My Canoeing and Treehousing Adventure on the Edisto | Charlestongrit.com | Bold. Smart. Local. Now. | Charleston, SC

My Canoeing and Treehousing Adventure on the Edisto | Charlestongrit.com | Bold. Smart. Local. Now. | Charleston, SC

All Is Well In The Tree's ~ Our Adventure~

I had their link http://www.canoesc.com saved for two years before moving back to SC from NC. I had hoped that one day I would be able to take that 23 mile self-guided canoe trip down the Edisto River with an overnight stay in a tree house. The Edisto is one of the longest blackwater rivers in North America, winding 300 miles from its headwaters in Edgefield and Saluda counties to the Atlantic. I debate the blackwaer, I would describe it as Charleston Tea colored. I took the wishing a step further a few weeks ago and contacted Anne Kennedy of Carolina Heritage Outfitters. I was instantly enamored with her sweet spirit through the airwaves. We set a date. I had a few tummy flops when I thought about the experience for the next few weeks. I confess that on several occasions the soundtrack for the movie "Deliverance" wafted through my brain. And then there was the dream of Noah's Ark running aground emptying itself with every creature known to man on the Edisto River. Everything that goes bump into the night will be to the chagrin of my sweet husband who will go out to check it out in his skivvies with a flashlight, I began to pity him before we even left. Renae vs Wild. Anyone that knows me, knows that the combination can lead to disastrous consequences. Which is why I adore my husband for going through this with me. He knows full well that I can't stay in my house on dry land for 5 hours without getting hurt. Much less add a canoe, water, animals. (did I tell you that we have nver set foot in a canoe or Kayak?) The early morning ride to Carolina Heritage OUtfitters at Edisto River and near Colleton County State park took about 1 hour and 45minutes. My bladder refused to pass any establishment that would have a restroom. I knew it would be days before I would see another and I had gulped two industrial sized cups of coffee. We arrived and met Anne and Scott Kennedy. I instictively knew that they are very interesting people. I could see myself sitting on the banks of the Edisto talking past sundown getting to know them. We also had the pleasure of meeting their friend and our transport guide Steve Bond. Steve and his wife are mural artist and have painted many surrounding establishments which you can view at BiBondArtsonline.com Sitting outside the Carolina Heritage OUtfitters rustic building on benches, Anne explained our map and gave us basic river information. And then it was time to go! We picked up our paddles and loaded the canoe with our cooler and backpack. Steve drove us 23 miles upstream to put in. Once there, I spied with my eye...another restroom! I scampered up the hill while Don and Steve carried the canoe to the landing. When I came back we took a crash course on canoeing safety and paddling. I got into the front of the canoe. I assumed that was the part pointed towards the water. Hubby said his laugh of the day was how fast I put on my lifejacket. And then we were off! The river travels at a speed of about 2 miles an hour. Stopping at a sandbar about halfway, we ate our Pimento Cheese sandwiches, gulped water and rested. We were guided the first 10 miles by a blue heron that we named Ichabob Crane. Every single time Don would pull out the camera he flew away. My favorite raptor, a beautiful Red Tailed Hawk crossed our path several times and I was pleased to be the transport for many dragonfly's along the way. Turtles plopped from fallen logs and large fish splashed as they came up for the surface bugs. There were challenges. Trees down, low river bed rock, running aground on sandbars and narrow passageways. I found out quickly that this wasn't a lazy river. I was proud of our decision making and quick responses to obstacles. 5 1/2 hours after entry we arrived at our treehouse. The treehouses are adorable and rustic. We spent the evening in a large hammock under the tree canopy and later up above watching the river flow by from the patio deck of the treehouse. The treehouses are equipped with propane grill outside and propane cookers inside. Propane is provided. Let me tell you that was the best cheeseburger and can of baked beans I have ever had! Nice Tiki torch lights are affixed to the patio railings and give a sense of primitive peace in the evening. There was no need for me to worry about sounds that go bump in the night. I was totally gone within minutes of lying down for evening. At sunrise I awoke and started gathering things for our journey back. I sat quietly on the deck of the treehouse watching the river sleuce quietly by. It is Sunday, my favorite day of the week. One of my first thoughts that morning was that I was worshipping in my creator's most reverent service. About five miles downriver, I had the most incredible experience.We hit a calm clear patch and paddled softly, letting the river take us for a bit. The sound will reverberate for the rest of my life in my audio hardrive. Faintly at first, my ears leaned in and I quit paddling. A church organ in the distance wafted through the trees, it was surreal. The song was "Softly and Tenderly" We pulled into the landing at Carolina Heritage Outfitters in good time, four hours. Scott greeted us and we talked about the river and our trip for a bit before Anne joined us. Scott and Anne are dedicated to the preservation of our natural resources. I consider it a privelege to have participated in this watery path with them, even for this short stay. To book your own adventure on the Edisto with Carolina Heritage Outfitters, go to http://www.canoesc.com Now, as the novice canoer, these are my layman's terms to describe the level of difficulty of the canoeing experience Rated from a 1 being the least difficult to a 3 being the most. If the extent of your daily exercise is walking to and from frig, lifting your tv remote, chewing food and walking to mailbox.... the level of difficulty will be a three. If you occasionally ride your bike, walk a treadmill, take beach strolls, like jigsaw puzzles and problem solving...the level of difficulty will be a 2 If you tramp through woods without snake boots, love the feel of mud squishing between your toes, could fit all your gear for two days in a breadbox. Hello Daniel Boone, the level of difficulty for you is a 1

