Beyond the Garden Wall

I returned to the back wall of Brookgreen Garden and looked out on what seemed to be a wide grass path cutting through undeveloped wetland. Most of the gates that opened to stairs leading down into this natural area were locked but to the far left, there was an opening and a path offering access. I walked down the path and found a sign:

This “undeveloped land” was actually developed. Beyond the garden wall were abandoned rice fields. If I hadn’t read the sign, I would have believed the land to be undeveloped wetlands. I had no idea. Further down the path was the Brookgreen Creek, which connected to the Waccamaw River. Both flow with fresh tidal water.

I watched twigs float by on the current in the creek. There were rice fields across the creek.

On the trail there was another sign that described the rice field trunk. The rice trunk controlled the flow of tidal in the rice fields.

My plan was to take the Oaks Excursion (or Laurel Hill and Springfield Excursion, if the Oaks was full). Regretfully, the tours at the Lowcountry Center weren’t running the day I visited. But maybe it’s a timing thing since the garden gate of awareness is open. There were plenty of discoveries during this visit and much more to learn.

The rice fields are in view. From the back garden wall below the sloping hill, you can see them, if you know what you’re seeing.