And then, I moved to the Charleston, SC area. Flat as a pancake. Not a rock in sight. I realized that what I needed to do was to switch to local materials to replace the stone on my prior pieces. That something would be shells.
I envisioned a myriad of new and different places to leave my slightly bizarre creations ... beaches, historic sites, lakes, parks and swamps to name a few. With my hanging stones, I relied on memory and a few unlabeled pictures to recall all the places they had been left. Let's face it, memory alone won't cut it any more. This time, I will do a better job of documentation utilizing my blog. I call the post "Into the Woods".
And I began again.
#1 Sewee Shell Circle
I began the southern version of my hanging sculptures with the Sewee Shell Circle Trail.
The shell circle is a 6000 year old, Native American site near Awendaw. It is a gentile, one mile hike with great views across the vast marshes. It has a boardwalk surrounding the circle itself.
In addition to the circle, is a clam shell midden that is only about 600 years old. After hiking this trail, I did some research and discovered that in a separate study of the site, 3 additional calms mounds were found. These mounds were found to be aligned with circle site and the equinoxes. I did a mobile sculpture using select oyster shelf halves from the Wando boat landing with rusty metal pieces, beads and a feather. I hung the piece along the trail. overlooking the marsh between the circle and the mound#2. I'on Swamp
My second excursion had me leaving the marsh behind and heading for I'on Swamp. It was still winter and the swamp was still asleep, but beautiful. In the past, some of this area was used for rice cultivation. I chose a side path amid some of the cypress trees to hang my sculpture. This is about a two mile loop. I can't wait for the weather to get warmer and come alive for my next trip.
Disappeared
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| I'on Swamp |
Anne and I attended a Cajun Festival at James Island Park .The park is one of the 10 Charleston County Parks that we can go to with our Gold Pass … senior citizens. After the festival and sated on crayfish, we checked out the dock nearby, I hung one of my hangings on the trail to the dock.8/6/16 - Checked for the hanging and it was missing.
Disappeared
#4. Palmetto Island Park
I coordinated the next hanging with Barrett and Quinn's (my grand niece and nephew) visit to Mt Pleasant. I wanted to involve them in making some type of a hanging themselves and then extend the activity with a hike.
We started with a trip to Folly Beach Park to beach comb for shells for their artwork. When we got home, I drilled holes in their shells and worked with them to create pieces to hang..jpg)
To my surprise, Quinn wanted to hang his at my house. He said it was because I did not have any of his art there. Naturally, I was ecstatic.
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Barrett and I would hang our work during a walk in Palmetto Island Park. We both chose spots along the tidal creek for our hangings. Mine even had a scavenged flipflop like a sculpture I had done in Vermont.
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| Palmetto Island Park |
5. Atalaya in Huntington State Park
Anne and I planned a visit to Huntington State Park and Atalaya, the winter home of Archer and Ann Huntington. Seems like the Huntington's is a familiar story from the past … robber baron makes a kazillion dollars number, or railroads or steel (I almost wrote steal) or whatever. In this case, however, the Huntngton's were very unique. Archer was a scholar, poet and philantrophist. Ann was a world-class sculptor. When Ann needed to move to a warmer climate for health reasons during the harsh winter months, they bought 9000 acres in the surf side Beach area of SC. Part of the acreage was leased to SC for the construction of Huntington State Park. On those grounds, they also constructed a winter home done in Moroccan style called "Atalaya". Nearby, they created Brookgreen Gardens … a magnificent garden and sculpture park to display Ann's work and that of other prominent American sculptors.
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| Atalaya at Huntington State Park |
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| Huntington State Park |
6. Lake Moultrie - - Russellville Landing
Since coming to SC, I have fished Lake Moultrie numerous times. The word online about Moultrie is mixed. Some say not to worry and others swear that you will be eaten by alligators. I have seen some small ones, but nothing like the huge one I saw at Goose Creek Reservoir. Nevertheless, I must say that Lake Moultrie continues to be a mystery to me. Just not doing something right or perhaps doing it at the wrong time in the wrong place. Regardless, it is definitely a beautiful place with lots of submerged stumps and trees. When you head out into the main lake, you can spend the day paddling around gorgeous cypress trees … and I have yet to go there that I have not seen a minimum of two eagles or ospreys or hawks.
I went early one morning, a morning that I just knew it was not going to rain … even though the weatherman said it was … even though it was spitting rain when I put the kayak in. I just had one of those feelings. Enough so, that I did not put on my rain gear. Two hundred yards later is when the skies let go. I pulled under the limbs of two cypress trees for shelter. The rain was coming down so hard that I could not see the front end of the kayak. When it finally let up, I realized that my shelter was the perfect spot to hang the sculpture that I had brought along.
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| Lake Moultrie |
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| Lake Moultrie |
Feb2016 - Removed. Found line cut.
7. Mt Pleasant in Belle Hall
It occurred to me one day that I was doing all of these sculptures, hanging them, and for the most part never seeing them again. From the town right of way behind my yard was a tree with a limb overhanging my fence. Granted it is not as nice as the live oak limb overhanging my yard that is way to high for an old guy like be to get to.
My next piece, I hung for "me" to enjoy. My neighbor spotted it the next day. No one has shown up with torches and pitchforks yet, so I guess it is okay. (It was a pretty tame one anyway.)
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| Home |
8. Swamp Fox Passage - Palmetto Trail
Love to hang my sculptures on hiking trails. I am just getting back to hiking more since we moved and recently read up on the Palmetto Trail, which traverses the entire state. The Swamp Fox (tail on his hat) Passaage is a 47 mile section originating in the Awendaw area. What a change from hiking the mountains of VT … flat and straight. Hung a piece off the bridge (look close, it is about half way across the bridge on the left).
