I had forgotten until I got on the road that I had never been on I-40 east of Knoxville since I have previously dropped down 81 from the northeast to get on 40 and go home to Texas.
I-40 east of Knoxville driving into the Smokies
The drive through the Smokies is spectacular with constantly winding roads until you get past Asheville in North Carolina. This corner of NC that I cut through was beautiful. The terrain changes pretty quickly once you enter South Carolina. The mountains go away, but I felt like I was driving through a green tunnel. I knew there has to be homes and businesses along the road, but for the most part they were hidden by a wall of trees except for sections of larger cities.
First day touring around the Charleston area was to Beaufort and Hunting Island State Park. Hunting Island is past Beaufort so we went out there first to wear out the dogs and make them happy. Sort of a priority for my sanity.
Insanely happy to be swimming in the oceanView of Hunting Island State Park beach to the southPark roads were narrow strips of asphalt with almost jungle like trees all aroundI had just been threatening Nikki with dire consequences when I turned and saw this signHunting Island Lighthouse
Nikki and EllieBoardwalk out to viewing area of marshes
Palm trees and Spanish moss — I loved it
Bridge back to mainland — stopped to let Shrimp boat go through
Looking for something else and stumbled onto this 1740 chapel
Chapel of Ease
Beaufort waterfront park
Park
Hot and tired dogs
Sacked out in front of the air conditioner — peace at last
