Roadtrip, Day 2... Columbia to Wilmington

Day 2

Monday May 19, 2025

    A few notes about this LaQuinta Inn.  I don't remember a darker motel room.  No light leaking in through the curtains at all.  And they spread the guests out.  So there was no one on either side.  Quite nice actually.

     And a day that starts like this, can't be bad.

    

     An early thought for this trip was to stop in Columbus and take a return visit to Congaree National Park.  It's a swamp and thus prone to mosquitos...lots of mosquitos.  It probably wouldn't be too bad yet.  But, they're also doing work on some trails and boardwalks.  So, another time.

     Instead, I chose Sesquicentennial State Park.  The park was established in 1936, the City of Columbia's hundred and fiftieth anniversary.

    There are two main trails in the park.  The Loop Trail runs a little over three and a half miles.  Most of it used to be a park road.  So, it's nice and wide.  It also goes from old pavement to packed sand.  With minimal elevation gain, it makes for an easy walk.

     I'm famiar with polo.  I'm just not sure what this sign means.

    Toward the end of the loop, I passed a retired couple out walking three greyhounds.  

     There's a second loop trail that's two miles and mostly follows the lake.

   All told, it was a little over five and a half miles.  

   From the park, it was time to keep heading East towards Wilmington, North Carolina.  The drive  took a little over three and a half hours.  

  

     At the end of the day, I found myself in my usual spot, the touristy area along the Cape Fear River.  

     Just off camera to the left was a small wedding party.  The DJ played "Put a Ring On It."  That struck me as odd since the groom already had.

      I just walked up and back a few times watching the late colors change.