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| Swamp Fox Passage |
9. Cape Romain Refuge
Have been kayaking and fishing in the Cape Romain Refuse area from Garris Landing. Can't say that I am depleting the fish population, but I am enjoying the paddling a lot. Will figure out the fish thing at some point. On one of the islands, in the bay there was a lone tree … the water licked at it base at high tide and 30 yards of pluff mud protected it at low tide. It was there that I decided to hang one of my pieces … maybe never to be found.
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10. Awendaw Passage - Palmetto Trail
What a morning. In a driving downpour of humidity, I decided that I just had to mulch the new flower gardens with pine straw. Definitely would not need to water after I spread the straw. I paced and stared and pouted for several hours afterwards until I convinced myself that the rain was going to stop and that I should go for a hike. headed for the Awendaw Passage section of the Palmetto trail. Chose the 8 mile loop between Buck Landing and Awendaw Canoe Landing. Not a bad hike.
The trail meanders along the marsh ducking back and forth between pine forest with palmetto undergrowth and live oak sections with huge oaks stretching their enormous limbs out over the edges of the marsh. Lots of boardwalks, bridges, benches and marsh vistas along the way. 
Found a live oak with a horizontal limb out over the marsh that I could manage and hung a piece there. Good spot. On the loop back, I didn't even notice where I had hung it. 
11. Quimby Creek
Given my recent lack of success fishing, I have taken to carrying a hanging sculpture along for the paddle to relieve the boredom of dismal failure. I decided to hang the piece on Quimby Creek, not as the result of boredom however. Instead, my decision was based on the fact that the paddle up the serpentine creek was repacking and beautiful. I happened upon an old riser, built to control the water flow into the old rice fields of nearby plantations.
I continue to use materials gathered on recent hikes combined with of the oddities that I borough twitch me from Vermont. I have been using the plastic cord used to bind the pine straw mulch bales (whatever happened to old-fashioned baling twine) here in SC to hang recent pieces as well as incorporating the material into other aspects of the piece - like the color and the texture. The deer vertebrae I found look a lot like flying birds or spacecraft and I resist using doll baby arms with my tattoo drawn on them as as late.This piece, like a couple others hung recently, is accessible only by water … primary by fishermen. I do wonder at the reaction. Is it "What is this crap?" or "Wow, what is this?" Do they LEAVE IT or HEAVE IT?
For many years now, I have done a rock stacking on my anniversary. This year, however, I could not find enough rocks to do a stacking … SC is flat as a pancake. Instead, I decided to do one of my Into the Woods hangings instead of a stacking. Spent the afternoon working on it. It has 45 items … one for each year of our marriage and one extra for luck. Mostly, I used seashells, but my old standbys (feather, watch, beads, bell, wire, bailing twine and naturally a doll arm are also there.
Anne and I hiked the new Sullivan's Island Nature Trail for our anniversary morning. Decided that trail would provide a great place to leave the tribute hanging. Tucked it away in a secluded place off the trail. Walking back to the car I found a money clip with a drivers license,several credit cards and a few dollars. Gave it to the police to get back to the owner. Must be my karma working on anniversary day!
Smokey and family came to Mt Pleasant for a visit. Last time they were here the kids and I did some beach combing to gather materials for art projects. When done, Quinn's project was hung in the garden and Barrett and mine, were hung at Palmetto State Park. Barrett and Quinn wanted to do more projects this time. Specifically, they wanted to get large first letters of their names and then cover them decoratively with shells they had found.
The beaches in this area are not noted for shelling … Folly Beach being our best bet. Off we went.
We split up and began our search.
We soon had a good supply of special shells. On the way home, we stopped at Demetre Park to get a bagful of tiny and crushed shells as well.Back at the house, the process began. Q and B washed, painted and glued shells onto the forms they had purchased. I began work on a hanging piece utilizing the orange croc Quinn had found on the beach and instructed me to make something from it.
Meanwhile, I used the orange croc as the centerpiece of a piece and added bone, shell, bead and feather to round it out.
The next day we headed back to Demetre Park for a picnic and a swim. And hung my newest hanging shell project near the picnic area.
Directed Georgie and Susan to the park to see this one and they indicated that they could not find it. I was fishing here a couple of weeks later with Lou and sure enough, someone had taken the piece down.
14. Williamsville VT - The Weir's
It was birthing time … nine months of crossed fingers and anticipation behind us. We set off for our first trip back to Vermont to dredge up ancient feelings buried just below the surface. I decided to mark the trip with my Into the Woods hangings … to connect our old life with our new one. The car was packed to capacity, every crack and cranny wedged with perceived necessities. Strapped securely atop the car, stuffed like a Polish sausage rested my kayak. Nevertheless, I kicked and prodded pushed and pulled, cursed and begged until, at long last, room was made for a box of six or seven of my hangings.
The first portion of our stay was to house sit for our friends George and Joan Weir in Williamsville while they were away in Maine. It was the perfect location to reconnect with our old hometown and seek peeks at the old house. It was also the perfect place to hang out on our beloved river … the Rock River.
Of course, that meant collecting rocks to bring home …
and even more important, stacking stones.
Unbeknownst to George and Joan, it was my plan to leave them a hanging. Just outside of their side door, was a somewhat secluded flower bed encircling a large lilac bush. With luck, they wouldn't discover my gift until the bush dropped its leaves in winter.
