Day #3 - Congaree National Park

Saturday, November 28, 2009 – Day #3

Lexington SC

High 50s; sunny

Woke warm and toasty under our fleece blanket (thanks, Tina), our Polartec sleeping bags, and one Mountain Hardware 40/25 Flip. Although we haven’t set up the thermometer yet, we’re guessing low 40s or upper 30s. Bright sunny skies; a Pine Siskin in the tree outside our dining room window. We agreed to hike first and peel another layer off our Onion of Clutter later today.

We ran into horrendous football traffic on our way to Congaree National Park. According to all the eye candy on the SUVs, cars, and vans, little orange kitty paws would soon be fighting angry chickens. (Thanks, Debbie, for telling us it was Clemson and USC.) While there was no road rage, nobody was driving nicely either – not letting folks in the way we do in the ‘Burgh.

Entering Congaree National Park (http://www.nps.gov/cosw) was like entering a different world. Trees grew high along the road, nearly touching over us, like a tunnel. This is a relatively new park and there was quite a bit of Tree Hugger vs. Logger fighting prior to its designation as a national park. We walked along 2 ½ miles of boardwalk.

The trees in CNP average over 130 feet high. It is said that the forest canopy formed by the trees is taller than any deciduous forest on earth. We saw a Loblolly Pine that is the tallest in the state. Another, which had fallen during Hurricane Hugo, was over 200 years old. American Beech, Bald Cypress, and Tupelo also grow in this swamp. Often, after one of these trees dies – usually due to lightning – it gradually becomes hollow. Bats nest in the hollow trees, sometimes as many as a thousand in each one.

Wildlife seen in the park:

• Squirrels

• Eastern Wood-Peewee

• Yellow Bellied Sapsuckers

• Ruby-Crowned Kinglet

• Pileated Woodpecker

• Red-Bellied Woodpecker

• Granola girl nature photographer on an unsuccessful quest for tree frogs

We drove back to our trailer in the same football traffic. Many roads were closed. We took the detour suggested by our GPS; it took us right by the stadium. Maggie (our nickname for our GPS) Magellan has a sick sense of humor. Even though the Kitty Paws lost, their fans were the only ones smiling. Go figure.

Day #2 - Our First Campground

Friday, November 27, 2009 – Day #2

Wytheville VA to Lexington SC

Came out of the motel to find snow on the trailer. Okay, so it was only a one-foot stripe across the front and barely an inch deep, but it WAS snow. Can’t wait to get south. Today we descend 3010 feet, from 3295 in Wytheville to 285 in Columbia, to the coastal plain. We are expecting to be white-knuckled for the next few hours.

Came through the mountains without any problems. It was a very gradual slope and the views were gorgeous. The North Carolina welcome center was one of the prettiest with lots of stone work outside and a wonderful mosaic of wildlife inside. At the South Carolina welcome center, we were greeted by Baptists bearing Little Debbie Cakes. Christmas Little Debbie Cakes and small vessels of Deer Park water bearing a label that said, “This water is free just as the love of Christ is a free gift to you. Blessing on your journey.” Actually it was quite kind and a welcome sentiment. Thank you.

Snacked in the truck on PB&J, jerky, Little Debbie cakes, and other various junk. Arrived in Lexington SC cranky. Wonder why. Knew we weren’t hungry so we set up the trailer at the Barnyard Campground. Joanne had advised us to always have a nourishing snack before attempting trailer set-up. Instead, we made a promise to each other to be kind and gentle, and we were.

Went to local Mexican restaurant (San Jose) famished and cranky. Scarrfed down copious amounts of chips, thus ensuring we could bring half our main courses home for the next day. This is a Good Thing because it was some of the best Mexican food we have eaten. We recommend the chicken ranchero and the pork carnitas.

After dinner, we drove down the main drag looking for some excitement. Found a Piggley Wiggley and a Wal-Mart. Didn’t go to either….yet.

We arrived back to our little home and were confronted by all our stuff. Just two days ago, we were so pleased and happy to have stowed all our belongings in this tiny space. Now, we can’t wait to pare down some more. It felt like towers leaning over to engulf us. Go figure.

We plugged in the electric heater and started to work on it. After the heater blew out (probably a short developed during travel), we turned on the furnace.  Sure were glad we filled the propane tanks and had warm sleeping bags.

Day #1 - Finally Getting on the Road

Thursday, November 26, 2009 - Day #1

Thanksgiving

Boggsville PA to Wytheville VA

Finally we're packed and ready to roll! Lots of pictures taken and hugs shared with our Boggsville friends. Most of this day is devoted to watching the lines on the road - are we over the line? Are we about to hit a jersey barrier? Just how wide is the "wide load" that's trying to pass us?

We pulled into a motel in Wytheville, Virginia, just as the sun was setting. We had climbed high today and it's pretty chilly. No camping because we're worried about water hoses - or us - freezing.

While I was checking in, Kelly saw a Great Horned owl.

After we get settled and eat the meals we'd packed earlier, we try to watch TV. The only thing we can find is Chevy Chase's "Vacation". The one where he's driving the family to California to visit a theme park and just about everything goes wrong. At one point, he asks his wife whether she's having fun. She says that she's not, but every day brings new hope. We wonder whether that will become our mantra.

Now, tell the truth - who won the pool? Post a comment and let us know who guessed our departure date the closest.