Poinsett State Park, South Carolina

After my hike in hot, humid Congaree National Park I had a strong desire to immerse myself in water. I consulted my atlas and headed to nearby Poinsett State Park which had a very nice free lake. As a bonus there was absolutely no one there when I got there so I also got to sit out the heat of the afternoon reading in an Adirondack chair in the shade after taking a dip in the lake. Tough life, I know.

After the afternoon cooled off, I wandered around the lake a bit, explored the ruins of the pre-revolutionary grist mill, did some yoga, and finally, made some dinner. As I was packing my stove back in my trunk a car pulled up next to me and the three people inside started up a conversation. After a few minutes they headed off to find camping and without thinking I wished them a good weekend. They looked at me like I was crazy, paused, and then informed me it was Wednesday. Oops.

View of Poinsett State Park Lake, Poinsett State Park, South Carolina

View of Poinsett State Park Lake, Poinsett State Park, South Carolina

Canoe on Poinsett Park Lake, Poinsett State Park, South Carolina

Canoe on Poinsett Park Lake, Poinsett State Park, South Carolina

Reflections and ripples on the surface of Poinsett Park Lake, Poinsett State Park, South Carolina

Reflections and ripples on the surface of Poinsett Park Lake, Poinsett State Park, South Carolina

Sluiceway for pre-revolutionary grist mill, Poinsett State Park, South Carolina

Sluiceway for pre-revolutionary grist mill, Poinsett State Park, South Carolina

Pre-revolutionary grist mill ruins, Poinsett State Park, South Carolina

Pre-revolutionary grist mill ruins, Poinsett State Park, South Carolina

Water level at the base of the falls, Poinsett State Park, South Carolina

Water level at the base of the falls, Poinsett State Park, South Carolina

I just thought this was cool: underwater below falls from sluiceway, Poinsett State Park, South Carolina

I just thought this was cool: underwater below falls from sluiceway, Poinsett State Park, South Carolina