7 Jun - Angel Oak Tree, Folly Beach and Morris Island Lighthouse

 

This morning we headed about 30 miles south of here to John's Island SC to see the Angel Oak Tree.  The age of this tree is of great debate, but most estimate it to be 400-500 years old.  It is simply massive.  It is almost 67 ft tall and measures 28 ft around.  The shade it produces covers 17,200 sq ft.  

The tree gets its name from the estate of Justus Angel and his wife, Martha Waight Tucker Angel. There are stories of ghosts of former enslaved people appearing as angels around the tree.  

The young lad at the gate said until about 1990 it was on private property but it is now property of the City of Charleston.  There is no admission charged but we gladly contributed to their donation box. Again, my pictures won't do it justice: 

Entrance to the park

Gift shop

An artist painting the tree

The visitors are dwarfed by the Angel Oak tree

The limbs extend out so far and are so heavy they are supported by posts and cables

It is amazing this tree has lasted for so long.  Thinking about it's age, even the conservative estimates, and the storms it has seen over it's lifetime.  Luckily now it is getting some help with conservation efforts.

From here we drove another 20 miles to Folly Beach SC to see the Morris Island Lighthouse. 

This lighthouse is not directly accessible, but there is a pretty good view of it from the end of a walking trail at the north end of Folly Beach, called the Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve..

We were skeptical on how much of the lighthouse we would be able to see and depending on the weather, visibility, etc.  We were not disappointed.

We arrived at Folly Beach and took a left on Ashley Road heading towards the entrance to the preserve.  From Google Maps it appeared like parking was sketchy and I told Doreen if we could not find a place to park the big ol' brown truck, I would stay with it and she could walk the trail and take some pictures.  Luckily we did not have to worry about that as there was a spot on the shoulder not far from the entrance.

The trail is asphalt but for walking or biking only. From one end to the other it is coated with graffiti, which was disappointing. From the entrance to the beach is just shy of 1/2 mile. It was busy with visitors. No dogs allowed (we left Liberty back at the RV).  The graffiti did not stop at the end of the trail.  Maybe it is actually "art"?

We popped up over the sand dunes and there it was - the Morris Island Lighthouse.  It was much closer than we had expected and the visibility was great.  

Where there is beach there are seashells.  Where there are seashells, Doreen becomes an "American Picker"!!  I figure by the time we make it up the coast we will have to trade for a bigger truck!  Just kidding.

Down the beach a bit was a large concrete structure that had been "decorated".  Not sure what it used to be, but now it just sits there.  

One the way out of town we caught a picture of the Folly Beach Graffiti Boat.  This 50 ft long boat has been around since the 1989 hurricane Hugo when it appeared on Folly Road.  Locals painted graffiti on it to post messages, pass on birthday greetings and a welcome to visitors.  Hurricane Irma relocated the boat and finally they apparently got some donated resources and moved the concrete-filled boat to it's present location at the Barrel Bar.

From Folly Beach we headed back to the campground with a quick stop at a Walmart for a few food items.  There Doreen scored some wine - can't imagine how this caught her eye?!  Has the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse on it and it is made just up the road at Myrtle Beach!

Tomorrow we head down to Hunting Island Lighthouse, which is a couple hours away.  Because of this, little miss Liberty gets to take a road trip with us.