October 21 through 25 Oak
Plantation Campground in Charleston, South Carolina, $23.76
for water & elect. We were on a large grass site with plenty of
shade. Full-hookups were available but we did not need FHU. This is
a nice campground and we would recommend it if you are visiting the
area.
From Brunswick we ventured north to Charleston, South Carolina. Joyce's
sister's family lives in Charleston and we stopped to visit with them
for a few days. Jeff & Kathryn and our two grandsons met us in
Charleston. They stayed with Joyce's sister & her husband. As
a large group we did a variety of activities including a plantation
tour as well as walking around in downtown Charleston.
Angel Oak Charleston, South Carolina
One morning Joyce and I visited the famous Angel
Oak. Angel Oak is huge and ancient. It is named for Murtha
& Justin Angel who were previous owners.
The Angel Oak is a 1400 year old live oak tree located in Angel Oak
Park, that is owned by the city of Charleston. To find this old oak
tree we had to drive out to Johns Island, one of South Carolina's
Sea Islands. While this giant tree is only 65-feet tall, the crown
covers an area of 17,000 square feet.
Its longest limb is 11.5' in circumference and 89 feet long, now
that is one massive limb! Many trees, indeed even live oak trees would
be proud to have a trunk that was 11.5' in circumference.
Angel Oak
Angel Oak is a
giant among Southern Live Oak trees.
Live oak trees can be found throughout the south especially along
the coast.
Angel Oak is thought to be one of the oldest living things east of
the Mississippi River, or the Rocky Mountains for that matter.
Its limbs, the size of tree trunks themselves, are so large and heavy
that some of them rest on the ground (some even drop underground for
a few feet and then come back up), a feature common to only the very
oldest lived oaks. These massive draping limbs and widespread canopy
create an awe inspiring sight. Drooping limbs that touch the ground
are characteristic of very old live oak trees.
It has survived countless hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and human
interference.
Angel Oak
This is one of those limbs that stretch up to 89-feet from the trunk.
You can see how far this particular limb stretches beyond where Joyce
is standing. If you pay attention to this particular limb it falls
to the ground 3 times in this view alone.
Angel Oak
Angel Oak was damaged severely during Hurricane Hugo. In this picture
you can see several steel poles that help support the massive limbs.
Angel Oak has a
diameter of 11.25-feet and a circumference of just over 25-feet.
Angel Oak
Far from the trunk this massive limb rests on the ground before taking
to air once again resuming its search for sunlight.
That is all there is for this travel log.
