A Midnight Marathon..

Language Lady completed her first 1/2 Marathon.

Go... Go.. Go...

Erin Shaw I just finished the moonlight half marathon in 2
hours! I am so proud of myself. Soy campeon!

http://www.moonlighthalf.com/

Go Erin.

Santee S.C.

DriverDad and I took a much needed vacation for the weekend and drove (just a short distance) to Santee State Park. We stayed at a local Best Western so that we could rise rested on Saturday to face the Santee National Golf Course.

I have to admit I was not looking forward to the hot day that had been forecast. The first part of the day was a bit uncomfortable, but we were pleasantly surprised, however when we were blessed with several gentle breezes and an occasional overcast sky in the afternoon.

DriverDad had his usual beautiful drives that really went the distance. I kept my respectable score of 54(9) 111(18).. I try to keep it around an

average of 6 per hole. I did manage to get par twice. ??? I always seem to settle down on the back nine, but that was probably because I started reading a book and had taken an Aleve for my back. :)

DriverDad loves to golf. He had a great time playing the course which was well maintained, beautifully laid out, and had its challenges.

Dinner plans included trying out the much touted restaurant Lone Star BBQ. After driving through the Santee State Park and checking it out we had a relaxing dinner and evening at this delightful BBQ gathering place. A Blue Grass Band entertained us and several displays of history piqued our interest. The food was not terrific nor was it unpalatable. I would eat there again for I loved the atmosphere and the hospitality of the owner and fellow patrons.

Sunday Morning

We drove to the Santee National WildLife Refuge (on the eastern shore of Lake Marion) and enjoyed a quiet sabbath morning in the woods. For most of the morning we were the only people in the Preserve. We drove the 7.5 mile loop, got out and hiked a few short trails, and enjoyed the sounds and sights of God's creative hand. We planned to bike the several miles of biking paths throughout the Preserve, but felt uneasy about there not being any other human life near. I would have liked to have seen at least one car. When we were leaving we did see one couple who were hiking the trails. Remote is the word best used here.

We drove next to the Palmetto Trail just below Bonneu, S.C. on the east side of Lake Moultrie.

Here we rode our bikes on the Lake Moutrie Passage from the path head, through the piney forest, across the railroad,

and up onto the dyke rim. It was hot so we curtailed our journey being satisfied to get a taste of future possibilites.

We checked out Bonneau Beach before returning home via Monks Corner. In Bonneau we discovered a nice public beach with 4 boatramps and ample parking. We were looking for future reference for the use of the jet-ski.

My favorite place as far as the water sports is concerned is up off of 260 in the furthermost part of Lake Marions's finger branches. The beauty and accessibility of the place is apparent in the number of businesses and residences that are spotted throughout the water channels. I have my eye on a Tranquility Cove and would like to explore the place further. These branches were almost like lakes themselves. There were plenty of places to stay, several boat ramps to launch, and a nice open water in which to play on the jet ski with.

We have now explored near a one hour radius from our home. Edisto Beach (south), Santee (north), Charleston (southeast), Bonneau (north), and of course we driven through everything west of us (pretty sparse).

We did get to drive through the Francis Marion National Forest as it skirts along the southeast shore of Lake Moultrie, but I have my eyes on Awendaw or Mcclellanville and would like to (in the fall) do either a bicycle ride or a hike along part of the Palmetto Trail that begin here.

Folly Beach Ride

GolfGirl and I had a great time biking the island of Folly Beach, Friday, July 30. We started at Folly Beach County Park and rode all the way down to Morris Island Lighthouse Inlet. It took about two hours. We were so exhausted when we finished that we had to drive to FishingGramma house to take a nap.

According to (running map .com) we went 11.5 miles. We left early after dropping GuitarGuy off for his LGcamp and rode while it was relatively cool. When we returned, however we discovered it was near 95!

I've never been so glad to sit down and eat. We had a nice time getting to see the island from a bike. I would like to do this again when it cools down a bit.

Morris Island LightHouse

I took a dip to cool off.

Also I had a short chat with

a lighthouse worker who told me the first phase of the lighthouse project restoration is finished.