August 15, 2012 Poinsett State Park

Poinsett lies between Columbia and Sumter, SC, approached from hwy 378, then 261 through the small town of Wedgefield, about 40 minutes from Columbia and 20 from Sumter.  This park is in the Wateree Swamp (Manchester Forrest) of the Cowasee Basin, before the Wateree and Congaree rivers flow into the Santee.  Spanish moss drips from the pines and oaks and heat loving water lilies float in the water beyond the visitor center.

No one is here.  At first glance it looks like a good place to hide out if you are running from the law.  There are trails of 1.5 miles and one called the Coquina trail (Coquina is the  geological mix of shells from what was once the floor here of an ancient ocean. The lower level of the cabins here is made of coquina.)

Deeply rutted dirt roads lead to the five rustic cabins (built by the CCC in the 40's) and picnic shelters.  There are vehicles at two cabins but  no signs of life.

Poinsett is named for the South Carolina statesman, physican and amateur botanist, Joel Poinsett, who is known for bringing the Euphorbia pulchirrina plant back from Mexico in 1825 and propagating it in his greenhouse. Of course this is the poinsettia, so named for him.

Boofa and I left the park and walked at the Columbia Canal in the hot noonday sun where there were sailboats made by local artists out of dried palmetto palms and bamboo.  (Only mad dogs and Englishmen walk in the noonday sun.)

I phoned the park after 4:00 pm and spoke to the ranger who told me that during the week, there are few people who visit, partially due to the heat, but on the weekends they are "packed".  He lives on the park, with his family and children and it is quite safe.  During the fall and the cooler months they have many visitors.   Three of the cabins were renovated 10 and 15 years ago. Two cabins are on schedule for renovation soon.  They are awaiting  the legislature to make a decision on repairing the roads.

The ranger tells me that Joel Poinsett is burried down 261 at the Church of the Holy Cross.

I will return in the fall.