A Couple of Parks

South Carolina has a lot of nice state parks and I have visited only a few. So today the hubby and I decided to check out a couple that were less than an hour's drive from our house. The weather was not too hot, the air was still, the sky gray. Would we get caught in yet another noisy afternoon downpour? We didn't, but from the wet ground and raindrops we found in the parks, it must have quietly hit the mountains instead. First we took some country roads that led to Table Rock. We stopped at the welcome center, enjoyed the nice chairs and swings that overlooked the peaceful lake, and then drove around where the campsites and cabins are, stopping only when we saw a turtle crossing the road in front of us. I was going to pick him up and help him on his way, but when he saw me he started scurrying in fright to safety. Here is a not so good picture of what is probably a very pretty sight when the sky is blue and the gray clouds aren't covering the sun.We got back on scenic Hwy 11 and in a few miles turned to drive up a more winding road to Caesar's Head. We got out and walked around and learned that visitors must take their own trash away. No leftovers for the many black bears, please. Rhododendron, orange day lilies, and blue trillium were blooming amid the lush greenery and the bees were in heaven. I had no idea that rhododendron flowers were so beautiful. Their flower buds are clustered (a truss?) and in this photo, only one flower has begun to open.
Now that we have reconned the areas, we just might go back and spend more time. It was pretty relaxing.