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Hunting Island Book

After spending the day in Beaufort, we drove out to Hunting Island: a semitropical barrier island that had been used in the 19th century for hunting (hence the name), and is now a State Park.

The park office is in the middle of a huge forest which stretches out along 6 miles of beach. A number of hiking and driving trails snake through the 50-acre area, which is home to alligators, raccoons, rattlesnakes and more. We started our exploration by climbing 167 steps to the top of a light tower from 1873 — out of use today, except as an unbeatable lookout point over the park.

After a quick stroll along the beach, we set out on a walking trail that led by a lagoon where fish were leaping out of the water. The fishermen lining the shore all had big smiles and full buckets. It was a beautiful day, and I was in a great mood. As the trail wound into the forest, I got to feeling energetic, “nature-y” and brave — which, as anyone who knows me could tell you, is a terrible combination. “WATCH THIS!” I shouted at Juergen. “I’m going to climb this palm tree like a monkey”.

Before Juergen could protest, I took a flying leap at the tree, grabbing it with my hands and feet. Plan: Scurry up a few feet and have a laugh. Reality: On contact, tons of prickly splinters entered my palms and I fell off backwards howling in pain. My hands were FULL of splinters. It was actually kind of scary to look at. Back home an hour later, I was able to get most of them out with tweezers, but seventeen had to be dug out with a needle. My hands have still not fully recovered.

Let this be a lesson to you youngsters! Don’t have fun in nature. Nature is scary and dangerous.

Hunting Island’s Official Webpage
Location on our Day Trips Map

- Our 91 Days in Oviedo, Spain