Here we go!!!! In the last post - along with all the stuff about getting back to Ridgeway - we talked about a recent trip we took to the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge. While there won't be as much to
show you as as I would like, I hope the pictures we will give you an idea of the beauty and the enormous opportunity the area offers for learning about wildlife along the Atlantic coast. Established in 1932 as a
migratory bird refuge, Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge encompasses a 22-mile strip of the South Carolina coast. It consists of 66, 287 acres including barrier islands, salt marshes, intricate coastal waterways, long sandy beaches, fresh and brackish water impoundments, and maritime forests. When my son was only about seven years old, he and I explored the waterways
surrounding Bulls Island, Cape Island, and Lighthouse Island - the signature features of the preserve - and his tentative but skillful
piloting of our small fishing boat is one of the wonderful memories I have of our trips to the South Carolina coast. The original objectives of the refuge were to preserve - in public ownership - habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds and resident species. In recent years, objectives have expanded to include: managing endangered species, protecting the 29,000 acre Class I Wilderness Area and preserving the Bulls Island and Cape Island forests
and their
diverse plant communities. Currently, the refuge is actively working to aid the recovery of the threatened loggerhead sea turtle. Sadly - for me at least - one
of our most ambitious efforts - the re-introduction of the Red Wolf into the habitat - was not as successful as we had all hoped. But - the outcome is still somewhat unclear. Although it seems that the wolves have left the area - other reports include periodic sightings. We still hope!!!! If you are considering
a visit to this gorgeous area, you need to check on the schedule for
boats to the refuge. They leave several times a week from Garris Landing for day-trips to Bulls Island.
 |
| Great White Egret |
The Sewee Visitor and Environmental Education Center at 5821 Hwy 17 N in Awendaw,
operated jointly by Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge and the Francis Marion National Forest is the place to contact. Be prepared though, there is a fee for the trip to the park but it's worth
it!! I can speak from experience - they have some of the coolest naturalists you will find anywhere!!! Awendaw will be a challenge for you to find - but - it won't be impossible!!! Actually, it is a pretty well-known area so you won't have trouble finding folks who can give you clear and accurate directions to the Environmental Center. Here's the big
 |
| Cape Romain NWR Naturalist |
 |
| Sanderling - The Busy Little Surfhopper |
 |
| Brown Pelican |
bonus!!!! In addition to some of the most personable and charismatic naturalists you could ever hope to find, if you happen to go when one of the local schools is on a field trip - the high school
teachers - and their students - are absolutely spectacular!!!!!!! Returning from one recent trip, the naturalists "challenged" the kids! He told them if they could answer all of his questions he would eat a "fiddler crab" - live!!! The outcome was PHENOMENAL!!!!! The students were able to answer every single scientific question the naturalists came up with - and - he wound up having to consume an unexpected snack!!!! Anyway !!! Back to our trip. When we arrived at the landing we found that a boat had only recently left for the wildlife
refuge so we had to wait for a few minutes. Not a bad deal!!! Shortly we were shown aboard a pretty "inter-island" pontoon boat and had a wonderful cruise out to Bull's Island. The young man who was
'skippering' the boat was one of the naturalists and we were treated to a
great introduction to the wildlife refuge. Our trip out included going part of the way on the Intra-coastal Waterway. On that segment we saw some of the cool "transients" that ply these waters on the way down the
Atlantic Coast. Approaching the refuge it is pretty clear that the local residents (creatures) feel pretty "comfortable" with visitors. Although we were alone when we arrived, we were met by another naturalist who was very cordial. He joined us on the first part of our hike, pointing out plants of interest and animal habitats of which we should be aware.(Including hang-outs for some of the rougher residents - the alligators!!) We found it interesting that, notwithstanding a few man-made structures, the area seems almost pristine - yet one of the big challenges for the scientists is controlling invasive species that found their way to the island decades ago through careless plant management. The island has been used for many purposes as far back as the late 1600s. Pirates, military forces,
planters and, eventually, private owners looking for a unique hunting venue. Fortunately for us, ownership of Bull Island was transferred to the U.S. government in the mid-1930s by Gayer Dominick and the wildlife refuge was born. The refuge includes an area greater than just Bull Island but the island is sort of the "Crown Jewel" of the site. More than 277 species of birds have had
confirmed sightings with nearly all present on the island as well. They include some of our most fantastic feathered friends such as the endangered Sandhill Crane and our wonderful Bald Eagle. Now I'm not a huge ornithologist or anything, folks, but seeing some of those special creatures is something that simply renews your spirit. In
fact this whole place is almost excruciatingly beautiful. And, yes, I struggled for an adjective there. Seeing this unspoiled coastline,
mysterious and puzzling "Boneyard Beach," ten foot long alligators lying silently in the murky waters - or, even more alarming, sunning themselves right in the middle of a path you are trying to walk!!! - is almost indescribable. In looking back at the stuff I have put in this post I
realized that there is simply no way I could include enough to give you the full flavor of a trip to Cape Romain
- but - I hope the pictures at least whet your appetite for more. Now, folks, I haven't made any bones about it in the past ... I'm a dyed-in-the-wool South Carolinian and I absolutely love my native state. But - the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge - and so much more in this incredible country - has been preserved for ALL of us. It belongs to US!!!!!! We simply need to treasure and enjoy it. Please, please take the time to see the wonderful opportunities you have - either here, in your own area or somewhere else. Your
soul will thank you!!! So, I guess with that we'll close this short trip to one of our favorite places - but - we've got LOTS more to show you. This trip to the coast just kinda whetted our appetite so we thought it would be fun to go to another of the places we consider to be another "jewel" - Winyah Bay near Georgetown, S. C. But, we've got some other stuff to share first so, come on back and we'll take you to downtown Columbia, S. C. - our state capital - for a look at our State House and some of the things that can be found on its beautiful lawn. See ya!!!!
