Swan Lake Iris Gardens, Sumter, SC

Swan Lake Iris Gardens has been on my SC bucket list for a long time. I finally made it to the gardens earlier this summer, and this is a destination that will not disappoint!

At right about an hour from Columbia, this park is the perfect day trip! Parking is easy, and once you arrive, you will be immediately captivated by the various swans and their surroundings. There is a short path which allows you to walk alongside the pond and its entire perimeter. Along the way, you can view the swans in their natural habitats and other hidden surprises such as a Braille garden and a butterfly park. There are all types of swans to observe and the grounds are truly amazing!

When you are finished walking along the pond, you can travel across the elevated pedestrian bridge which takes you across the street into another garden. Although I did not spot any swans on this side of the garden, I was able to observe lots of other wildlife, including several birds. A wooden boardwalk allows you to walk across the top of wetland area.

The best part about the park? It's absolutely free! Be sure to stop by sometime in mid-May or early-June to see the 25 species of full blooming Japanese irises! (I barely missed this window, but it was still a lot of fun!). For more information, visit: http://www.sumtersc.gov/swan-lake-iris-gardens.aspx!

Go in peace,
Kindest Warrior

Community in the Garden - USC Arboretum Tour

Recently, I came across and article on the University of South Carolina’s W. Gordon Besler Arboretum, right here in the heart of Columbia, SC and just off of Divine Street. I had no idea that such a vast nature preserve existed within Columbia!

Excited by the prospect of the Arboretum, I gathered several friends who were also eager to experience an educational adventure on a Sunday afternoon. We entered the park and found laminated maps that were available and identified the different sections of the preserve. There are 10 different biomes within the Arboretum, including the Eastern Prairie, the Bottomland Hardwood Forest, the Upland Hardwood Forest, the Wetland Community, the Riparian Community, the American Beech Forest, the Bright-Resistant American Chestnut Forest, the Bald Cypress Swamp, the Ice Age Relict Community, and the Pine Grove.

We started down the Arboretum Loop, passing “The Orchard” and an outdoor classroom for USC students. Just beyond the classroom, we ventured down a side-path to the “Zen Garden.” The path was a bit overgrown, and we even had to veer off of it at one point due to a beautifully constructed spider web that we wanted to preserve. The path abruptly ended with a fallen tree, so we turned around to return to the main pathway. Once we got closer to Arboretum Loop, we were greeted by a crowd of people and immediately captivated by the conservational spirit of Dr. Pat DeCoursey. Since 2007, Dr. DeCoursey has dedicated thousands of volunteer hours to renovating the Arboretum, and in 2011, she was awarded the 2011 South Carolina Environmental Awareness Award for re-foresting the W. Gordon Besler Arboretum. She is the face of the Arboretum and greets guests during the Sunday Open Houses. 

Dr. DeCoursey told us that the reason that the trail that we were exploring was closed off was because the Arboretum experienced a tremendous amount of damage earlier in the summer from a storm. Many large trees fell, and volunteers are still working to clear all of the debris. We were sad to miss the Zen Garden, but there was a lot more for us to see!

By this time, we had gathered with a local father and his seven year old son, listening to Dr. DeCoursey tell us more about the Arboretum. She had promised the son a tasting of the fruit of the PawPaw Tree, and she invited us to return to the picnic table by the entrance to try a piece of the fruit. I had never heard of a PawPaw Tree, but she pointed them out to us along the way and also explained that they are the largest trees in North America that produce edible fruit. Who knew? Native to Kentucky, these trees produce a round, cylindrical fruit which tasted to us like a cross between a mango and a banana with a rich texture and large seeds.

PawPaw Fruit in Tree

PawPaw Fruit

PawPaw Fruit

After enjoying the fruit and talking with the group around the picnic table for some time, we were sad to part with Dr. DeCoursey as she had other visitors to attend to, but we were excited to explore the rest of the Arboretum Loop on our own. The loop includes many biomes, and we especially liked the Cypress Swamp which reminded us of our recent visit to Cypress Gardens. The swamp was mostly dried up since it has been such a warm summer, and we all commented that this would be a wonderful place to visit monthly to see how the plants and surrounding look different during each season. One of my favorite plants was a tree with bright fuchsia colored berries.

