We arrived at Huntington Beach State Park at Murrell's Inlet South Carolina on 13 Nov 2023 for three nights. We had planned to see our good friend Susan who lives in Awendaw (Charleston) SC, but she had show-stopping back pain when we were there. She had texted the day before we arrived that our lunch date might be in jeopardy and it was in fact cancelled. Anita was looking forward to lunch at TW Graham's in Mcclellanville SC on the 14th. Maybe next time.
Huntington Beach State Park 13 Nov 2023 beautiful clouds and blue sky
On the day we arrived, we went for a walk on the nature trail known as "Alligator Alley". We actually did see alligators! We had binoculars for bird watching, but the alligators caught our attention. They were in the water and thankfully not bothered by us. I think we saw a total of five!
13 Nov 2023
Nature Walk at Huntington Beach State Park 13 Nov 2023
(10 foot alligator?) Nature Walk at Huntington Beach State Park 13 Nov 2023
Nature Walk at Huntington Beach State Park 13 Nov 2023
Nature Walk at Huntington Beach State Park 13 Nov 2023
Nature Walk at Huntington Beach State Park 13 Nov 2023
Nature Walk at Huntington Beach State Park 13 Nov 2023
Nature Walk at Huntington Beach State Park 13 Nov 2023
Nature Walk at Huntington Beach State Park 13 Nov 2023
This was right over the dune from our campsite at Huntington Beach State Park 13 Nov 2023
This was right over the dune from our campsite at Huntington Beach State Park 13 Nov 2023
This was right over the dune from our campsite at Huntington Beach State Park 13 Nov 2023
We did alot within the state park again, due to there being so many interesting things to do, but also because of so much traffic outside the park. We took the tour of the castle at the park entrance. It is the Atalaya (Spanish word for Watch Tower) Castle. Archer Huntington had the castle built in 1931 and it was a winter getaway for Archer and Anna. Anna Hyatt Huntington was a prominent sculptor who enjoyed sculpting animals. She would bring animals (including bears, rare birds, )with her from New York to South Carolina. Annna sculpted from viewing live subjects and never sketched a "plan". During our tour of the castle, we learned that Archer Huntington had the castle built without drawn plans. He would just tell the construction workers what to build as they went along.
Tour of Atalaya Castle at Huntington Beach State Park 14 Nov 2023
Tour of Atalaya Castle at Huntington Beach State Park 14 Nov 2023
Tour of Atalaya Castle at Huntington Beach State Park 14 Nov 2023
Tour of Atalaya Castle at Huntington Beach State Park 14 Nov 2023
Tour of Atalaya Castle at Huntington Beach State Park 14 Nov 2023
Tour of Atalaya Castle at Huntington Beach State Park 14 Nov 2023
Tour of Atalaya Castle at Huntington Beach State Park 14 Nov 2023
Tour of Atalaya Castle at Huntington Beach State Park 14 Nov 2023
Tour of Atalaya Castle at Huntington Beach State Park 14 Nov 2023
Tour of Atalaya Castle at Huntington Beach State Park 14 Nov 2023
Tour of Atalaya Castle at Huntington Beach State Park 14 Nov 2023
Tour of Atalaya Castle at Huntington Beach State Park 14 Nov 2023
Tour of Atalaya Castle at Huntington Beach State Park 14 Nov 2023
Tour of Atalaya Castle at Huntington Beach State Park 14 Nov 2023
This look of dripping between layers was called the "Huntington Squeeze" during construction of Atalaya. (Moorish design)
On our last day we went on a bird watching tour with a local guide. Richard Costa is a retired dentist and high school science teacher from New Jersey. He is very knowledgeable about SC birds and was very generous with his time as group members had to leave and it was eventually just Steve and Anita. Richard spent another 1.5 hours with us in hopes of seeing a late migrating Painted Bunting seen earlier that week. We saw 49 species of birds that day!
Little Blue Heron 15 Nov 2023
A Sanderling at our feet hatched at the Artic Circle 15 Nov 2023
Snowy Egrets and Ibis Nov 15 2023
Later on our last day we went out to Murrell's Inlet fishing village. There is a half mile wooden boardwalk along the estuary, which we did not walk this time, but it looked inviting. We went to Wicked Tuna Fishing Charters for information on their head boat fishing trips. We didn't have time this trip, but the prices were good. We got some fresh shrimp and oysters at a seafood market for a nice dinner that night.
Murrell's Inlet 15 Nov 2023
Last night at Huntington Beach State Park 15 Nov 2023
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