Otter Creek Trail: Kayak/Canoe

March 13th, 2008 Things to See and Do Daniel Bates No Comments

Otter Creek Trail in McClellanville, SC

It doesn’t look like much on the map but otter creek is an exceptional trip that shouldn’t be missed if you’re a nature or wildlife lover. It’s short length makes it the perfect way to wind down in the afternoon and early evening or start your morning off on the right track.

Directions: From blinking light McClellanville, take Pinckney Street into “The Village”, near the end of Pinckney Street turn right at the Town of McClellanville sign into the McClellanville Boat Landing. Access to Otter Creek is possible from any dock or other Jeremy Creek entrance point, but this is the most convenient launch point and is open to the public. Otter creek entrance is on the opposite side of the Jeremy Creek than the boat landing and slightly more to the south (toward the Intracoastal Waterway).

Requirements: Canoe or Kayak, PFD (life jacket), paddle, bug spray (if the bugs are bad), and a camera (if you can juggle one in a boat without dropping it in the water). No need for much else because it’s so short.

Special Notes: Otter Creek is a tidal creek which runs completely dry at low tide. The entrance at Jeremy Creek is shallow and only accessible at about a half tide or higher. Consult a tide chart, if the tide is low and going out don’t risk getting stranded in the middle of the creek.

Trip Length: 1.5 – 2 miles (including paddle back out). An hour if you paddle slow and enjoy every breathtaking moment.

Difficulty: Easy – This isn’t a paddle that’ll impress the guys back at the office, but it is quite scenic and natural. Very short and calm waters on the most windy of days.

Sites to See: Lots of Nature – From the moment you enter Otter creek keep your eyes peeled for egrets, herons and other wading birds. I’ve seen ducks, kingfishers, and a green heron. Palmettos, cedars, and honeysuckle can also be seen along the banks.

I guess I have to put some kind of liability statement in here to protect myself. Watersports are inherently dangerous, I’m not responsible if you somehow manage to get hurt or die, so don’t come after me with any lawsuits.

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Plant and Bake Sale

March 9th, 2008 All Articles Daniel Bates No Comments

McClellanville Garden Club and Civic Club will hold their annual plant and baked good sale at the lot next to the Arts Council. Event sponsors the garden club who maintains and plants new garden all around town.
Donated plants can be dropped off before the 12th at 714 Pinckney Street

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Pluffmud Grand Opening

March 9th, 2008 All Articles Daniel Bates No Comments

Grand Opening of Pluffmud Personalized Gifts and Accessories at 829 Pinckney Street.

10% off for all McClellanville Residents, Door Prizes, and Refreshments

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McClellanville Deerhead Oak Commemoration

March 9th, 2008 All Articles Daniel Bates No Comments

Come celebrate Deerhead Oak’s selection as South Carolina’s Heritage Tree for 2007 at the corner of Pinckney Street and Oak Street in McClellanville, SC.

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Clean Up McClellanville

March 9th, 2008 All Articles Daniel Bates No Comments

Help clean up the town with children from the area schools as they compete against each other by picking up trash.

Contact Sam Watson at (843) 887-3814 or Bud Hill at (843) 887-3030

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Sustainability Institute Talk

March 9th, 2008 All Articles Daniel Bates No Comments

Benjamin Leigh of the Sustainability Institute will discuss ways to reduce energy costs at the Methodist Church Annex presented by Kitchen Table Climate Study Group.

