Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2014
Myrtle Beach State Park
Myrtle Beach, SC
We had a 40 mile move today to Myrtle Beach State Park. We could only get 2 nights here so we could go back to Brookgreen Gardens. Our tickets were good for 7 days and today was the last day to use them.
We did not get to take the river tour of the low country on our last trip. Our first stop was to get on the pontoon boat for a tour of the old rice plantations, now wildlife preserves.
This is a labyrinth the volunteers of Brookgreen created. If you haven't got enough walking on the grounds you can try this maze.
The rice field water levels were regulated by these gates. The river has tides since it joins with the ocean so when the tide goes out the gates could be opened and water drained from the rice fields, then filled during high tide.
The planters came here to grow rice because the climate was perfect. Unfortunately it took a lot of slave labor to manage the rice fields. Do to malaria, snakes, and swamp life most of the slaves only lasted a few months.
The Huntington's bought 5 plantations, not to grow rice, but to let them go back to their natural state as a bird and wildlife sanctuary.
We did get to see one alligator.
The stainless steal rendition of a Southern plantation owner.
After the boat trip we toured more of the grounds that we had missed before.
This statue of Don Quixote was done by Anna Hyatt Huntington in 1947 out of aluminum. She did her first sculpture in 1932 with aluminum, it was often her medium of choice.
Anna commissioned Carl Jennewein to create Sancho Panza after years of requests for a suitable companion to her Don Quixote. Sancho Panza was completed in 1971.
Cycle of Life by Paul Howard Manship 1924. It is patterned after an armillary sphere, an ancient astronomical device composed of rings representing the great circle of the heavens.
Another of Anna Hyatt Huntington's sculptors representing the birds in the area. She spent many hours watching the wildlife around Brookgreen.
The Guardian by Sahl Swarz done in 1937. His strongly defined sculptures were commissioned for government art projects in post offices and courthouses through the 1930's.
Indian and Eagle by Carl Paul Jennewein in 1929. The sculptor envisioned an eagle being released by a Native American as symbolic of freedom and the American love of liberty.
Diana of the Chase looking down Live Oak Allee'
Beautiful water lilies in the various ponds.
Wednesday, Oct 29, 2014
Myrtle Beach State Park
Since we have only one day to spend here, it is off to enjoy the beach. We could not have ordered better weather. It was partly cloudy and 83 degrees. The water temperature was 71 degrees, cool but pleasant. We enjoyed a lazy day on the beach.
Tomorrow we head for Charleston. We are looking forward to touring the old homes and the history of Charleston. Keep watch for future posts....
Becky and Lonnie
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