Congaree National Park
Congaree National Park protects the the largest remaining tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in North America. Not knowing much about Congaree while entering, we were astonished by the biodiversity that surrounds you. I assumed it was going to be a big swamp, but quickly realized I was wrong. Just the sheer size of the American Beech tree and Loblolly’s that you see are worth the visit alone. It’s odd finding out that Congaree is one of the least visited National Parks, because we found it to be stunning. The cultural history and natural beauty is something to behold.
We were a little strapped for time, so we opted to take the boardwalk tour. The tour is 2.6 miles that starts at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center with an elevated section that leads you into the forest. Just some of the trees you come across are Bald Cypress, Tupelo, Oak, Maple, and Loblolly Pines that average 130 ft. in height. I could ramble on about Congaree, I highly suggest you give it a shot if you have the opportunity. I have two photos that I’d like to point out, followed by all the pictures below. Keep reading.
We found this photo to be extremely moving, because just a few miles from here the Congaree and Wateree Rivers meet. A Maroon settlement once existed of escaped slaves. The rivers provided travel, finding food and acquiring supplies. Due to the dense vegetation in the floodplain, it provided safety. The slave owners and catchers found it too difficult and dangerous to traverse through the forest in pursuit. While leaving Congaree to our next destination, you are surrounded by 29,000 acres of cotton fields. It really makes a connection to the photo and gives emotions that are hard to describe in words. Below is a photo of another wonder of the forest that still can’t be entirely understood to this day.
This picture doesn’t really do it much justice, but these little guys are everywhere. What the heck are they? Well, it turns out that we don’t really know! the Bald Cypress tree produces “knees” that rise up from the roots of the tree and can be seen throughout the forest floor. While their function isn’t understood, it’s believed they provide support during heavy winds and floods, and Congaree absolutely floods. The Catawba and Congaree Indian tribes used these “knees” to build canoes. When logging started in the late 1800’s, the “knees” were used for everything from roof shingles to bridges. That is why there are so few old-growth Bald Cypress trees today.
Our Congaree National Park was brief, but outstanding to say the least. Harry Hampton (1897-1980) was a journalist and conservationist who was instrumental in the establishment of the park, and thankfully for him we are able to see the natural sights and sounds of this protected forest. The same sights and sounds that the Catawba and Congaree tribes, escaped slaves, and ancestors that came before us have. The rest of the pictures are below. Here is Congaree’s website: https://home.nps.gov/cong/index.htm Next stop Charleston, South Carolina. Let’s Go!
