A collection of photography and exploration focusing on Upstate South Carolina and beyond.
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Several weeks ago I did a solo kayaking trip from Lawrence Bridge on Lake Hartwell up to the mill village of Newry. I’d done this trip before back in 2010, but thought it was high time I made a return. In those 12 years there have been many changes. The old abandoned textile mill at … Read More “Return to Newry” »
Some days are just absolutely perfect for paddling. This past Saturday was one of them. It was a Second Saturday, which meant a trip with Lowcountry Unfiltered. This particular Saturday we would be heading back to Sparkleberry Swamp, but the goal was to explore a new section of the swamp. There would be only three … Read More “From Sparkleberry to Packs Landing” »
NOTE: This post was delayed a bit because I came down with a nasty bout of Covid. I’d gotten half the post written when it hit, but didn’t feel like typing or anything else. Feeling much, much better now, so here you go… It had been a long time since our gang of miscreant paddlers … Read More “Edisto River from Sullivan’s Landing to Martin’s Landing” »
This past weekend I joined two fellow paddlers for an excursion out to Bomb Island on Lake Murray to watch the purple martins. The trip also included camping on Wessinger Island. Parts of the weekend were absolutely amazing. Some parts, not so much. Chapin Burgess had set up the trip as a two-night event. Folks … Read More “Purple Martins on Lake Murray” »
I hadn’t been to Lake Jocassee all season and I really wanted to head up there. At the last minute I decided to go this past Sunday. I had planned for a simple trip – no GoPro, no deck back, and not even any lunch. It turned out to be simpler than I though, but … Read More “Exploring the Wall at Jocassee” »
Fifteen years ago I joined a group of strangers I’d met online through photo sharing on Flickr to paddle a stretch of the Edisto River. I didn’t realize at the time how strange they really were, but over the years this motley crew has become some of my closest friends. That was an epic trip, … Read More “15th Annual Lowcountry Unfiltered Edisto River Beer Commercial and Rope Swing Float” »
This past Saturday I participated in the 13th Annual Saluda River Rally. This event is sponsored by Anderson County and proceeds go to support Special Olympics. This was the first time I’d taken part in the rally. Usually I’m either out in Washington or have another paddling event planning. I was glad things worked out … Read More “2023 Saluda River Rally” »
I thought I had missed the opportunity to view the rocky shoals spider lilies for this year. I had seen social media posts about them with photos, but I was afraid peak bloom had already passed. Last weekend was Lilyfest at Landsford Canal State Park, so I hope I hadn’t missed all of the action. … Read More “Landsford Canal Lilies and the Catawba River” »
We have rested near the water, Seen the fleck and shimmering- flow, Of the waters kissed by Nature, Lovely river Tugaloo, Where the Cherokee once rambled, Sported ‘mid the scenes so wild, Where the forest and the river Have the wood-gods oft beguiled. from “Occonneechee, The Maid of the Mystic Lake” by Robert Frank Jarrett, 1916 Since I’ve gotten my new kayak … Read More “Paddling Up the Long Nose” »
This past week I had two opportunities to paddle the Bates Old River oxbow in Congaree National Park. For one trip we headed upstream into the deep cypress swamp, and for the second trip we headed downstream into the oxbow itself. Both trips were fantastic, each with their own characteristics. Each made me realize that … Read More “A Bates Old River Two-fer” »