A Happy Hutchinson Hallowe'en

Having carved pumkins, changed diapers (Trevor, not me), and dressed to kill, the Hutchinsons of the Clan MacDonald, gathered in coven fashion to prepare for the hallowed evening of All Saints' Day. Witches, good and bad, a VG Hospital patient, a Wal-Mart Greeter, a Phyliss Diller look-alike, and Count Dracula (Phyliss' husband, Fang) all made an appearance. Kelly carved an excellent pumpkin which she forgot to take home, and Tyler and Cayden ate their share of goodies, followed by a wild romp in the backyard. Trevor impersonated a guy on the backside of thirty, while Granddad looked more like Grammie than she did. How's that for looking more like your spouce the longer you live with one another.

Riverbanks Zoo and Botannical Gardens

Augusta, Georgia of "Masters" Golf Fame

Zoology & Botany 101

Close to downtown Columbia is the Riverbank Zoo and Gardens. We spent a delightful afternoon looking at the exotic plants that thrive in the Southeast heat. We believe many originate from the Caribean islands. We recognize many familiar varieties that only survive as house plants in our Nova Scotia temperate climate.

The animals at the zoo are housed in as much a natural setting as is possible. They have gone to great lenghts to re-create pastures and rock formations that would exist in the Serengeti.

The zoo also has the most extensive aquariums we have ever viewed. The varities and colors of exotic fish from around the globe are in abundance.

The interesting part of traveling is meeting the people that live and work in the area. While waiting for the shuttle to take us back to our car, we learn a lot of local history and interesting facts about the area from our driver. Most people in Columbia seem very easy to talk to. When I mentioned this to a sales clerk in a department store, she acknowledged that you're not in New York. I agree.

Can't See the Forest for the Trees

South Carolina is blessed with an abundance of trees. Maybe its the soil or the longer growing season. If Halifax is known as the city of trees, I don't know what we should call Columbia. Every suburban street is lined with 60' to 70' Cypress and Oak trees. More upscale homes and commercial buildings are being landscaped with the familiar Palmetto (palm) Tree which happens to be the state tree. Every home is framed with endless shrubs and ground covers.

Saturday takes us to the Congaree Swamp National Forest. It boasts the largest surviving trees in the Eastern part of the USA. The air is humid as we snake our way on a 2.5 mile boardwalk that provides glimpses of an area untouched by man.

The Congaree is a typical park containing trails, lakes, rivers and a knowlegable staff in the Interpretation Center. They also provide (free of charge) guided canoe tours, bird watching tours and tree identification tours. We will definitely come back and take advantage of these services when we return to the area.

On the return trip, we decide to take a different route using the backroads so we can see more of the countryside. Yes, we got lost!! But our trusty Lady of Perpetual Help helps us find our way. I would estimate that at least 50% of the people in this area live in mobile homes.

Life's a Beach

Charleston is the grand dame of the South. It was not burned during the Civil War, and so has retained many historic buildings. It is real estate heaven in terms of beautiful homes, but prices are not celestial. This picture was taken on the public beach at Sullivan's Island, very close to the Isle of Palms, where my friend Francesca's mom has lived for almost 30 years. We enjoyed a visit to her where she charmed us with her Italian hospitality - there was no way we were leaving that house without eating some home made biscotti and drinking red wine. At 86 she is a remarkable women, volunteering for Habitat for Humanity and doing good works in her community. Lorne forgot his hat there, so maybe we have to return.



My studies are going very well. I was born to be a student. Academia is a very comfortable world for me, as I enjoy reading and analyzing the thoughts and findings of others so that a body of knowledge emerges. My dissertation topic is emerging, and I haven't changed my mind about this in a week. Lorne is receiving mini-lectures on feminism as my independent study is Woman and Leadership. It's like the 1970 all over again - who can believe that was 38 years ago?



After my earlier blog pics, I bought a new bathing suit! One that covers the jiggly bits.



Email us at lorne02@hotmail.com or carolanneliz@hotmail.com.

South Carolina in June

Our trip to South Carolina was easy driving - no winter storms or windshield washers - until we were within 160 km of our destination. As fate would have it, a large piece of metal on the highway gouged our gas tank, broke some lines, and damaged struts. The car behind us also suffered a similar fate. Imagine our concern! But, a 911 call, a firetruck from Fork Hills, a tow truck, and State Trooper Hope all assisted us in getting off the road. With the price of gasoline these days it's worrisome to see it drain away. We landed in Rock Hill at a large Honda dealership, which could not help us at the time. My insurance company, Meloche Monnex, were excellent in arranging for a local adjustor to come and see the car. By 4 pm it was obvious I would miss my 5 pm class in Columbia. When there are only 4 classes and you have driven for three days, it's a bitter pill to swallow to miss the first one. However, Rock Hill Honda is wireless and I was able to send an email to my professor, who was very gracious.

Lorne and I have settled into our residence, the students here having an average age of 21. Many of the kids are Chinese, as it is too far for them to go home for the summer. The apartment puts a whole new definition on the term "crunge". If any residence needed a makeover, it's this one. It does not fit well with the rest of the campus, which is immaculately clean and manicured. Beautiful buidings abound - the sports stadium, the theatre, the fitness and wellness centre, and a plethora of other structures on the many campuses.

My classes are doing well, and I am managing to be a student again after so many years. I completed my last masters in 1984. Being a librarian definitely helps me with the concepts of research and scholarship. Lorne spends his time bicycling the city, reading, and cooking while I study. But we both find time to visit the outside pool at the Fitness and Wellness Centre. Enjoy the photos! I've bought a new one-piece bathing suit since seeing the pic! How is it that I've only had a 'mommy tummy' in the past five years, when my kids were born 81/83?

Last week we drove to Myrtle Beach. It was fantastic! Miles of clean beach with warm waters for playing. Along the coast the weather is confortable. It's a great way to stay cool. However, the six-hour return trip does tire one slightly.

Two nights ago we had the most spectacular thunder and lightning storm I have ever witnessed. The wind was up and the rain driving hard. Lorne and I had gone outside with our umbrellas, but returned drenched. It was a good cool down as it had been 100F all day.

Tomorrow we are headed to Charleston, for some sightseeing and beach activity. We wear our hats, sunglasses, and sun block to protect us from those damaging UV rays. The drive is two hours. Since Columbia, the state capital, is in the middle of the state, one must drive two to three hours to go anywhere Savannah, Atlanta, Charlotte, Hilton Head. We are having a good time!