Hunting Island State Park and Beaufort

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I had forgotten until I got on the road that I had never been on I-40 east of Knoxville since I have previously dropped down 81 from the northeast to get on 40 and go home to Texas.

I-40 east of Knoxville driving into the Smokies
I-40 east of Knoxville driving into the Smokies

The drive through the Smokies is spectacular with constantly winding roads until you get past Asheville in North Carolina. This corner of NC that I cut through was beautiful. The terrain changes pretty quickly once you enter South Carolina. The mountains go away, but I felt like I was driving through a green tunnel. I knew there has to be homes and businesses along the road, but for the most part they were hidden by a wall of trees except for sections of larger cities.

First day touring around the Charleston area was to Beaufort and Hunting Island State Park. Hunting Island is past Beaufort so we went out there first to wear out the dogs and make them happy. Sort of a priority for my sanity.

Insanely happy to be swimming in the ocean
Insanely happy to be swimming in the ocean
View of Hunting Island State Park beach to the south
View of Hunting Island State Park beach to the south
Park roads were narrow strips of asphalt with almost jungle like trees all around
Park roads were narrow strips of asphalt with almost jungle like trees all around
I had just been threatening Nikki with dire consequences when I turned and saw this sign
I had just been threatening Nikki with dire consequences when I turned and saw this sign
Hunting Island Lighthouse
Hunting Island Lighthouse

 

Nikki and Ellie
Nikki and Ellie
Boardwalk out to viewing area of marshes
Boardwalk out to viewing area of marshes

 

Palm trees and Spanish moss -- I loved it
Palm trees and Spanish moss — I loved it

 

Bridge back to mainland -- stopped to let Shrimp boat go through
Bridge back to mainland — stopped to let Shrimp boat go through

 

Looking for something else and stumbled onto this 1740 chapel
Looking for something else and stumbled onto this 1740 chapel

 

Chapel of Ease
Chapel of Ease

 

Beaufort waterfront park
Beaufort waterfront park

 

Park
Park

 

Hot and tired dogs
Hot and tired dogs

 

Sacked out in front of the air conditioner -- peace at last
Sacked out in front of the air conditioner — peace at last