As I said in our last blog, returns to the campgrounds we have enjoyed in the past offer a strong sense of homecoming. But where we are for the next two weeks is the perfect example of why we also enjoy exploring new campgrounds.
We are at
Huntington Beach State Park, SC, for the next two weeks, and believe we've identified another campground that hits our "top 10" list. In past trips, two of our favorite campgrounds have been Fort Pickens State Park in FL because of the beautiful white sand beach and historic buildings right in the park, and Goose Island State Park in Texas because of the lovely private campsites separated by live-oaks, and the opportunity to view a variety of shore birds, many of which are unusual to us Michiganders. Huntington Beach State Park combines the best elements of both of these old favorites, as well as offering a number of other attractions to explore in the surrounding area. These first few days, weather has been lovely, cool (40-60 degrees Farenheit) and mostly sunny, so we have just walked and walked and walked, with and without binoculars and cameras, soaking in just this campground. In subsequent days we plan to explore other places in the vicinity that promise to offer new experiences and new sights.
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| HUGE campsites with visual privacy (we think we're in one of the best!) |
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| This is the view out our back window when we are inside the camper. |
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| Pine Forests |
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| HUGE gnarled Live Oaks |
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| Spanish moss dripping from trees |
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| Boardwalks over the extensive protected dunes to the beach |
THE BEACH!!!! Walkable for miles, dog-friendly.
And the shore-birds:
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| Great Egret |
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| Great Blue Heron - Breathtaking and a great fisherman! |
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| Pelican cruising the saltwater marsh |
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| Lovely little Killdear |
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| Cormorant, just checking out the scene |
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| Snowy Egret |
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| Showing off his flashy feet |
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| Showing off his fancy plumage. |
