Congaree National Park in central South Carolina is the largest remnant of old growth floodplain forest in the U.S.. Less than one-half of one percent of what once was 35 million acres in the Southeast U.S. remains.
You can take all the tea in China
Put it in a big brown bag for me
Tupelo trees, Cedar Creek, Congaree National Park
Along with Tupelo, Bald Cypress grows throughout the floodplain. The knees are still a mystery. Perhaps support in flood conditions, perhaps an air exchange.
She's as sweet as Tupelo honey
She's an angel of the first degree
Bald Cypress knees
The Congaree was a shelter for runaway slaves during the Civil War. After the war, many former slaves farmed the floodplains and established towns in the uplands.
You can't stop us on the road to freedom
You can't keep us 'cause our eyes can see
Tupelo and Cypress
I’ve never gotten more aerobic exercise on a flat trail. Despite covering myself in insect repellent, whenever I’d stop walking, a cloud of mosquitoes would surround me, so moving fast was the best repellent. However, the fast pace had me miss seeing the 5 foot coachwhip snake, and we gave each other a good fright. My heart rate got another boost startling two feral hogs in underbrush. It was a memorable hike.
Boardwalk trail among the Tupelo
She's as sweet as Tupelo honey
Just like honey, baby, from the bee
Van Morrison
Bald Cypress, Congaree National Park, South Carolina