South Carolina 2026
Congaree National Park - Hopkins South Carolina - 25 September 2026
We spent two weeks in South Carolina in September 2026. We spent our first week at Santee State Park in Santee South Carolina 23-29 September. We wanted to see Congaree National Park and Anita’s second cousin Roland and his wife Geneva. We found other hikes to do along the way and we really enjoyed our week in Santee. It was great seeing Roland and Geneva especially since it had been probably 15 years since we last saw each other. They treated us to lunch at a local favorite restaurant of theirs and their son Craig joined us for lunch. It had been even longer since Anita had seen Craig, so I probably would not have recognized him out of context in passing. It was so good to catch up and to see Roland and Geneva’s home. They moved to South Carolina three years ago.
Lexington South Carolina - 28 September 2026
Us with Roland, Geneva and Craig
We did make it to Congaree National Park too. It wasn’t what we expected, although we couldn’t say what we expected. We learned that the park preserves the largest tract of old growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the Southeastern United States. They had nice boardwalk trails to see the trees and wetlands throughout. We enjoyed our day exploring Congaree National Park.
Congaree National Park - Hopkins South Carolina - 25 September 2026
Congaree National Park - Hopkins South Carolina - 25 September 2026
Visitor Center
Congaree National Park - Hopkins South Carolina - 25 September 2026
Visitor Center
Congaree National Park - Hopkins South Carolina - 25 September 2026
Visitor Center
Congaree National Park - Hopkins South Carolina - 25 September 2026
Visitor Center
Congaree National Park - Hopkins South Carolina - 25 September 2026
Congaree National Park - Hopkins South Carolina - 25 September 2026
Congaree National Park - Hopkins South Carolina - 25 September 2026
Champion Loblolly Pine
Congaree National Park - Hopkins South Carolina - 25 September 2026
Congaree National Park - Hopkins South Carolina - 25 September 2026
Congaree National Park - Hopkins South Carolina - 25 September 2026
Very nice trails to see the wetlands...
Congaree National Park - Hopkins South Carolina - 25 September 2026
On Saturday the 26th, we visited Santee National Wildlife Refuge and walked the Wright’s Bluff Nature Trail. We enjoyed our walk in spite of the hot and humid conditions. We attended mass at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Santee at 4pm that Saturday (26th).
Santee National Wildlife Refuge - Santee South Carolina - 26 September 2026
Santee National Wildlife Refuge - Santee South Carolina - 26 September 2026
Santee National Wildlife Refuge - Santee South Carolina - 26 September 2026
Santee National Wildlife Refuge - Santee South Carolina - 26 September 2026
Santee National Wildlife Refuge - Santee South Carolina - 26 September 2026
Santee National Wildlife Refuge - Santee South Carolina - 26 September 2026
St. Ann Catholic Church - Santee South Carolina - 26 September 2026
St. Ann Catholic Church - Santee South Carolina - 26 September 2026
St. Ann Catholic Church - Santee South Carolina - 26 September 2026
We had quite a bit of rain during our first week in South Carolina, so we were stuck inside a lot of the time. We had books to read, so we got some reading done.
We moved to Charleston South Carolina 30 September 2026. We stayed at James Island County Park and that was a great campground. We noticed Christmas light displays all through the park and we asked if they’re kept up year-round. We were told that they started putting them up in August and that it opens in November. We saw volunteers setting up a couple of the displays and we really wish we could be here during Christmas time to see the finished production!
James Island County Park - Charleston South Carolina - 6 October 2026
We checked out the Folly Beach Fishing Pier in Folly Beach SC one day and then we went to see the Angel Oak Tree in Johns Island SC. The Angel Oak Tree is considered to be the largest Live Oak Tree east of the Mississippi estimating to be 400 years old. It’s quite a popular tourist attraction. There were two tour buses there when we arrived.
