Annoying Early Morning Sunlight
Based on a "spur of the moment" suggestion from Earl Bergen, a co-worker, we decided that our next camping adventure would be to Hunting Island, SC. We left after work Friday and headed towards the State Park which is about 12 miles east of Beaufort, SC. As we approached Beaufort, we called the campground to check the number of available sites. We were informed that only four sites were left, (out of about 200 sites.) When we arrived, we were lucky to get a site. We struggled to back our camper in to site 181, due to our inexperience. We managed to get the camper in the site and near the electrical and water connections. There was no on-site sewage, however, there were two dump stations within the campground. We set up the camper, relaxed awhile, and then began to explore the intriguing state park.
We visited the camp store and found an abundance of camping supplies, firewood for sale, snacks, gifts and souvenirs. We left the camp store and proceeded to the beach. At Hunting Island, one moment there are woods, then the next thing you notice, the woods thin, and you are right on the beach. The reservable camp sites are near the beach. It is nice to be on the beach with your camper, but your camper is subject to wind buffeting, sand, and ocean spray on your camper. The camp sites in the more wooded areas are better protected from these elements. The beach was pristine and not crowded. We then went back to our camper and checked out the news and weather on our small 5" TV, ate supper, and waited for nightfall. We then walked back to the beach and experienced a beautiful, clear, night sky. You could see the "Milky Way" and thousands of stars. It was a sight to behold.
We went to bed around 11pm. Thanks to a "viscoelastic" bed topper, that was purchased from QVC, we slept soundly throughout the night. Around 6:30am, we were awakened by bright annoying sunlight visible through the tent-end canvas.
We got up, cleaned up, ate breakfast, then decided to check out the public access beach and lighthouse about a half mile down the road. The beach was nice and the lighthouse (although closed,) was very picturesque. We had a great time.
We later went to Beaufort to visit a friend. Afterwards we ate supper at Outback. We then headed back to our campsite arriving just in time to see an unexpected visitor...A deer!!!
We went inside the camper and checked the parameters of the battery, black water, grey water, etc., only to find that our gray water tank was full. We had brought a 5 - 6 gallon bucket with us. We drained about 5 gallons of grey water in to the bucket and drove to the dump site to empty it. This procedure was repeated several times to empty the 25 gallon grey water tank.
Night fell and we went to bed around 11pm and slept well until daybreak. We got up, ate breakfast, and then prepped the camper for our voyage home. As we were leaving, we emptied the black and grey water tanks at the dump site.
We made it home safely around 2pm. With the help of a neighbor, the camper was backed in to the driveway. We will definitely return to this wonderful State Park in the future.
Here are some pictures taken at Hunting Island:
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