show you as as I would like, I hope the pictures we will give you an idea of the beauty and the enormous opportunity the area offers for learning about wildlife along the Atlantic coast. Established in 1932 as a 
migratory bird refuge, Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge encompasses a 22-mile strip of the South Carolina coast. It consists of 66, 287 acres including barrier islands, salt marshes, intricate coastal waterways, long sandy beaches, fresh and brackish water impoundments, and maritime forests. When my son was only about seven years old, he and I explored the waterways 
surrounding Bulls Island, Cape Island, and Lighthouse Island - the signature features of the preserve - and his tentative but skillful 
piloting of our small fishing boat is one of the wonderful memories I have of our trips to the South Carolina coast. The original objectives of the refuge were to preserve - in public ownership - habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds and resident species. In recent years, objectives have expanded to include: managing endangered species, protecting the 29,000 acre Class I Wilderness Area and preserving the Bulls Island and Cape Island forests 
and their 
diverse plant communities. Currently, the refuge is actively working to aid the recovery of the threatened loggerhead sea turtle. Sadly - for me at least - one 
of our most ambitious efforts - the re-introduction of the Red Wolf into the habitat - was not as successful as we had all hoped. But - the outcome is still somewhat unclear. Although it seems that the wolves have left the area - other reports include periodic sightings. We still hope!!!! If you are considering 
a visit to this gorgeous area, you need to check on the schedule for 
operated jointly by Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge and the Francis Marion National Forest is the place to contact. Be prepared though, there is a fee for the trip to the park but it's worth 
it!! I can speak from experience - they have some of the coolest naturalists you will find anywhere!!! Awendaw will be a challenge for you to find - but - it won't be impossible!!! Actually, it is a pretty well-known area so you won't have trouble finding folks who can give you clear and accurate directions to the Environmental Center. Here's the big 
teachers - and their students - are absolutely spectacular!!!!!!! Returning from one recent trip, the naturalists "challenged" the kids! He told them if they could answer all of his questions he would eat a "fiddler crab" - live!!! The outcome was PHENOMENAL!!!!! The students were able to answer every single scientific question the naturalists came up with - and - he wound up having to consume an unexpected snack!!!! Anyway !!! Back to our trip. When we arrived at the landing we found that a boat had only recently left for the wildlife 
refuge so we had to wait for a few minutes. Not a bad deal!!! Shortly we were shown aboard a pretty "inter-island" pontoon boat and had a wonderful cruise out to Bull's Island. The young man who was 
'skippering' the boat was one of the naturalists and we were treated to a 
great introduction to the wildlife refuge. Our trip out included going part of the way on the Intra-coastal Waterway. On that segment we saw some of the cool "transients" that ply these waters on the way down the 
Atlantic Coast. Approaching the refuge it is pretty clear that the local residents (creatures) feel pretty "comfortable" with visitors. Although we were alone when we arrived, we were met by another naturalist who was very cordial. He joined us on the first part of our hike, pointing out plants of interest and animal habitats of which we should be aware.(Including hang-outs for some of the rougher residents - the alligators!!) We found it interesting that, notwithstanding a few man-made structures, the area seems almost pristine - yet one of the big challenges for the scientists is controlling invasive species that found their way to the island decades ago through careless plant management. The island has been used for many purposes as far back as the late 1600s. Pirates, military forces, 
planters and, eventually, private owners looking for a unique hunting venue. Fortunately for us, ownership of Bull Island was transferred to the U.S. government in the mid-1930s by Gayer Dominick and the wildlife refuge was born. The refuge includes an area greater than just Bull Island but the island is sort of the "Crown Jewel" of the site. More than 277 species of birds have had 
confirmed sightings with nearly all present on the island as well. They include some of our most fantastic feathered friends such as the endangered Sandhill Crane and our wonderful Bald Eagle. Now I'm not a huge ornithologist or anything, folks, but seeing some of those special creatures is something that simply renews your spirit. In 
fact this whole place is almost excruciatingly beautiful. And, yes, I struggled for an adjective there. Seeing this unspoiled coastline, 
mysterious and puzzling "Boneyard Beach," ten foot long alligators lying silently in the murky waters - or, even more alarming, sunning themselves right in the middle of a path you are trying to walk!!! - is almost indescribable. In looking back at the stuff I have put in this post I 
realized that there is simply no way I could include enough to give you the full flavor of a trip to Cape Romain
- but - I hope the pictures at least whet your appetite for more. Now, folks, I haven't made any bones about it in the past ... I'm a dyed-in-the-wool South Carolinian and I absolutely love my native state. But - the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge - and so much more in this incredible country - has been preserved for ALL of us. It belongs to US!!!!!! We simply need to treasure and enjoy it. Please, please take the time to see the wonderful opportunities you have - either here, in your own area or somewhere else. Your 
soul will thank you!!! So, I guess with that we'll close this short trip to one of our favorite places - but - we've got LOTS more to show you. This trip to the coast just kinda whetted our appetite so we thought it would be fun to go to another of the places we consider to be another "jewel" - Winyah Bay near Georgetown, S. C. But, we've got some other stuff to share first so, come on back and we'll take you to downtown Columbia, S. C. - our state capital - for a look at our State House and some of the things that can be found on its beautiful lawn. See ya!!!!
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