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Pruning Techniques Lesson

March 9th, 2008 All Articles Daniel Bates No Comments

Educational demonstration by a certified arborist on proper pruning techniques at 555 Pinckney Street

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Palmetto Swamp Fox Adventure Race in McClellanville

March 8th, 2008 All Articles, Things to See and Do Daniel Bates No Comments

Before you had even poured your first cup of coffee this morning a group of around 100 people converged on McClellanville for 3^rd Annual Palmetto Swamp Fox Adventure Race. Similar to the Amazing Race television show, competitors race through a series of checkpoints completing a variety of adventures and obstacles testing their mental and physical abilities along the way. The Palmetto Swamp Fox Adventure Race is organized by Kando Adventures and is 2008 USARA Regional Qualifier event. It incorporates kayaking, bicycling, and running (through various terrains) in addition to orienteering and other skills needed to complete obstacles. Where the Amazing Race show is geared more at showing off the local culture of exotic destinations, the Palmetto Swamp Fox Adventure Race is about using our local creeks, forests and swamps to expose (and punish) competitors to all the elements of Mother Nature.The race route started at the town hall in McClellanville where racers had to locate a series of clues (a scavenger hunt of sorts) hidden throughout the historic district and decode a message using those clues back at the town hall. From there the original course plan was to travel from the McClellanville boat landing out Jeremy Creek to the Intracoastal Waterway and down to South Tibwin Trail via kayak. There they would complete various checkpoints and obstacles before paddling further south to Buck Hall Recreation Area for more tasks and then return to McClellanville. The total trip length would cover 55 to 60 miles and take an estimated 7 to 10 hours to complete. Mother nature had other plans and despite Kando’s motto “There’s no such thing as can’t”, rough and stormy seas and a strong constant headwind made event coordinator, Steve Morrone, make a last minute change to the course, completely eliminating the kayaking section. South Tibwin was also excluded from the race due to safety concerns about crossing highway 17 numerous times.

The changes had racers traveling via bicycle on back roads from McClellanville to Buck Hall and then returning the same route. This was a much more simple race, but added over 10 miles extra to the race route and no chance to rest your legs while paddling. One by one, they returned scratched, battered, and beaten, but never defeated. The fastest team, Intel Outside, finished in just under 7 hours. For most first place wasn’t what it was about though. It’s simply facing the adversities and overcoming them. Some raced alone, some raced with one or two friends, but the comradery I witnessed among them all was amazing. Applause was given as each team crossed the final finish line. Some people knew each other from previous races, but you could also tell that they shared this experience together and probably crossed paths a few times throughout the day and formed an unbreakable bond with one another.

I had a chance to speak with Steve Morrone after most competitors had arrived safely back. He said that everything went great and graciously thanked the Town of McClellanville for opening it’s doors to the event. He added that it wouldn’t have been possible with out the town and the volunteers and that he looked forward to holding the event in McClellanville as long as possible.

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Submit Your Photos and Stories to MyMcClellanville.net

March 7th, 2008 All Articles, Community Info, Things to See and Do Daniel Bates 2 Comments

Filming for “The New Daughter” made for an exciting week in McClellanville for many people last week. I finally got the stars settled in their new homes for the next few months. Filming in the town wrapped up Friday evening with some exterior shots at T.W Grahams and the Arts Council, followed by a party at T.W. Grahams for the cast and crew. Several locals were chosen as extras in the movie and lots of people snuck pictures of Kevin Costner and all the rest of the cast. As different as this all was, there’s always something interesting going on in this little town.

I’m always looking for great local stories and pictures of McClellanville. I can’t be two places at once so there’s usually some interesting event, great sunset, or funny story that I miss. If you ever come across something that you think would benefit the other readers of MyMcClellanville, please feel free to share it with me. If you are planning an upcoming event, send me everything that you want to say about it and I will be happy to help you spread the word. If you just had a great vacation in McClellanville or you want to share your knowledge or experience about a local place, person, or thing, your contributions are always welcomed here. I can’t promise I will be able to use everything that is submitted, because there just isn’t enough time in the day to write about all the wonderful things happening in McClellanville.

Send your stories and pictures via email to DanielWBates (at) Yahoo (dot) com. If you don’t have time to write out an email you can call me in the evenings and tell me about it too.

My wife successfully stakes out Kevin Costner and gets her picture taken with him, Cheer Up Kevin!

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Rabies Clinic at McClellanville Middle School

March 7th, 2008 All Articles Daniel Bates No Comments

Rabies Clinic at McClellanville Middle School

$3.00 per animal - Dogs must leashed, cats in carriers

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