I chose one of my stranger hangings with the prominent feature being a large doll leg. I did this just so I could say I have 'Weir'ed. them. The piece also contained a piece from an old VT sap bucket that I thought would be appropriate for the site. |
| The Weir'ed Hanging |
Owner took down
15. South Newfane VT - The Swimming Hole on the Rock River
While at the Weir's, Anne and I went for a swim upstream from our old home at a neighbor's swimming hole. It is definitely a beautiful spot and one of a handful of spots that were not significantly damaged in the 2011 flooding. You can be well assured that the water there was significantly cooler than the water back in Charleston … the word we use is "refreshing", not bath water.
I realize that this next statement might be shocking to the reader. However …
While I was there, I decided to do a rock stacking.
I placed my hanging on a small tree just to the left of the pathway to the swimming hole. I chose this one due to the small globe on the bottom of the piece that I had filled with tiny seashells. I use seashells primarily to replace the stones I used in my old hangings. 
(Jan 7 2016 … Just heard from Jeff the landowner yesterday. Said he had found the hanging. Says he plans to move it with him if the Williamsville house ever sells.)
16. Bratteboro VT - The Jahn's
We headed from Williamsville to Brattleboro VT for the next aspect of our trip and stayed with our friends, Lena and Bill Jahn. Senility must have set in here for I forgot to carry hangings with me to place on the grounds of the Clark Museum and later atop Mount Greylock, the highest peak in Massachusetts. Duh!
Near the end of our stay here, we cooked out and enjoyed and evening campfire at the back of the Jahn's property. Nearby, was an apple tree that looked perfect for one of my hanging. The spot was out of the way enough that the hanging would not be found for quite a while.
17. Brookline VT - The Parker's
We finished up our VT stay in Brookline with David and Lee Ann Parker. Their house sits atop a hill overlooking a small lilly-filled pond. They have exceptional flowers gardens scattered throughout the property. Guess I got too anxious in choosing my spot to leave a hanging. Did not factor in how much we all would be browsing the gardens to admire the flowers. Lee Ann discovered my hanging on the second day.
We stopped along the Hudson River to visit on of the many mansions located there dating back to the 1700-1800's. Ah, for live of the fabulously rich. Montgomery Place was yet another abode of the Livingston clan and is best known for it grounds and gardens. Fabulous as usual.
This view is looking from the pond near the Hudson River back towards the back of the mansion.My piece is hung in the small tree just to the left of the mowed lawn.
If the grounds staff spot this one first, it is sure to be tossed … what the the doll legs and all. Perhaps some innocent bystander will find it instead … or perhaps, my piece will make a run for it.
Couldn't resist stopping at the Cyrus McCormick Farm to harass Louis about taking a day trip there. While I was at it, I hung my last piece that I had carried with me for the trip to Vermont. The piece lies just to the right of the mill in a weeping willowThis piece utilized a bone vertebrae and a cypress knee to make a cross-like figure adored with wire swirls, beads and shells.
Anne and I went on an adventure day to the Monck's Corner area to check out the Mepkin Abbey and Trappist Monastery on what used to be part of Mepkin Plantation owned at different times by the Laurens of SC and later by the Johnson & Johnson family and the Proctor and Gambol family respectively.
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| Strawberry Chapel |
Afterwards, we ventured further down Dr. Evans Road and found the site of the former Childsbury Township and the historic Strawberry Chapel. The chapel property was posted so Anne immediately went over the fence to look around. Bad behavior is always rewarded. In this case, she discovered chanterelles growing on the chapel lawn. We got a bag full.
The town was built near Strawberry Bluff overlooking the Cooper River. A dock was built and a ferry business was created since this spot was the furthers point that ships could sail up the river from the coast.
I had brought a hanging with me thinking that I would hang it at the Abbey gardens. Instead, I hung it on a limb overhanging the dock. I used a piece of an antique sap bucket as the focal point for the piece and cut a hole through it, replacing the cutout back as an ajar doorway. The back side featured a doll leg with with a knee braclet and the reverse side was decorated with my tattoo symbols.
Revisited this site in Jan2016. Some trimming had been done on the overhanging limb at the dock and the hanging was missing. Not sure if relocated or tossed.
May 2016 Found.
This family from Moncks Corner showed up at my art show at the Striped Pig Distillery with the piece in hand. I was blown away and ecstatic. They had found the piece on the ground. A younger daughter did not want to bring it home because she said it was voodoo. Home it went. When they saw my name in the pepper about the art show they said they had to come and meet me. What a wonderful visit we had. Love this.
21. SE Center for Contemporary Art - Winston-Salem NC
The SE Center for Contemporary Art is located in the family home of the Hanes Hosiery family. It is both a historic house museum as well as a contemporary art museum. Behind the museum is a pond with a partially hidden path onto the pond dam. The dam is overhung with bamboo from a patch directly behind the dam. I hung my piece there.
22. Great Swamp Sanctuary Nature Trail - Walterboro SC
Did a day trip to Walterboro for the SC Artisan Center, Tuskegee Airmen Memorial and the burial site of Revolutionary martyr, Isaac Haynes. Also, did a short hike on the boardwalk through a section of the Great Swamp Sanctuary. Had brought along a piece to hang and the sanctuary seemed the best spot. On this hanging, I experimented with a segment of an antique sap bucket with three variable sized holes cut out and the cutout section reinserted and repositioned. Like the way it came out and may try this approach again.
