Trip Report

Brookgreen Gardens and Huntington Beach - Richard Boland

The entire day was serendipity! While the weather was cool, the companionship of the eight souls who ventured forth was as warm and satisfying as the she crab soup we enjoyed for lunch.

Brookgreen is an enchanting place in the fall of the year. The special sounds and colors of the season allowed us to put aside the gruesome news of the day and simply enjoy a peaceful and joyful time.

Our visit to the Lowcountry Center gave us an understanding of the time and toil required to build Brookgreen and other rice plantations. We left with an appreciation for the men and women who physically labored with primitive tools to plant and harvest the rice.

We were impressed with the volunteers who added so much to our experience. The guide on our boat trek through the creeks behind Brookgreen entertained us with her wit and shared her considerable knowledge of the history of the area and the growing and processing of rice, all the while pointing out the turtles, alligators and birds which inhabit the area.

A charming English lady enthusiastically introduced us to some of the seasonal flora of the garden, which included: Ginger Lily, Endless Summer Hydrangea, Edgeworthia chrysantha (Paper Bush), Daphne odora (Winter Daphne), Holly Leaf Tea Olive, lemon-scented Marigold and Camellia sinensis (Tea Plant).

Arlene summed it up very nicely as we got into the van to depart; "This has been a special day." To that we all said, "AMEN."

Thanks to Chappy for organizing the trip and for driving.