Today is our day off from the phones. It has been a long time since we had a day off together, and last week was quite stressful. We both felt like we really needed to get as far away as possible, from tax talk, phones calls, and all the other routines of tax season. When we suddenly realized we both had been re-scheduled to have the day off together, we wasted no time in taking advantage of this unexpected blessing. All chores were put on hold, and we headed off to explore the low-country west of where we live.
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(Above) The small yellow house on the right lower side of the screen represents starting point our home ( above the 708 Springs) while the blue car in the upper center of the screen is where we wanted to go. The area is by-n-large an un-populated tract of wetlands under the control of various wildlife management organizations.
In particular, we wanted to see the Samworth Wildlife Management Area which is located 7 miles due west of us ( as the crow flies).
To get there we had to head South on Highway 17. Turn west via the bridges which cross the Waccammah , Black and Pee Dee Rivers at Winyah Bay. Then circle back to the north via Highway 701.
From there we veered off on a series of successively smaller paved county roads which took us past interesting civil war ruins
and through beautiful cypress swamps filled with waterlilies in full bloom.
Even though the Samworth WMA is only 7 miles due west of us, we had travel 24 miles to cross all the rivers creeks and streams, and it took us a full 40 minutes to reach the well graded road leading into the WFA.
( *see footnote ant the end of this post for specific directions from Georgetown SC)
It was time well spent.
The Samworth WMA was a gift to the sportsmen of South Carolina from Thomas G Samworth The original 500 acres of the property has grown to 1588 acres though acquisitions and additional conservation grants. About 1300 acres are wetlands, 200 acres are uplands and agricultural fields, and 88 acres are long leaf pine. From February 9 to October 31, the WMA facility is open 9 am to 5 pm EST to the public for fishing, bird-watching, hiking ( a 2.8 mile nature trail), canoeing- kayaking, and plantation tours.**
To the right of the end of the road stands the original colonial era plantation home.
To the left is a large picnic area shaded by centuries old heritage oaks
Some of which are truly impressive even by South Carolina standards
This one even boasted an osprey nest in its crown
At the Northern end of the picnic area is a boat ramp for launching canoes and kayaks It too is surrounded by massive centuries old Tupilo Cypress.
There is also a brand new dock to facilitate loading, unloading, and landings.
Both facilitates allow easy access to a small tributary of the Little Pee Dee River.
Other than the historic plantation house, there was not a human structure or sound to be seen along the river. One could get lost in the peacefulness of this place. Hopefully not literally, as we intend to try kayaking here.
But for the present, this trip certainly satisfied our desire to get away from it all.
We came rested and feeling at peace.
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* Directions from Georgetown travel 15 miles north on US Highway 701. Once crossing the Black River Turn Right onto SC-S-22-4/ SC-S-22-52 and travel approximately 6 miles and turn right onto Samworth Loop road. Follow to stop sign and turn left. Travel about 300 feet and turn right onto Dirleton Road arriving at Samwort WMA.
** ( For an interesting 3 min. video tour of the Samworth WMA see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toDkiw0Hp8Y)
***From February 9 to October 31, the WMA facility is open 9 am to 5 pm EST to the public for fishing, bird-watching, hiking ( a 2.8 mile nature trail), canoeing- kayaking, and plantation tours. For safety reasons, the WMA facility is closed to foot- traffic from November 1 through February 8 to allow public hunting of waterfowl, deer feral hogs and doves.
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