Today's trip took us to the canal park near Monck's Corner SC, the site of the first canal in America (I always thought it would have been Erie). Lots to do in the park including a great interpretive center, a museum, displays of the Little David - the first submarine used in combat in the Civil War bay the South, picnic areas, and a nature trail. My favorite was the nature trail along the creek and the swamp areas. it was mostly boardwalk with great viewing areas. Must admit my hopes were set too high when I read that the name of the trail we were on was the Alligator Loop. We did see two small ones through. Found a suitable tree close enough to the boardwalk that I could risk getting eaten by gators or bitten by cottonmouths and hung my sculpture there.
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| Piece is pretty well camouflaged … no, that is not lizard man beside it. |
24. Charleston Tea Plantation - Wadmalaw Island, SC
Debbie came to visit and with her brought 24 inches of rain in four days and a flood. Everything around us flooded but it missed us. However, all of our plans to entertain Debbie were history. We immediately hunkered down to work up a good case of cabin fever. I ventured into the garage and put together eight hanging sculptures just in case we ever saw the sun again. Lo and behold it did and we took off to explore The Charleston Tea Plantation (the only one in North America) on Wadmalaw Island and the Angel Oak (300-400 years old) on John's Island. I found a good spot for a piece to hang overlooking the fields of tea bushes.
25. Ramp 30 - Outer Banks, Avon (Kennekeet), NC
Took ever so tiny a break from our 8 hour fishing marathon to investigate a large log left on the dunes from a past storm. It seemed like a likely place to leave one of my hanging since it was such a beautiful day and I had found so many items on the beaches the last few days to use on future hangings. This hanging was unique in that I used a CD case with a wire coil inside and pink shading as a new scavenged feature.
Fishing was terrible today and we stopped at noon. While the others cleaned their tackle and packed to go home tomorrow, I drove down to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Hung a piece there. I had found an old wooden ball on the beach (Folly Beach) and used it as the focal point of the hanging piece. Looking around the garage, I also found a paint spattered rubber glove that made perfect dreadlocks for the wooden ball head. naturally I added a few shells and beads to further adorn the piece.
May 2016 - Hanging has been removed
27. Charles Pinckney Historic Site - Mt Pleasant SC
Decided to hike the trails at the Charles Pinckney Historic Site today … alternate spots were flooded from last night's rain. I particularly liked the section of the trails through swampy areas near the marsh. Hung a piece on a huge live oak there. Piece I chose was one of a recent group made from collections from Folly and Sullivan's beaches. Focal piece was a lost sandal I had found. I combined it with wire coils, some rusted iron brackets and some smaller shells. Figure I lost about a quart of blood while hanging the piece … those SC mosquitoes are damned hungry after a rain.
Hiked the Tobacco Heritage Trail along the Dan River in South Boston, VA. At the furtherest end of the trail there is a side trail that leads to Berry Hill Plantation. Along the trail, is the Diamond Hill Cemetery. It was the cemetery for the enslaved peoples from the plantation. I was surprised to find the site to be so overgrown and with fallen trees over the paths. Disappointed in the city for allowing this to happen.
Apr 4, 2016 - Hanging missing from cemetery
29. Folly Beach - Lacy's River House
Headed to Folly Beach to fish and crab off of James and Lynn's dock and to hang the piece I had done using the goggles I found on on one of my beach walks. That the googles and shell motif would go well on the dock. I also used this piece since Lynn told me if it had arms or legs on it, she would take it down. Lynn and James will be down in a couple of days … we shall see if the piece stays or goes!
Okay. Maybe I spent more time fishing and crabbing than actually hanging the piece.
May 2016 - Reports are that this one is disintegrating due to the salt water environment. May not last much longer. I will replace it with a new one
30. Peachtree Rock Heritage Reserve - Lexington , SC
Stopped by to hike the Peachtree Rock trails on our way back from Simpsonville. Peachtime Rock is a sandstone formation left over from the glacial period. It was an upside down triangle precariously balanced on a slender base. Had meant to go here for a long while and in the meantime the Rock was vandalized and pushed over. Still an interesting place to visit.
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| Peachtree Rock |
Further along the trail is a small waterfall that is supposed to be the highest in the Midlands area ( about 20'). 
Chose to hand on of my pieces from an overhanging brlanch above the falls.
31. Swamp Fox Passage - Mile 39
Hiking in SC is nothing like hiking in VT. In VT, hiking is flamboyant … beautiful visas in all seasons. In SC, it is more like being in a M.C. Escher painting. The hiking is quiet … you kinda have to look closely to find the hidden treasures of the hike.
Got in 8 miles today … second growth planted pine and sections of swamp. Decided to hang a piece.
Funny, when I hung the piece, I thought it would stand out like a sore thumb. Surprisingly though, we you moved away the least bit, it seems to disappear into the landscape.
Liked this piece. I like an piece of metal that I was able to bend into shape with plenty of brute force. Form that point on, it was shells and bone and beads and of course and arm and a feather. All those arms I used seem to have my tattoo on them for some reason.
32. Middleton Place Plantation - West Ashley SC
Anne and I took the afternoon to tour the Middleton Plantation. Of all the plantations in the area, it is probably the one with the most formal gardens. Even though it is between times on blooming, it is still an incredible place to wander and enjoy. I chose an area along the reflecting pool near the grist mill to hang my piece. By the way … although it was January 31, there was an alligator swimming in the lake.
Visited Middleton in March 2016 and the piece was still in place along the mill pond.
33. South Tibwin Trail - Francis Marion National Forest - McCellonville SC
Checked out the trails along the Tibwin Creek to the salt marshes in the Francis Marion National Forest. This is a small area with just a handful of easy trails along well defined forest roads.
Some nice pooling along the creek as it nears the marsh and numerous live oaks to break the monotony of the pine forests. Debated whether to hang a piece here or not, but found a dollar bill on the pathway.Sounds like a sign to me!
