Wettest July on record 7'18

We got more rainfall this past month than we would get all year long in California, and we are not yet even into the wettest part of the rainy season.

IT'S FEELING VERY STEAMY: 7 '18

TALK ABOUT BEING IN HOT WATER

WATER TEMPS HIGHER THAN AIR TEMPS.

                               SURF TEMPERATURE:  87 F degrees

                              7 day Air Temperature

                              FRIDAY                86F           76F

                              SATURDAY         83F           73F

                             SUNDAY               84F           71F

                             MONDAY             83F           72F

                            TUESDAY             86F           73F

                            WEDNESDAY      88F           76F

                            THURSDAY         89F           78F

Fourth on the Beach 7 '18

We decided to start the holiday with a early morning walk on the Beach

While the others were snatching up every  possible street space to watch the Pawleys Island 4th of July Parade 

we had the beach to ourselves.

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We  celebrated by adding a couple of new decorations to the shell tree,

and enjoying the magnificent skies

( Until that sky caught up with us and gave us a  good shower.  LOL!) 

Yummy Creme Cake: 7 ' 18

Bruce decided to make us a fabulous GF Chocolate Creme Cake .

OMG! Soooooo Good!

Low tide at Pawleys Island 7 ' 18

I love how the beach looks totally different  after each tidal change.

It's like getting to have a mini vacation in some totally new place each day.

Fun at Claw House: 6 ' 18

There's a new patio brew bar at the Claw House in Murrells Inlet

It's a fun place to watch  all the action  in the harbor

and on Goat Island

SC HBSP 6 '18

What a beautiful day to have a picnic at SC Huntington Beach State Park

Morning walk on P.I. North Beach: 6'18

When  Bruce and I took our morning walk to look for shells on the north end of Pawleys Island's beach, we had a heron following us along the shore. Perhaps he thought we would stir up a tasty crab for his breakfast.

 Sorry, Heron. No tasty crabs, 

but we did collect a fair number of Pawley's Island shells.

2018_ Sisters Vacay: 6 '18

 So much to do and see with so little time to do it in

Friday was spent getting a tour of  Bruce and Cece's home,

 exploring Pawleys Island and Huntington Beach State Park beaches,

and, of course,

Having a beach front lunch at  the Litchfield Inn.

Saturday,  we were all up for a a visit to BrookGreen Garden's  in Murrells Inlet.

The children's garden was a big hit and brought out the play in everyone.

Of course there were lots of photo ops

Brothers

for family groupings

Sisters

Aunt and Niece

Spouses

Jeannie and Bernard Baruch

and individual  shots

Dave and Don Quixote

After several hours of  walking the  beautiful but expansive gardens,

we were all ready for  a cooling drink in the shade of the old kitchen patio

But we couldn't tarry too long 

or we would have missed our river boat tour of the BrookGreen ricefields .

The hour long boat tour  through Brookgreen's tidal creeks was not only informative, but gave us a much needed chance to rest our legs.

And then we were off and running again to see a craft show,

 followed by spending the rest of the day at Pawleys Island Beach

Mom's Day at the Zoo: 5'18

To  celebrate Mother's Day  we took a short road trip to the Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens in Columbia, South Carolina.

The Riverbanks Zoo has the usual collection of  exotic animals 

both large  and small.

Out personal favorites were the birds  all of which looked healthy and happy.

The flamingos were so pink  and perfect they looked like animated statues,

and their King Vultures were so pleased with their habitat

that they posed for photos for their fans

But the attractions didn't stop at the wildlife exhibits.

There is really something for everyone here

For the little one there is a demonstration farm complete with a barn where the little ones can pet baby farm animals or take a pony ride 

For the middle school the is a rock climbing wall 

and a water park

And for seriously athletic big kids there is a tree high jungle gym ,

or a hiking trail that takes you across the Saluda River,

complete with historical markers posted along the way.

For  the culturally minded there is a  grassy slope which is perfect to picnic while listening to  an open air concert. 

CC's  personal favorite part of the Riverbanks Park is the Botanical Gardens

To get there you take a short tram ride a through a lush ravine along the Saluda River.  The main garden is divided into two portions:

On the right as you enter is a  cottage garden  filled with antique roses,

beautiful cut flowers,

And lots of nooks to sit back and enjoy the setting.

On the left  is a formal garden set out in a pattern of geometric plots

filled with colorful exotics.

We arrived at a time between seasons.   To keep the portions of the garden  visually interesting, while  waiting for the summer foliage to fill in, the staff utilizes a lot of colorful garden crafts,

and  lots and lots of bold foliage potted plants

In fact, art and craft  is used throughout the entire grounds of both the  zoo and gardens  to enhance  otherwise utilitarian  objects, like: 

 directional maps, and  signage,

 and as barriers to keep people from walking of the official path.

Arts, crafts, lots of exotic plants and animals.... it was CC's idea of the perfect  place to spend Mother's Day!