Sewee Shell Mound

Jake (my dog) and I visited Sewee Shell Mound (or Ring) on Sunday.  It was a warm and dry day so we set off for the 15 minute drive to the Francis Marion National Forest.  Finding streets and roads in South Carolina can be a challenge if you were not born and raised here so of course I took the wrong road but somehow it got me there anyway.  I did notice that one of the roads they showed on the map was closed and even if it was open you wouldn't be able to drive it even with a 4-wheeler - it was totally grown up with trees in it!

The trail immediately leads to the dense brown winter woods.  I missed the green of summer but not the bugs of summer so winter really is a good time for the forests.  Jake enjoyed being off leash as there were no others on the trail.  He instinctively knew to stay on the trail which he said was littered with wonderful smells.

With all the brown, this palmetto gave a little relief, but doesn't it look kind of lonely all by itself?

Suddenly we were in a small area that was totally pine trees and it looked like an accumulation of pine needles from the centuries.  I loved it.  Enlarge the picture to enjoy it.

'Notice' that the sign refers to 'Prehistoric' objects.  That's right!  The ruins are believed to be over 4,000 years old!

 This is the Shell Ring or Shell Mound which is believed to have hosted ceremonies for the ancient Indians.

After the woods we came out to a huge marsh.  Why do I always seem to time it at low tide?

 Check it out sometime.  (If you live in the area of course)  We both enjoyed it very much.  But keep in mind when you do go that there is NO bathroom!!