Visited the remains of Fort Fremont gun emplacements built to protect the Port Royal Island and Beaufort SC.
Kinda spooky place.
That means my hanging was a natural.
35. Hunting Island State Park - Hunting Island SC
We went to Hunting Island State Park to check out the beach area. Had heard that the northern section of the beach was littered to driftwood and fallen trees.
We discovered that someone else (other than me) was making things out of palm bark. While there, however, I collected about 9 pieces of palm bark to do my invented nature creatures paintings on instead of gathering driftwood.
Nevertheless, I found a great spot in the middle of the shore detritus to hang my piece.
I keep finding huge wildlife reserves in the SC low country. Most of these are open for hiking, mountain biking and birding. I have been trying to do lots of hiking in these areas … they are beautiful and are full of magnificent birds to see.
Found a small island near the restored rice field trunks to hang my piece.
Anne and I went for a hike at Dungannon in Hollywood SC. Dungannon is on of several preserves in the area and is best know for its nesting rookery for endangered wood storks.
It is not known for its crooked pine tree …
It is not known for its knot hole with moss …… but one day, it could be known for the hanging sculpture I left there today.
Anne and I drove to St Augustine FL for a couple of days of adventure. The last morning there was scheduled to check out the the lighthouse near St Augustine Beach. There were several short trails there we could hike. I was pretty sure a short hike would be more than enough for the two of us after having climbed to the top of the lighthouse to partake of the view. I was right!
I found a place to hang the sculpture. This piece is a result of several recent finds. I found a pink noodle while hiking a trail in the Francis Marion Forest. From box of goodies in the garage, I found shells, beads, slivers of an antique Vermont sap bucket, yellow rope from the beach at Sullivans Beach and a pressure gauge a bought for a quarter at Restore. Just a couple of days ago, I dismantled my old BBQ grill (unusable since I attempted a repair). As a result of that effort, I had an old rusted grease trap from the grill I destroyed. It only took about an hour of head-scratching to come up with this piece.
When I fish for red drum, I am usually paddling back in the marsh on small streams connected to the river. Most often this means the Wando River and the Paradise Island Landing. Found a spot the other day with a nice two-story house along the marsh and live oak limbs projecting out above the stream. Have to go there during ugh tide because the water gets so low that I can't even get the kayak in.
On this hanging, I made the centerpiece from the case from a 22 caliber bullet box and overpowered the image with lots of natures pieces. Of all days, I forgot to take my pone with me fishing and was not able to get a picture of the piece hanging in place.
40. Bear Island Wildlife Management Area - Green Pond SC
Bear Island is a 21,000 acre wildlife area in Green Pond SC. Only nada chance to see a small portion today (Hog Island, the pecan grove, and the canal area. Saw a herd of feral pigs, a gator, a hawk and lots of waterfowl. Definitely will be back.
This hanging revolved around odds and ends already in the garage. I used the handle off of a broken fishing reel combined with a spare doll's arm ( a must ) and a shoe from the GI doll ( some kin to Chuckie I am sure) I was given for xmas. To that I added plenty of shells and wooden sections of an old antique sap bucket from VT.
I chose the furthest pecan tree in the grove as the place to hang the piece
41. Berry Hill Plantation - Halifax County VA
Had Joanna and Anne drop me off a Berry Hill Mansion. A short hike across the surrounding fields was the Tobacco Heritage Trail along the Dan River. I have been here numerous times since childhood. It is always beautiful and historic. Just the right place for a hanging.
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| Little hound and fox treatment on the shrubbery |
After hanging the piece on the front lawn of the mansion, it was off to enjoy my hike and to do a rock stacking.
One of the trees that was imported into the Key West area was the banyon from India. It is a magnificent tree due in part to how the roots extend downward from the branches to the ground. We found a particularly late banyon at the entrance to the Fort Zachary Taylor entrance and decided to hang the piece there.
43. Curry Hammock State Park - Marathon Key, FL
I had no problem deciding where to hang the second piece that I brought with me on the trip to the keys. I received a message in response to my post on FB from my former boss, Jeri Curry, that she and Bonnie would also be in Key West at the same time we were to be there.We were able to arrange a meet-up in Key West. Wonderful! The day following our meet-up, Anne and I visited Curry Hammock State Park where I did some fishing and kayaking in the mango creeks. Curry. Curry. It seemed a natural to hang the last piece from one of the mango bushes along the creek.
This piece was pretty well camouflaged. Should be a good while before it is found ( but the high tide might get it).
Got an art show coming up at the Striped Pig Distillery on May 25. I plan to have several of my hangings there to show in addition to the masks I have been doing recently that are they main feature of the show. If I sell any of the hangings, I will post them as additional ones that have been placed. Below is an example of some of the masks in the show.
44. Buxton Woods Trail - Hatteras - Outer Banks NC
Pouring rain and high winds … not to mention nothing biting drove us off the beach. Bob and Lou decided to meet a friend of Bob's for lunch and I opted to take a hike instead. Went to Buxton Woos Trail near the Hatteras Lighthouse. Th trail was short but had some interesting tidbits. Seems the trails mostly noted for its cottonmouth moccasins. I hung one of the pieces I made after returning from Key West.
45. Anderson, SC - Gift to Lori
46. Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest - Harleyville, SC
Temperatures dipped from the mid 90's yesterday to low 80's today. That meant taking a hike when the getting is good. We had been planning a trip to the Beidler Forest and Four Hole Swamp for more than a year now … so today was the day.