In the short time that we were with her in the Arboretum, Dr. DeCoursey was able to engage our diverse group, educate us on wide variety of plants in the Arboretum, and create a sense of community among strangers. I would highly recommend a trip to the USC Arboretum. Please be advised that the Arboretum is only open to the public the third Sunday of every month from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m., so be sure to plan ahead for this afternoon of exploration. Located at 4080 Bloomwood Road within the residential Sherwood Forest district, only street parking is available. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. For more information, visit http://arboretum.biol.sc.edu/. 

Go in peace,
Kindest Warrior

God’s Acre, Where Mineral Waters Flow and Heal

About an hour from Columbia, SC, spiritual waters flow in the God’s Acre Healing Springs, right outside of the small town of Blackville, SC. Thousands of locals and tourists flock to the springs each year to cleanse their spirits in the free flowing mineral waters.

Legend has it that during the Revolution War, four British soldiers were injured and expected to die. The local Indians found the soldiers and began caring for them, specifically instructing them to drink the healing water. Within days, these soldiers were reporting back to Charleston for duty.

Since that time, the land has changed hands, and Healing Springs Baptist Church was constructed next to the site; but the mineral springs still run strong and attract believers who swear by the healing properties of the water.

The historical marker at the site states, “Ownership of these springs passed from native ‘Indian’ tribes who revered them to an Indian trader, Nathaniel Walker, who bought them with corn. The site passed through several hands until it was acquired by L.P. Boylston. On July 21, 1944, he deeded the land and springs to GOD. The waters, by analysis are exceptionally pure and contain healthful minerals. People today, as in the past, believe they truly are Healing Springs.”

Because the site has been deeded to God, no one pays taxes on it. Gallons of mineral waters flow from pipes at site every minute, and visitors bring everything from ordinary cups to huge containers holding 5 or more gallons to fill up and take with them home. A large sign at the springs notes, “This historical property has been deeded to God for public use, please revere God by keeping it clean.”

To me, the springs have a very spiritual, peaceful presence. Just beyond the flowing pumps is a shallow creek with a cross just beyond it, reflecting in the water. The cross bears the scripture, “Behold I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and dine with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20). The cross, always adorned with seasonal flowers, welcomes visitors to a moment of prayer and meditation at this site of healing.

I love visiting God’s acre, and I make a point to return several times a year and bring large containers to share with friends or to freeze the water for later use. I am always amazed at the diverse demographics of those visiting the springs. No matter who we are or where we come from, we all need God’s healing waters to cleanse our souls.

If you are planning to visit the springs, be sure to bring lots of empty containers (empty juice and milk containers are perfect) to make the trip worth your while. Also, bring a few extra dollars in cash. Some of the locals sell produce in the parking lot during the summer months, and there is a neat Mennonite General Store at the corner of Healing Springs Road and SC 3. Be sure to stop in if you have the chance!  

Go in peace,

Kindest Warrior

Hello, Seattle! From SC to SEA!

I am really excited about moving to Seattle in the middle of September! I have lived in Columbia, SC since 2006, and I can’t wait to experience a new part of the country and all of the activities Seattle has to offer.

However, I have enjoyed living in Columbia, and this summer I have been trying to get the most out of living here by tackling my “Before I Leave SC” bucket list (https://www.pinterest.com/monicakscott/before-i-leave-sc/). Don’t get me wrong, I’m really looking forward to my future Seattle adventures (https://www.pinterest.com/monicakscott/moving-to-seattle/), but I wish I had known about some of these neat places that I have found in South Carolina and the surrounding areas to explore sooner!

So, until I move to Seattle in September, I am going to highlight some of the great exploring that is available in and around South Carolina. Stay tuned for adventures posted daily.

Go in peace,

Kindest Warrior