It is my honor to give you my impressions of the State of
South Carolina for this prestigious blog. My research indicates that much has
been written about the locations and geological diversity of this state, so I
would like to share other facts about South Carolina that I find fascinating.
Earth is an interesting planet, and planting our alien
leader in the State of South Carolina might seem a curious thing to most
humans. Why would we pick this location when we have the entire planet to
choose from? Certainly, I could have chosen a host residing in a more temperate
location. Our race arrived in August, and the first thing I learned about South
Carolina is that it isn’t the heat, it’s the humidity that gets to the human
host. Humidity levels are high all summer, but August seems to be the peak
season when the temperature and humidity combine to make it “famously hot,” as
the slogan for the City of Columbia indicates. Be prepared to be hot if you are
in South Carolina between April and October. Thank goodness Lake Murray is
nearby to cool off for recreational activities.
The subtropical location of South Carolina contributes to a
mild climate that creates opportunities for outdoor activities. One thing humans
enjoy are festivals. You can find a festival to attend many weekend in the
spring, summer, or fall in South Carolina. Some popular events include: The
Poultry Festival in Batesburg-Leesville in May; the Lexington County Peach
Festival on the 4th of July; the South Carolina Tobacco Festival in
Lake City; the Chapin Labor Day Festival; the Columbia Greek Festival and Irmo
Okra Strut in mid to late September; the SC State Fair in early to mid October,
the Craftsman’s Classic Art & Craft Festival (in Columbia in March and
November, and Myrtle Beach in August); the SC Oyster Festival in November; and
various cultural festivals throughout the year. The Soda City Market is open on
Main Street in Downtown Columbia every weekend, and there are various Farmers
Markets offering seasonal treats in the summer months. Riverbanks Zoo and the
Greenville Zoo are open year round to offer many recreational and educational opportunities.
Many are in the central part of the state, but the Low country is known for
various seafood festivals, and the upstate boasts good art and cultural events.
There are no major league sports, but there are many
colleges in the state who have been successful in competitive endeavors. Clemson
University won the national football championship in 2016. The University of
South Carolina won the national baseball championship in 2010, and the ladies
basketball team won the NCAA tournament in 2017. The College of Charleston also
won the national baseball championship in 2006 and 2014. People said there must
be something in the water to contribute to winning these titles, but I didn’t
detect any anomalies that would enhance athletic performance. Still, the
residents of this state are enthusiastic about their alumni schools and teams
of choice. Stadiums are often filled on weekends in the fall and spring here.
The good weather and diversity of geography also contributes
to a great deal of variety in this small state, but it might be bigger than you
think. Previous writers on this blog and elsewhere online have told you about the
bustling capitol city of Columbia (where my host resides), the historic beauty
of Charleston, the tourist charm of Myrtle Beach, the artistic communities in
upstate Greenville, and the charm of small towns all over the state. One thing
I find interesting is the dichotomy of the growth of the major cities like
Columbia, Charleston, and Greenville. South Carolina has become the number four
retirement destination in the nation. Add population growth due to many
colleges in the state with normal migration of young and middle age adults, and
the result is that many cities in South Carolina have seen exponential
population growth in the past two decades. The state population has grown by
nearly 900,000 since the 2000 census, and is projected to top 5 million by
2020. This small state offers opportunity for all people regardless of age,
demographics, educational status, or profession.
You can achieve many goals and
dreams in this small corner of the world. That’s amazing considering that it’s still
a rural state, and there are many small towns if you take an adventure off the
beaten path. Aiken
and Beaufort are both in the top ten of “The South’s Best Small Towns 2018” by
Southern Living Magazine. Most lists will give you locations on the coast,
like Hilton Head Island, Beaufort, McClellanville, and Georgetown, but the rest
of the state has charming locations. For example, there’s York (just south of
Charlotte, NC), and Traveler’s Rest in the upstate. And don’t forget the
countless state parks that offer
a variety of natural, cultural, and recreational opportunities in forests,
beaches, lakes, and the mountains. Make
reservations well in advance if you wish to stay in a State Park, as they book
up quickly year round!
Another great place to seek peace and solitude is Mempkin
Abbey in Moncks Corner. This Trappist Monistary welcomes the public to visit
for tours and prayers. Retreats can be scheduled if you desire more solitude
and reflection. This is one of many beautiful, peaceful locations in South Carolina
to “find yourself” if the hustle and bustle of those crowds and your full life
are getting to you. My host needs a respite from activity from time to time,
and am happy that this state offers locations away from the crowds for personal
reflection like this.
Spiritualism isn’t limited to Mempkin Abbey, as the entire
state is rich in history and spirit. The state is filled with ghost stories. You
can find spirits that connect you with the past anywhere in this state. The
Battery in Charleston (also called White Point Gardens) is one of the most
haunted places in the state, where the spirits of countless pirates who were
hung in the area roam to exact revenge on their executioners. Ironically, this
is also a popular spot for engagements and weddings (during the day).
Also on
the list of top haunted places are the South Carolina Lunatic Asylum in
Columbia, and the Greenville Tuberculosis Hospital in Greenville. The Salem
Black River Church in Sumter is haunted by a priest whose family was wiped out
by the plague. Then there’s The Abandoned Mansion in Santee, so named because
there are no government records of who built it, who lived there, or why it was
abandoned. People report seeing lights flickering in the upstairs windows.
Hell’s Gate in Spartanburg is the most haunted cemetery in the state, with
strange lights, mysterious mists, child’s laughter, and mysterious cell phone
disruptions and calls that result in a busy signal. I must admit a level of
impression over spirits who can manage your technology!
No doubt, this is an interesting state in all ways. It’s
rich in history, diverse in geography and culture, and full of opportunity for
all people. Best of all, it’s easy to travel to and through, as it had a number
of Interstate Highways and secondary roads, four Amtrack passenger routes, and
seven airports. There’s something for everybody here, no matter your age or
life purpose. Perhaps that’s why this area was so appealing to me: it might be
a small area, but it’s big in heart and history, and boundless in beauty and
opportunity.
Humans, the author is giving away a free ebook copy of any
of her titles through Amazon. Comment
on this post for a chance to win. Leave a form of contact so we can find you.
Sherri Fulmer Moore says: Most writers use their bio an explanation of
who they are and why they write. I'll make this simple. My name is Sherri
Fulmer Moorer. I write because I've always loved to do it, and ebooks gave me
an opportunity to share those stories with readers that I just couldn't pass
up. Plain and simple, I'm an opportunist. When the ebook revolution hit, I dove
in because I wanted to be involved on the front end of this new wave. Who
doesn't want to be part of a revolution?
I write in a variety of genres because I can't be pigeon holed into one area, and I'm many other things in addition to being an author. I work full time in professional licensing, which is great for keeping me in touch with people and reality and, in turn, inspires to write more. I'm married with two parrots that keep our hearts, home, and lives filled with joy and silliness that most people find strange. I'm a social media rambler, church volunteer and borderline introvert/extrovert who's kindred spirit, according to online quizzes, is Scooter from The Muppets when the introvert wins, and a Sith Inquisitor when the extrovert wins.
Visit my website: http://www.sherrithewriter.com
(All Material provided
by Author and: References:
Just finished reading the Earthside Trilogy and loved the idea of using main character from book for the post.
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