Along the boardwalk into the swamp is a 1000 year old bald cypress tree,
I ended up hanging my piece in the parking area. Normally, I would jump over the boardwalk railing and crawl over a few logs to hang the piece along the trail. This piece is made primarily from finds while we were visiting Key West.
You are wondering why the parking lot? This guy and this four buddies helped me decide.
47. Mayrant Lake at Bonneau Ferry Wildlife Management Area
Hiking trails in the Bonneau area that led to lakes or ponds.
Found a favorite spot to hang a piece … in a hollow tree stump.
As a bonus … I found a bagful of chanterelles on the way back to the car.
Anne and I traveled to Nashville TN, to celebrate our 45 anniversary. We found a great quirky, unique B&B decorated with a artsy Victorian decor.
Every nook and cranny in the place was filled with art, antiques, and wacky finds.I felt right at home immediately.
Left a hidden gift, in the gardens out back. Hope our host will find it a welcomed addition to her collections.
49. Cheekwood Museum and Botanical Gardens - Nashville TN
Cheekwood is the estate of the founders of the Maxwell House Coffee empire. The former mansion is now an art museum and the grounds contains gorgeous gardens and sculpture trails.
I hung one of my pieces along the outskirts of the sculpture trail.
For the last several days the temperatures have hovered around 95 during the day with high high humidity. Needless to say, things have come to somewhat of a standstill. An it is driving me nuts. The temperature plunged to 91 today and a took off for a paddle on the Cooper River. A couple of weeks ago, I discovered a new put-in at the Huger Recreational Area. On the way, I was distracted …
alongside the road, smoke was pouring out of a giant grill. It was a local guy selling home cooked barbecue ribs with rice and beans and collards.
I swerved the car and was on it like a rat on cheese. Not the best ever … but good!
This was my first paddle on this section of the Cooper River. Really thought it would be a day for garfish, gators and snakes … instead it was a day for well-hiddens, giant wasp nest in the hanging branches. Paddled down river until I reached an old abandoned and dilapidated dock. The signage was for Kensington Plantation. I later looked up the currents owners to be the Stoney family. The planation is currently trying to reintroduce Carolina Gold Rice production tone area.
This was definitely the place for a hanging.
51. Huger Recreational Area - Huger, SC
Decided yesterday to include a few of my masks in the hangings for my Into the Woods series. My garage is overrun with them. I have put aside several that I don't particularly want in a show, but would be fun to discover in the woods. I chose a hollow in a large life oak at the edge of the recreation area. The hollow is turned away from normal view … one has to be "exploring" to find it.
52. Guilliard Lake - Jamestown SC
Todays adventure took me to Guilliard Lake in the Francis Marion National Forest. It is a small lake with carp, catfish and gar fish. It it definitely in the boondocks with little visitation other than occasional fisherman and beer drinkers. Noticed some new signage in the parking area. The lake has lots of small gators but nothing over 3 feet that I have seen … yet!
I came to try out jugging for gar. Rigged up about 4 jugs with line and hooks last night and headed out early this AM.
I dropped the baited jugs along the length of the lake and sat back to wait.
It didn't take long to get results … a small catfish. Missed a good sized gar and several small cats. But, it was a fun day.
The lake here is surrounded by lots of really large cypress trees … beautiful setting. Hung one of my hangings that I made several months ago from materials gathered at Key West. This one will definitely be found but only by someone in a small boat or kayak.
54. Black Mountain Trail - Dummerston VT
I have enjoyed hiking the two trails up Black Mountain for years. While visiting back in Vermont recently with friends, we arranged to hike the trail on the Dummerston side of the river. beautiful view from the top to Monadnock and to Wantassticutt.
Given the lack of good stacking stones in SC, I also took advantage of the opportunity to do a little stacking.
A chose a tree on The Wantasticutt side of the summit to hang my piece.
55. Crystal Cascades Falls - Weathersfield VT
Took a hike with Bill at Ascutney Mountain. To my chagrin, I found the ascent to be too much for my old legs and I only went as high as the falls.
Crystal Cascade Falls tumble over a boulder ledge into a small pool 84 feet below. Definitely a beautiful spot.
While waiting for Bill to return from the summit, I descended to the base of the falls and was well rewarded for my efforts. I even did a rock stacking while I was there.
Decided to hang my sculpture at the top on a limb hanging out over the ledge.
56. Crystal Cascades Falls - Weathersfield VT (Mask)
I also decided to leave a mask at this site and chose a ledge about a third of the way back up the falls from the base.
57. Field's Sculpture Park OMI - Ghent NY
For my 67th birthday, I planned a visit down along the Hudson River to a couple of sculpture parks. Our first stop was at Field's Sculpture Park OMI near Ghent. The park includes tons of sculptures spread over about 70 acres … and it was blazing hot! This place reminds me a lot of Storm King. Great spot.
Several of these large figures set in a beautiful meadow.
Can never get enough rust .
This piece is called ReAct and was recently reviewed in the New York Times. The artists lived in it while it was being constructed in order to interact with viewers and answer questions. The piece reacts to the influence of … spinning in a circle with the wind, bouncing up and down as on a wave and tilting as the weight of its occupants shifts from one end of the structure to another as they walk around inside.
ReAct was the star of the show for sure. Perhaps the piece that I hung nearby will be just one one element to which it must ReAct.
58. Taconic Sculpture Gallery - Spencertown MA
Made a slight miscalculation as to the second sculpture park to visit … it was closed. Instead, we took off to Spencertown MA to visit a site we had seen years ago while driving along the Taconic Turnpike.
High on a hillside along the thoroughfare, we spotted several huge sculptures of heads in an open meadow. Turned out to be the Taconic Sculpture Gallery, home to a former VT artist. There were at least 100 sculptures scattered about the property. We were in luck. The artist was home and came out to talk with us about his work.
