More than a decade ago when I traveled south with friends, we skipped South Carolina because we thought there was nothing special there. These days I’ve been researching about tax friendly states for retirement (because of Maryland’s high income and property taxes). South Carolina appears on top of the list. Therefore, I went to experience South Carolina myself.

Although the lower housing prices and property and income taxes are really appealing, I couldn’t decide whether to move down there yet. Another visit to SC in the hot and humid summer is necessary. We were lucky to travel there when the temperature was in the 70’s in mid-May which is rare per the local weather news.

In addition to collecting the information, we visited the Congaree National Park, which is south of Columbia, on an early Sunday morning. The park was flooded due to the heavy rain on Thursday, and part of the board walk loop was under water. However, the morning sun on the water created a magnificent swamp. It was very quiet. Time seemed stop and I was in an unfamiliar swamp surrounded by golden miracles…

Monkey head on a tree

Prothonotary Warbler nesting in a natural cavity