17. Edisto Beach State Park 18. Givhans Ferry State Park 19. Goodale State Park 20. H Cooper Black Jr Memorial Field Trial and Recreation Area 21. Hamilton Branch State Park ...

DESTINATION AWAITS:  Today I ventured up on the Ashley River to colonial Dorchester. This is located on the Ashley River and was a thriving town until the start of war when it all but disappeared. Today we enjoyed the “exploring life in Colonial Dorchester.” Talked to several reinactors from a field doctor to soldiers. ADDRESS:  300 State Park Road, Summerville, SC JUST THE FACTS (BRIEF HISTORY): *Concrete fort made of oyster-shell that was broken down and turned into lye to create the concrete. Broken shells were also added to the concrete mix. *Church build in 1719, tower added 1751 *15 miles up stream from Charleston *Ashley River was its main route for transportation of goods. *1675 John & Mary Smith came from England and was granted 1800 acres. But after his death his land went back to the state. *Mary went on to marry Arthur Middletown then Ralph Izard. These are two important families of SC *1696 a settlement of Massachusetts came down to “settle the gospel” *Bell T...

DESTINATION AWAITS: Today's adventure took me on a dirt road to a beautiful church.  Located on a very well maintained dirt church known as St James Santee Episcopal Church but originally was known as the Wambow church for it was located near the creek and plantation of the same name. (FYI there is also one in McClellanville). In 1706 the Province of Carolina  charter of the Church of England parish was established. They divided which is now South Carolina into 6 parishes. This parish was the first one outside the city of Charles Towne and extended from the Awendaw Creek to the Santee River. The church was built in 1768. It was built in the single-story brick and slate hip roof Masonry structure. The church was built on King's Highway which later was named Old Georgetowne road.   JUST THE FACTS (BRIEF HISTORY): * Area around the church and Santee River was rice plantations * Brick was imported from England * Columns constructed by local wedge shaped bricks made by sl...

This is the beginning of my 60th journey around the year and I plan on seeing a lot. Going to get the  national park pass, the SC state park pass, new knee, cameras, and a full tank of gas then off I will go seeking new adventures through history. On the list for this year: 1. Fort Moultrie and Fort Sumter 2. More walking in Charleston Streets to see the historical homes 3. The Presidents tour with RJ this summer. (Goal Mt Rushmore) 4. Several Plantations in the low country 5. Savannah 6. Beaufort and Bluffton 7. Several Festivals: Lowcountry shrimp festival (May), Gullah Festival (Beaufort) May 26-28 SC peach festival (Sept?) 8. Charlestowne Historic Site These are few items that I can think of off the top of my head that I’d like to see in 2023. HOpe you will join me on this adventure. See you at the next bend in the road, Kelli *photo taken on IOP at sunset