I decided to leave a nearby. I picked a spot slightly into the adjacent woods rather than directly in the artists yard. As I reached to pull down a limb to attach my piece to, I happened to notice something on another limb about two feet above.
If you look closely just to the right and above my piece you will see it … a huge hornets' nest. And yes, the hornet's were home. Close call for me … could have grabbed the wrong limb.
Back again to one of my favorite hikes, the I'on Swamp Loop. This time I brought one of my masks. I hung the piece deep in the swamp off of the return section of the loop.This one won't be found for a long time.
60. Lacy's Dock - Folly Beach (River House)
Replaced prior piece that rusted apart in the salt air environment.
61. Forest Trail - Edisto Beach State Park
After almost two years in the area, we finally got around to checking out Edisto Island. Beautifuf fall day for hiking and the beach. We decided on a short hike (much influenced by the millions of mosquitoes swarming around us) on Forest trail. Couldn't pass up this overturned live oak with a hollow to leave a piece.
After the hike, we walked and read on the beach and took a brief swim. Water was perfect.
62. Forest Trail2 - Edisto Beach State Park (book)
During this adventure I decided to add an additional item to my Into the Wood items to leave. My poetry book collection is growing too large for the bookshelf. Those books that are my favs … my must keeps … will be set aside to use. I place these books in a protective bag and specifically leave them in the hollows of trees. Question: Will the finder take them home to read? Hope so. My first book left is and anthology of women poets.
63. Camden Oak - Old Presbyterian Burying Ground - Camden SC
The piece we left was a recycled piece from Folly Beach. The weathering of pieces left to the salt weather environment is amazing … they almost rust away before your eyes. I replaced the Folly hanging with a new one and brought it home to mend and replace some parts of it. Perhaps it will find the Midlands of Camden more to its liking.
64. Chinqua Penn Trail - Reidsville, NC
Chinqua Penn is a mansion in Reidsville … built with the finest of everything … money no object. Today, boarded and locked with threatening signs warnings against Pokeman searches. I was heading back to Mount Pleasant after fleeing Hurricane Matthew and decided to take a quick hike before the long drive.
65. Chiqua Penn Trail2 - Reidsville, NC (book)
Another hollow tree.
66. Price's Bridge Landing - Horseshoe Creek - Jacksonboro, SC
Today, the jurying process for the SC Artisan Center was completed and my work was accepted for the center. I took a side road on the way home and discovered the landing on Horseshoe Creek.
Decided on some fishing and a paddle. Caught no fish but the paddle was beautiful.
This seemed and excellent place to hang a piece.
67. Middleton Place - Charleston, SC (book)
Anne and I spent the afternoon at Middleton Place, an old plantation outside of Charleston towards Summerville. It is a wonderful place to go to aimlessly ramble through the wonderful formal gardens and the immense live oaks for which the plantation is known.
One of the live oaks at the far end of the pond has a enormous hollow at its base. The hollow is about two feet wide and four feet deep. I have watched visitors … they cannot resist looking into the hollow to see what is there. The perfect place to leave a surprise. Given the personality of the plantation environment, I thought Virginia Woolfe would be the perfect choice.
When a visitor peeks into the hollow the book will be clearly visible, but it's four feet down to the bottom. It will take a motivated visitor to retrieve the gift book for a read … but worth the effort. Isn't that is what surprises and adventures are all about … the effort and the reward.
It has been quite a while since I left the book here. Dec 2016 now and we looked for it during our visit. It is still there.
Replaced the hanging that was removed .
This time, I place the hanging further back into the scrub brush surrounding the lighthouse. If this one is taken, it ail probably be a deer.
69. Buxton Woods Trail II (book) - Hatteras - Outer Banks NC
Left a book of poetry in a hollow tree along the trail.
70. Buxton Woods Trail (mask) - Hatteras - Outer Banks NC
Chose one of my longer masks ( a comic, big-lipped giraffe) to leave along this trail. Found a tree with a great elongated hollow.
71. Cape Fear Botanical Gardens - Fayetteville, NC
Stopped in at the botanical gardens to see the Patrick Dougherty sculpture. They also had a outdoor sculpture exhibit done in LEGOS. I chose ascot near the LEGO buffaloes overlooking the flood damage along the river at the back of the gardens.
72. Cape Fear Botanical Gardens (book) - Fayetteville, NC
While brazing the gardens, I ran up on this structure. Clearly it deserved a book … it being a tgwo seater and all. So I left a book of poetry.
73. Cape Fear Botanical Gardens (book) - Fayetteville, NC
Like I said, I came here primarily to see the Patrick Dougherty installation. I have seen his work in several places including an installation in Brattleboro VT. Love his work. It is really a community event. Decided to leave a book buried in the installation.
74. Lake Moultrie - Public Landing - Cross, SC
Fishing around the backwater creek near Cross, SC on Lake Moultrie. Can't resist these opportunities to hang a piece in one of the moss covered cypress trees.
75. Lake Moultrie - Hatchery Landing - Pinopolis, SC
Fishing ( well looking for wasps nest actually ) on Lake Moultrie. Water was lower than I had ever seen it. Looked out across the lake and spotted an overturned boat. Had to explore it. What a great place to leave a hanging.
76. I'On Swamp Trail (book) - Awendaw , SC
Took a hike on one of my favorite short hike trails, the I'On Swamp Trail. Beautiful fall day, but nobody told the mosquitoes that it was fall. Deet Deet Deet! Water was very low and I saw an interesting hollow in a stump in a section of the swamp that usually was surrounded by water and inaccessible. Decided this would be a tantalizing place to leave a book.
