I Like Thursday #30 - Exploring

My husband and I like exploring new places.  When we were given the opportunity to stay in a relative's home in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, we welcomed the chance to visit a state we'd never been to before.

There are so many things we liked about visiting South Carolina.  Of course, putting my toes in the Atlantic Ocean was high on my list!

I like finding treasures on the beach, too.  There was someone living in this shell, so I put him back after we took this picture!

I like seeing animals that are unusual back where I live!  These swans live at Swan Lake Iris Gardens in Sumter, South Carolina.  If you look closely, by the feeder, you'll see baby swans!

Although I have never been on a cruise, I like riding in boats! This little tour took us out to an island where we could walk the beach and look for shells.  Along the way we learned a lot about the history of the area (especially the rice plantations) and saw bald eagles and alligators that live on the barrier islands.

I like seeing different kinds of architecture, especially in old and historical Charleston.

And the beautiful wrought iron fences and gates.

I especially loved the Live Oaks - the big oak trees you see in the south.  I learned that they are evergreen oaks, and don't lose their leaves like other kinds of oaks do.  Their strong, curving, and low-hanging branches were once used in ship-building for the curved parts of the hull.  (I never knew that before!)

I even like doing touristy things once in awhile.  We walked on the boardwalk in Myrtle Beach and even rode the Sky Wheel, a big ferris wheel with enclosed gondolas.  We got a great view of the beach from up so high!

And we rode in a horse-drawn wagon around historical Charleston.  That was a lot of fun!

The end of vacation is both sad and happy - I was sad it was over, but happy to come home.  And I really like coming home!

Happy Thursday, friends!  I'm joining in with the I Like Thursday crew over at Not Afraid of Color.  See you there!