Category: South Carolina

Charleston’s National Park Sites

Posted on by Eat Your Paisley in Charleston, National Parks, South Carolina, Travel, Work

There is just something about the water, it brings me peace, it operates the dream factory, it grabs my glance and threatens to not let go. Arriving at Liberty Square to catch the boat to Fort Sumter I was already in love, a view of the harbor with the Ravenel bridge in the background will woo anyone, even a local.  The thirty minute boat ride out to the fort is narrated with a historical overview and filed with pelicans diving for lunch and dolphins surfacing in the harbor. Once out at Fort Sumter the 360 degree view is just majestic, the harbor, the Ravenel bridge, Charleston, the Atlantic Ocean, sailboats, and massive cargo ships.

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Totally Fun- Food, Beer, Eclipse and a Visitor.

Posted on by Eat Your Paisley in Charleston, National Parks, South Carolina, Travel

Moving around from one city to another and changing states always keeps life interesting. You get settled into routines and jobs while gathering favorite spots to hang out and meet good friends you hate to leave. Our first jobs at Amazon allowed us to meet travelers like ourselves so as you waved goodbye you hoped it was true when you said “until we meet again”. In August, with Charleston in the path of totality for the solar eclipse, we managed to make those parting goodbyes come true. We met Gary in Boyd, Texas, he was parked in the same campground just a few spaces up from ours. Gary was the guy who informed us about South Padre and we also became campground neighbors there. Having familiarity in a strange place is very comforting. Fast forward 15 months and Gary hopped on a plane to come visit.

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Ninety Six National Historic Site: A view through the eyes of a rangers’ wife.

Posted on by Eat Your Paisley in National Parks, South Carolina, Work

I sat at my desk one day, unhappy, contemplating what job I would find rewarding. At that time my love of the National Parks had just begun and the idea of a Park Service job became a dream. This was all less than three years ago and my love of the National Parks is still strong and I get to enjoy being a park rangers’ wife for the time being. We typically plan our trips around visiting National Park sites and the seed for this alternative lifestyle was planted during a tent camping trip visiting multiple NPS sites. That being said it wasn’t a surprise when we decided to seek employment as a ranger and Jamie was the lucky one/guinea pig. Continue reading “Ninety Six National Historic Site: A view through the eyes of a rangers’ wife.” →

A year in review: Our 2nd year, doing what we do…

Posted on by Eat Your Paisley in National Parks, South Carolina, Travel
Lake Greenwood, Cross Hill, S.C.

Reflecting on the past year sends a tornado of thoughts and images through my mind. What a difference a year can make! I struggled to write our first year’s journey because we had just began to glimpse what this last year’s challenges would be. Our lives last year didn’t envolve shiny new campgrounds or multiple state road trips but it did test us in many ways and strongly reminded us that life is precious and we needed to enjoy it while we can.

New Belgium Brewery, Asheville, N.C.

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Throw All Plans Out the Window

Posted on by Eat Your Paisley in South Carolina

Just remember I love you

And it will be alright~ Firefall

I struggle to know where to begin this part of our story for the simple fact I wish this wasn’t our story. I know there were good times but all in all, the pain dilutes those moments to a fuzzy grey. We arrived in Cross Hill, South Carolina two carefree kids out on a grand adventure to see the United States in our camper one move at a time. This was our third new place to call “home” for a brief stay and needless to say we left not quite the same.

Moving from an Island in Texas to a rural town in South Carolina would take some time getting adjusted to. I had looked forward to the lakefront campground only to be escorted to the “residential area” nowhere near the lake. We moved because this job was an opportunity to get in with the National Park Service and we were committed to making it work. Yes, we live in a camper so we didn’t have to stay in a place we weren’t happy, but it was temporary and we felt the pros outweighed the cons. When we move, there is always the challenge of work, bills still have to be paid and exploring new areas isn’t always cheap. I was offered a job at the campground while we were parking the camper so that obstacle was quickly out of the way.

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