Palmetto Kritty

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Officers' Club & Golf Course--Ft. Jackson 8/7/13

My journey across the Fort Jackson passage of the Palmetto Trail led me and friend Jenny Kerr along a paved fitness trail paralleling Semmes Rd. across from the Ft. Jackson Golf Club. We walked from Twin Lakes Park to the Officers' Club and back for a total of 4 miles both ways.

Jenny Kerr is a friend from Shandon Baptist Church. Her boys go to my school!

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Fort Jackson Twin Lakes & Old Heise's Pond

Fort Jackson!

What a rustic surprise! I felt like a kid roaming through the woods again! The trail on the fort is pretty long. So I picked a part of it that was farthest from the gate. I parked at Twin Lakes Park (beautiful). Then found the trail---not the asphalt one, but the one through the woods!

Above is a pic of a swamp. I wish it had come out clearer, but the foliage can't help but thrive in this damp summer we've been having.

The dogs and I took about 45 minutes and Map My Walk says we covered 2 miles.

Below is a Google Map of Twin Lakes (bottom left corner) and Old Heise's Pond (top right corner). The trail goes through the woods the whole time.

Ok, this is just a crazy side-note: only for those who really read the fine-print. On the way home from our walk, Dixiana rode in the front seat of the car. Then, about 10 minutes later, she jumped into the back seat and Fred came up front. Then, I swear, the word pi$$ed off took on a whole new meaning. That little dog peed on my back seat. I could NOT BELIEVE it!! The only saving grace was that the seat was covered with a sheet, and I had several dog towels with me, too. Bad dog.

Post Script: The mosquitoes and chiggers were about to carry me away!!! I swatted the entire walk--and killed quite a few! It wasn't until bedtime when I discovered I was COVERED in chigger bites. I wore capri-length work out pants, and all over my legs are bites. I've had to slather on the "Ivarest" lotion and Benadryl, too. I do NOT recommend this walk again until the fall or winter!
PSS: In the past, whenever I get poison ivy or some itching, annoying pain, I have taken it as an opportunity to be a reminder to pray for someone. So, as I was itching away Sunday, I was reminded to pray. But prayer for whom? I prayed for daughter of a friend, 14-year-old Katie Kendall. She has leukemia--but this week, while on a mission trip with my son, she has developed pneumonia. Itch-itch? Pray-pray!

Monday, June 24, 2013

Capital City Passage COMPLETE!! 6/24/13

Today I finished the Capital City Passage of the Palmetto Trail with Dana Walters pushing me on. (She is a FAST walker)! I was huffing and puffing the whole way. We started at Fort Jackson and walked up to Dreher High School via the back neighborhoods.
Here are our pics:

Now here is a story for you: My great grandfather

Ferdinand Luthy trained at Camp Jackson in 1917.

Dana Walters was Ben's 3-year-old Sunday school teacher--along with her husband David. Their son Seth has been Ben's best buddy since they were 3. They have moved to Louisiana, so this was an extra special treat.

This is the view from under the I-77 Bridge along Ft. Jackson. We've got our own ecosystem here!

This family must have brought their vacation memories home with them in the form of these beautiful shells (WHELKS--says Dana).

When I was a little girl, my brother Allen and I used to attend day camp. We would go swimming at Swope Park pool. All along the back fence were these flowers. I used to love to put them on each finger and walk around with beautiful nails.

(Guess you had to be there.)

My guess is that an engineer lives here.

Driveway full of tomatoes and cucumbers!

I'm lovin' the giant washtubs full of cucumbers!

How charming is that?

Friday, June 21, 2013

Capital City Continued--Wheat Street in Shandon 6-20-13

It is summer vacation! Yeah!! I can walk to my heart's content!
Fred, Dixiana and I walked down Wheat Street through Old Shandon from Saluda Avenue near Five Points to Dreher High School (Ott Street).