Folly Beach Pier - Folly Beach South Carolina - 1 October 2026
Folly Beach Pier - Folly Beach South Carolina - 1 October 2026
Folly Beach Pier - Folly Beach South Carolina - 1 October 2026
Folly Beach Pier - Folly Beach South Carolina - 1 October 2026
Folly Beach Pier - Folly Beach South Carolina - 1 October 2026
Folly Beach Pier - Folly Beach South Carolina - 1 October 2026
Folly Beach Pier - Folly Beach South Carolina - 1 October 2026
Angel Oak Tree - Johns Island South Carolina - 1 October 2026
Angel Oak Tree - Johns Island South Carolina - 1 October 2026
Angel Oak Tree - Johns Island South Carolina - 1 October 2026
Angel Oak Tree - Johns Island South Carolina - 1 October 2026
Angel Oak Tree - Johns Island South Carolina - 1 October 2026
Angel Oak Tree - Johns Island South Carolina - 1 October 2026
Angel Oak Tree - Johns Island South Carolina - 1 October 2026
The main reason we came to Charleston was to see Susan, Anita’s friend from Maryland. Susan moved to Charleston about 7 years ago. We stayed the weekend with her and had a blast catching up and reminiscing about old times. We attended mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist at 5:30pm that Saturday. Before mass we had been at Buffalo Wild Wings celebrating Susan’s birthday (9th) and watching college football. That was what Susan wanted for her birthday lunch. We had fun. We met her back at her house after mass enjoyed a quiet evening in. Sunday the 4th, Susan had made reservations at Hall’s Chophouse for the Sunday Gospel Brunch. It was unlike any experience we’ve ever had and we had a great time! The music was ongoing from 10am-2pm. The musicians play gospel songs most people know and they had the diners sing along for a couple of songs while we were there. A lady at a nearby table recorded Steve singing! The atmosphere was very friendly and even the owner personally welcomes every person. We would recommend doing that if you’re ever in Charleston on a Sunday. It was great!
Cathedral of St. John the Baptist - Charleston South Carolina - 3 October 2026
Cathedral of St. John the Baptist - Charleston South Carolina - 3 October 2026
Cathedral of St. John the Baptist - Charleston South Carolina - 3 October 2026
Cathedral of St. John the Baptist - Charleston South Carolina - 3 October 2026
Cathedral of St. John the Baptist - Charleston South Carolina - 3 October 2026
Cathedral of St. John the Baptist - Charleston South Carolina - 3 October 2026
Cathedral of St. John the Baptist - Charleston South Carolina - 3 October 2026
Cathedral of St. John the Baptist - Charleston South Carolina - 3 October 2026
Cathedral of St. John the Baptist - Charleston South Carolina - 3 October 2026
Hall's Chop House - Sunday Gospel Brunch - Charleston South Carolina - 4 October 2026
Hall's Chop House - Sunday Gospel Brunch - Charleston South Carolina - 4 October 2026
Billy Hall owner in the sport coat in back by the stairs...
Hall's Chop House - Sunday Gospel Brunch - Charleston South Carolina - 4 October 2026
This guy Phillip from Napa Valley CA sat in for a couple of songs...
Hall's Chop House - Sunday Gospel Brunch - Charleston South Carolina - 4 October 2026
Us with Susan...
Susan drove us around Charleston - 4 October 2026
Custom House held slave auctions until 1856
Susan drove us around Charleston - 4 October 2026
Rainbow Row - designated a historic landmark by the National Park Service in 1931
Susan drove us around Charleston - 4 October 2026
Pineapple Fountain
Susan drove us around Charleston - 4 October 2026
Pineapple Fountain - Pineapples are common throughout the city, representing its tradition of hospitality.
Susan drove us around Charleston - 4 October 2026
Riley Waterfront Park
Susan drove us around Charleston - 4 October 2026
We had done a tour of Charleston by horse and carriage back in 2021...
Susan drove us around Charleston - 4 October 2026
The Citadel
Susan drove us around Charleston - 4 October 2026
Susan drove us around Charleston - 4 October 2026
Ravenel Bridge as we approach driving...
Susan drove us around Charleston - 4 October 2026
Mount Pleasant SC - We got 5lbs of fresh white shrimp...
We went back to our camper at James Island County Park on the Monday (5th). It had rained on and off the whole weekend at Susan’s and that continued after we got home. We needed to grocery shop, so we had to go out in light rain to get it done. On the Tuesday, our last full day in Charleston, we walked the Ravenel Bridge which is 2.5 miles one way. It was much cooler that day than it had been, but we both still worked up a sweat by the time we got done. We’re glad we walked it, but the downside was the traffic noise and exhaust fumes. It’s a nice trail for locals.
Ravenel Bridge walk Charleston South Carolina - 6 October 2026
Ravenel Bridge walk Charleston South Carolina - 6 October 2026
Ravenel Bridge walk Charleston South Carolina - 6 October 2026
Patriots Point
Ravenel Bridge walk Charleston South Carolina - 6 October 2026
Ravenel Bridge walk Charleston South Carolina - 6 October 2026
Ravenel Bridge walk Charleston South Carolina - 6 October 2026
Ravenel Bridge walk Charleston South Carolina - 6 October 2026
Ravenel Bridge walk Charleston South Carolina - 6 October 2026
Great Egret
Ravenel Bridge walk Charleston South Carolina - 6 October 2026
Patriots Point Aircraft Carrier USS Yorktown
Ravenel Bridge walk Charleston South Carolina - 6 October 2026
As I write this, we are in St. Mary’s Georgia where the Naval Submarine Base at King’s Bay is. We got here on 7 October and we're leaving tomorrow (10th).
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