East of Beaufort, SC, down Hwy 21 and across the Johnson
Creek Bridge onto one of SC’s many barrier islands on the Atlantic coast lies a
loverly, partially ocean fronted state-owned campground designated as Hunting
Island State Park. Created by the CCC in
the 1930’s, it is a beautiful low-country haven nestled in a densely wooded maritime
forest full of tall Slash Pines, ancient moss-draped Live Oaks, swaying Cabbage
Palmetto trees and sturdy Saw Palmetto scrub. (The following website has great
information about the park and surrounding area: http://www.huntingisland.com/index.html)
Labor Day week-end found us habiting a last minute vacated
campsite dubbed “The Swamp” cuz it would have been had we had the misfortune of
rain. A paddle board would have been required to get from door to road in the
event of a downpour, so we were mightily grateful that, although hot and humid
as Hades, it did not.
On the ocean-front sites you can fall asleep to the hypnotic
sound of the waves enhanced by a soothing (though not always cool) ocean breeze
through the windows. Position your campsite properly and you will be treated to
sunrise from your sleeping mat…pretty cool not to have to get out of bed to see
the sun come up donchano. Of course, you can always set an alarm and nestle
yourself on the sand to watch it from nature’s vantage point, sharing the
moment with fellow campers, shore birds and, possibly, passing dolphin depending
on the tide. (I always expect that magical moment from City of Angles where the
earth seems to sing its welcome/farewell to the rising/setting sun…it’s there
in my head even if not truly in the ear.)
I’m embarrassed to admit that we never got up early enough
this trip to stroll out to the beach to capture the sunrise. Howsumever, a
beautiful full moon over Hunting Island Campground Beach has many shots…of
which this is only one. Mea culpa.
Tidal marshes across the highway on the inland side of the
island are home to an amazing bounty of oysters (didja know they spit and “pop” their
shells?), egrets, cranes, heron, osprey, bald eagle and even alligators. Sunset
views from the bridges, boat ramps and marshwalks can be jaw-droppingly
beautiful and dramatic. Caveat, however, is that insect repellent with DEET is
not only a good idea, but, requisite during the summer months. The mosquitos
can be vicious and there’s something just not quite as soul satisfying in viewing
the sunset from the closed doors and windows of your vehicle.
Campsites vary in size, wood density and relative location
to the shower houses with many being sites within literal spitting distance of
its neighbor. That said, folks are friendly and respective of both space and
noise sensitivities (an amazing feat since it was both Clemson and Carolina’s
first football weekends.) With a dune to our back and a solid empty length
front and rear The Swamp’s neighbors were across the camp road from Li’l
Scamp’s front door. Having chosen to
base themselves at the rear of their site, the group of 8 or so animated young
adults were never rowdy or rude. Each morning of our stay the toddler son of
one of the group entertained us with his daily routine of hauling things about
their campsite rickshaw style in his umbrella stroller. Referring back to the
afore mentioned Football Weekend…with electricity available many campers had
brought along big-screen TV’s and designated canopy in case of rain for what
boiled down to one huge weekend long tail-gate party.
Keeping food and garbage neatly tucked away at night is a
good habit as raccoons are likely nocturnal visitors rummaging through your
stuff in search of treats. Deer often roam through the park in the early
morning and post-sunset evening hours which can surprise both you and the deer
at unexpected meetings during a shower house run.
The most visited of our state parks the holiday weekend saw the
campground full to the gills with families, bicycles, boogie boards and family
pets. We came across grown-up folk who had been camping at Hunting Island since
THEY were children, often reserving the same campsite year after year each
weekend for the entire summer. For us it was a glorious first-time, hot, humid,
mosquito buzzing 3-day escape from the work-day world bringing back happy
memories of tent camping days with our own young offspring.
This is a location that has definite “revisit” stamp onnit. There
is so much to see and do, not only within the confines of the state park, but
the surrounding area that several blog posts to follow will continue with this
particular 3-day adventure
