Best Kept Secret in the South

If you’re wondering what the best kept secret in the South is, stay with me! We have just returned from a quick camping trip about 4 hours from Raleigh NC. The trip included some dear friends both old and new. But! We had no idea how gorgeous the landscape would be. Nor did we have any idea we would be stumbling onto one of the most amazing Botanical and Sculpture Gardens in the world! But, before I elaborate, I want to welcome new readers here. So let’s get to it, shall we?

Small Spaces Special Places

Welcome new readers! Each year, I select a theme for my weekly paintings. This year’s is “Small Spaces Special Places.” Why? I have been surprised, even delighted, with the small spaces in our house that have captured my eye.

Also, there are the special places I see on my daily dog walks. Each morning, rain or shine, I love getting outdoors and looking for things to paint. Some weeks, like this one, we’re traveling in our camper. We took a short trip to Huntington Beach State Park in South Carolina this past weekend. Wow! What a delightful place.

Anyway, if you are not subscribing to this blog yet and think you might enjoy a weekly dose of unique artwork with a dash of color and musings on life, sign up here. Let’s get to this week’s topic!

Two Maybe Even Three Best Kept Secrets in the South

Here’s the first best kept secret. It’s Huntington Beach which is a part of Huntington Beach State Park in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. The views and the skies are vast, spacious and wondrous. Our campsite is located a short walk from where I took this photo on our last morning there.

The Second Best Kept Secret in South Carolina

Besides the amazing beach, reasonably priced and spaced campsites, there are two more venues that I have to share. The first is called Atalaya and served as the winter residence for Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington. Anna was an accomplished sculptor originally from Cambridge, MA. She and her husband were responsible for what is today known as Huntington Beach State Park and Brookgreen Gardens. And, now, dear reader, we reveal the third best kept secret in South Carolina.

The Third Best Kept Secret in South Carolina

Yes the beach at Huntington is fantastic. And, you can imagine a different time and place when you visit the walls of Atalaya. But, there is nothing quite like Brookgreen Gardens. The sculptures from all over the world are magnificent. For instance, look at this granite sculpture called “Pegasus” by Laura Gardin Fraser.

This sculpture is so incredibly huge! You can practically feel the earth tremble as you see Pegasus make it’s way towards you. The description of the sculpture indicates the granite carver took six years to complete this monumental work.

Next Up

Here’s the next beautiful and diminutive sculptural antidote to the Pegasus sculpture. And, yes, this is a sculpture by August Saint-Gaudens. Isn’t it beautiful?! These are just a few of the delights you will see if you (when you – I hope) visit this 9100 acre slice of heaven.

Shark Diver

Imagine creating such an incredible and buoyant piece of artwork out of bronze? The sculptor, Frank Eliscu, did so with this stunning work of art.

Call of the Bison

This next sculpture, by Herb Mignery, was and is my absolute favorite. It’s bronze and was finished in 2005. The life like gestures of the two hunters are fantastic. What an incredible piece! But there are still so many sculptures at Brookgreen Garden to see.

Harvest For the World

As we were driving home from camping and visiting this garden, we passed a long, long row of cars pulled over to the side of the highway. When I say long, I mean 2 miles or so. They looked as if they were waiting in line. If we were living at any other time, I would think these cars were lined up for a festival or a concert. But it was 11 a.m. on a Tuesday morning before Thanksgiving. I felt some dread as I looked beyond the cars to see their destination: a Food Bank.

If you have any room in your budget, please consider donating to your local food bank. Here’s a link to the Food Bank in North Carolina. And, here’s a link to the Food Bank in South Carolina. Here’s hoping there’s more abundance and food in the days ahead particularly for those who need it the most.

Since we’re celebrating Thanksgiving this week, I will share a painting I completed a year ago. I absolutely love painting these luscious and orange vegetables. Who knows I will probably paint another one before this year is out. But in the meantime, here’s “Harvest for the World” the painting and the blog post I wrote one year ago. Goodness I hope we see more abundance for those in need soon!

Happy Thanksgiving

Here’s to you, dear reader! I am grateful for each and everyone of you. I hope that you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Please consider adding Huntington Beach State Park and Brookgreen Gardens to your 2022 visit list. You will be delighted I am sure.

Well there you have it! Do you have a best kept secret from your region? If so, please do share in the comments below and thank you!