00:20

anticloud & zenkrak | 3.245 mi | 1:02 | Caw Caw Interpretive Center

We took a pre-walk picnic of sushi from EarthFare today. Unfortunately, Zenkrak overscheduled his workload this week and we hadn't had a free morning until today. I also do strength training at least twice a week, but I could really feel the lack of walking and sunshine taking a toll on my emotions this week. It was great to get back out again, in short. There were parts of the trail where you could really see the damage from the recent storm (we climbed over a tree or two). But it could have been worse.

00:19

anticloud & zenkrak | 4.887 mi | 1:48 | Swamp Fox Passage of the Palmetto Trail

We went back to where we were on 00:17 and went the opposite direction today. It was amazingly different and there was a lot more to see. The elevation changed a little here and there and after a mile, we saw the Witherbee primitive camp site. There were cicadas flying/hopping all over in the warmer weather and we actually broke a good sweat. I've been really sick for the past three days, but I felt great during the walk. Unfortunately I feel terrible now. Oh well. :)

I also could not resist getting a shot of this sign. Just for the record, it didn't seem like a little hellhole to me. :)

00:18

anticloud & zenkrak | 3.338 mi | 1:18 | Wannamaker Park

We had our first close encounter with an alligator today! I wouldn't have even noticed it if Zenkrak hadn't pointed it out as I stopped to take a picture of the swamp water. I'm glad Eko didn't notice it, because it was close enough to reach out and touch and I may be minus a puppy right now. We also saw the great blue heron again... but I couldn't get a good picture of it. :( Eko tried to go swimming after the pretty Canadian geese. They didn't seem phased. It was a wonderful walk all in all. The weather was beautiful and the trail was minimally muddy.

00:17

anticloud & zenkrak | 4.831 mi | 1:39 | Swamp Fox Passage of the Palmetto Trail

We went on a new section of the Swamp Fox Passage today; the part next to the Witherbee Ranger Station. (Poor Eko is passed out beside me as I type this.) The trail followed Witherbee road and we walked progressively further away from the sound of the occasional car. I popped my first squat in the woods after much coffee in the AM. Zenkrak was starting to feel a little sick yesterday and I think the walk helped. We didn't get to go out and do much trail walking this week, but we did go for walks in our neighborhood to make up for it. I was thinking, on the drive back, about how lucky we are to have the Palmetto trail so close to us. One day we plan on making it up north to the Oconee passage where they have a 60-foot waterfall. Believe it or not, I have never seen a waterfall. Today also marks a month since I have started this journal and we've walked over fifty miles in that month. (I've also lost 11 pounds as of today!) So here's to our first month and many more to come! :)

00:16

anticloud & zenkrak | 4.311 mi | 1:25 | Wannamaker Park

00:15

anticloud & zenkrak | 3.368 mi | 1:12 | Awendaw Passage of the Palmetto Trail

We saw more people on this trail than we had ever seen on any hike we have gone on thus far. I suspect it was partially due to the timing, but I also think it is more accessible to the general public. We had to pay $5.00 for parking unlike the other parts of the Palmetto Trail we have been to. I didn't like the black platforms they had on parts of the trail, though I'm sure they serve good purpose when the trail floods. It was very pretty, of course. We plan on checking out another Awendaw trailhead in the future.

00:14

anticloud & zenkrak | 4.074 mi | 1:20 | Lake Moultrie Passage of the Palmetto Trail

While this part of the Palmetto Trail features a gorgeous view of the lake, we decided it should be reserved for biking alone from now on. The monotony of this walk makes it ridiculously tiring.