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Snoop Doggin Through The Low Country

I am packing things in a duffle bag for an adventure that I will be blogging about next week. For the next two days I will be out of range of cell towers and miles from civilization. Yes, these places still exist. While doing so I realize I am excitedly jittery. I am by nature a scairty cat, albeit a curious one. Nothing pumps my adrenaline more than finding those places where I am in solitude with nature.  There are so many adventures to go on in our beloved low country. A lot of them just turning down a road you wouldn't normally take.
August 01, 2011.Tires... check...Fluids...check.....Gas....check....Mosquito repellent...check. I climb into my car with a RC Cola and Moon Pie. The radio belts out old R & R, Journey and Peter Frampton. Before we moved back to SC from NC, hubby and I would joke that we  knew when we crossed the SC line because Journey would be playing on the radio.
Destination? Today I’m going to take every road that calls to me off of Highway 41, just to see what it leads to. Some are just dead end roads leading to trailers on cinder blocks. Others lead to ornate iron gated fences with "No Trespassing" signs posted. The extremes of the two societies co-existing on these roads took me aback. In the span of a few miles you pass through the poorest sections you could imagine. Telephone poles prop up leaning houses, clothes dry on porch railings, misspelled signs offer goods for sale like "sweet con" and "shcrimps".  And then shazam, there sits a mansion on expansive acreage with an oak lined road. This pattern repeated itself for miles.
The afternoon heat whipped up a dark cloud that threatened to end my trail blazing. I pulled down this one last road. I can sympathize with the nose of the hound as it sniffs out it’s object of affection or direction.  I found myself doing the same with the nose of my Taurus. I pulled through two old vine covered brick columns with a fleeting obligatory glance to see if it had a "No trespassing" sign on the old wooden gate that was ajar. Nope, Ok, off we go. I am stirring up a cloud of white dust behind me on the loose white gravel road. Although thunder clapped loudly, I couldn't make myself turn around. I had to see what was at the end. I realized after driving 3.4 miles on this sandy white ribbon road that I had put myself into an eerily exhilarating position. It looked endless. The only objects that differentiated one mile from the next were the brown signs with animal names to the right and left. I didn’t venture off onto them mainly because like the hound, I wanted to see what was at the end of the road.  I figured I could do some extra snoop dogging on the way out.
I could see a forest enclosure ahead and knew the road was ending. I came to a narrow bridge with a sign reading "Alligator Pond." I got out of car and walked to the low railings of the bridge. I heard the slaps of fish or tails hitting the water. The air was so pungent!  For the first time I realized that no one knew where I was. I had not seen a car, home or any sign of civilization since I had been on this road. I glanced down at my cell phone. Not only have the signal bars disappeared, also the little telephone indicator, the air plane, the 3g.
The quiet was amazing though. Chills went up my spine as I leaned over to look down at the water. It was so heavy with lily pads and pond froth in places that it looked as if it were molasses more than water. The aroma was heady and moldy with a hint of hot pine needles followed with after notes of the wild. I could tell beyond a shadow of a doubt that I was being watched. Alligator? Bobcat? Fox? The dreaded Tree Frog? Thunder shook the ground around me and started me back on my way. I didn’t take any of the roads with animal names on the way out. Partly because of the possibility of rain and mostly because I felt I would get lost in the pine maze.  But, I know that adventure lies down those trails and waits for me on another day.

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What's Your Passion? | Charlestongrit.com | Bold. Smart. Local. Now. | Charleston, SC

What's Your Passion? | Charlestongrit.com | Bold. Smart. Local. Now. | Charleston, SC