In hanging the book inside the hollow, I made sure to leave a small edge of the plastic bag the book was in exposed … to create curiosity. Wonder who, if anyone, will not be able to resist the need to know what is in that hollow and what they will have to go to get to the hollow to see?
77. Battery Warren - Pitch's Landing SC
Hiking a trail to an old Civil War site on the Santee River today.
Left a hanging along the river … definitely in a flood plain. Trick is hanging it high enough to stay out of the water next time the river jumps its banks.
78. Battery Warren (book) - Pitch's Landing SC
Riverside there wee hollow trees everywhere I looked. Found one that seemed just the place for This Side of Paradise.
79. Bulls' Island - Awendaw SC
Mitch and Christina were in town for a couple of nights and invited us to take th Garris Landing Ferry with them for a half day on Bull's Island. We had had this trip on our to do list for quite a while.Chilly, but overall a beautiful. Wish now we had stayed for the full day. Great shelling on the beach. Left a hanging on Beach Trail which led us to the beach area.
A Federal Fish and Game stopped in to ask me about the hanging on Bulls Island. Said it had caused quite a stir in the office. Seems some thought it to be demonic and some wondered if it had some hidden Native American message (like Standing Rock). Also warned that it could be considered abandoned property on Federal land after 72 hours. Think this was the threat of a fine! Anyway he seemed satisfied that I was neither demon nor Native American, but would not go so far as to recognize that I might be an artist. I AM VERY SURE THIS ONE HAS BEEN TAKEN DOWN!!! 12/8/16
80. Bull's Island (book) - Awendaw SC
Given that we took the ferry to Bull's Island, I thought it would be appropriate to leave Virginia Woolfe's "Waves" in the hollow tree I discovered on Middens Trail.
81. Caw Caw Nature Reserve - Ravenel, SC
Caw Caw is on of the Charleston Co Parks and is a wonderful pale to take a leisurely hike. I went there today and hiked segments of the Habitat Trail, the Waterfowl Trail and the Masrhlands Trail. Surprisingly, there were no waterfowl to be seen on the Waterfowl Trail but I did see a couple of characters thatI did not expect.
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| Alligator |
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| Wood Stork
I found a good spot on the Waterfowl Trail to leave a hanging overlooking part of the marsh.
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Jan 2017 - Book is gone.
83. Lake Moultrie Passage (book) - Russellville
Hiking another piece of Section 1 of the Lake Moultrie Passage and left a book near post #700. Passing along an art book that Peyton gave me … Many Artists Many Projects by J. Doe.
84. Mud Lake - Eadie Cemetery (book) - Lake Moultrie Passage
Found an old Civil War Cemetery alongside the dike on the Lake Moultrie Passage.
I left Faulkner's Absalom, Absalom just outside the cemetery.
85. Charles Pinckney National Site (book) - Mt Pleasant SC
Amid all of the hustle and bustle of Xmas, Anne and I decided to seek solitude in a short hike at the Pinckney site. No sooner had we arrived than I four a great hollow in one of the live oaks to leave a book. I chose On the Decay of the Art of Lying by Mark Twain.
86. Cross Generating Station (book) - Cross SC
Hiking from the trailhead at the Cross Generating Station and passed what seemed the dark side of the moon. Felt like it deserved a book.
87. Springwood Road (book) - Cross, SC
Hiking Moultrie Passage near Springwood Road. Another book for the trail.
88. Congaree National Park-Boardwalk Trail(book) - Hopkins, SC
Meandering our way to Simpsonville with a stop at the Congaree National Park for a short hike. Have been meaning to go there ever since we moved to SC. This is an interesting part of the state … cotton country. Always think of cotton harvesting in terms of the slave days but never thought of how it is done today. Quite surprised to find it was baled in the huge round bales like they do hay.
The park at Congaree is great … wonderful visitors center and lots of trails. Noted for it wilderness area and the giant cypress and loblolly pine there. There were a lot of downed trees along the boardwalk trail, probably from the flooding several years ago or Hurricane Matthew. Found and interesting hollow in one of the large trees that were cut up after falling across the boardwalk. Will definitely return here for more hiking.
Returned to the Caw Caw center to hike another trail. Left a book (Lunch at the Piccadily) along the Bottomland Hardwood Forest Trail.
90. Lake Moultrie Passage - Post 1100 near Trestle (book) -Pineville SC
Another hike in Section 2 of the Lake Moultrie Passage. Left a poetry book on Brookgreen Gardens.
91. Dyke Trail - Near Sandy Spur Rd - Pineville, SC
Hiking the Dyke section of the Lake Moultrie Passage again today. Can't say the dyke trail is overly exciting. However, today, I saw my first bobcat ever. And later on, I found a skull (perhaps an opossum.
So, I left a hanging.
92. Gailliard Lake (book) - Jamestown SC
Fishing at Gailliard Lake . Left a book in one of the hollow trees.
93. Dorothy B. Kearns Park - Mt Pleasant, SC
Anne and I discovered a new park yesterday by accident. Checked it out. It is small and heavily damaged by Hurricane Matthew, but it is filled with beautiful live oaks and overlooks the marshes adjoining the Wando River Terminals and the 526 bridge. Can't wait to check out the sunset views from one of the benches overlooking the marsh.
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| Remains of icehouse from Longpoint Plantation |
94. Dorothy B Kearns Park (book) - Mt Pleasant, SC
While hiking the park, I found a nice hollow in one of the live oaks. Deposited a poetry book there.
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