News Flash
DENMARK SC (CR News) — Rom and the Red Barn Studio crew are still traveling the highways and byways of the Palmetto State, sketching and painting as they go. Contrary to popular rumors, they have not been kidnapped by the Lizard Man nor chased away by the Pig Bears who prowl the Palmetto State’s many swamps.
Let’s talk.
The Trail of Swamps
There are more than 500 swamps in South Carolina. Who knew!
And did you know that nearly all of our swamps are within 2-3 miles of a town. Most of them are within 10 miles of five or six towns.
The point is, the story of our towns in the Palmetto State is inseparable from both our railroads and our swamps. If you want an unusual way to learn about the rich culture of the Palmetto State and her towns and communities, just follow the trail of swamps.
That’s what we’re doing now.
Swamp Life
Yes, if you mention “swamp life” to the average person, it will conjure up an image of a wild man with bare feet in overalls like the comic book stereotypes for “hillbillies.” But in reality, nothing could be further from the truth.
Most of the countryside from the Sandhills of South Carolina (think Midlands) to the coast (think Grand Strand and Lowcountry) contains swamps. Nearby those swamps are major cities. They include Charleston, Beaufort, Myrtle Beach, Florence, Orangeburg, and Sumter, to name a few. And then there are the towns too, like Georgetown, Lake City, Conway, Turbeville, Marion, Mullins, and Santee.
From the Midlands to the coast where our swamps are concentrated, you will find interstate highways, airports, large industries, world class hospitals, universities and colleges, athletics, entertainment, and much more. You’ll also find outdoor living, great hospitality, and some of the finest people anywhere in the world.
The land that contains our swamps is a place of rich, robust life!
History and Lore Galore
You’ll find something else along the trail of swamps here in the Palmetto State.
There is a rich history here that includes Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox. And just beneath the surface, there is the lore too! You know, those almost true stories of never-before-heard-of-animals and ghosts and all sorts of other creatures that wander the swamps at night or during times of hurricanes or other great storms.
But best of all, some of the most interesting people in the Palmetto State live in or very near one of our swamps — even if many of them don’t even know they’re living in or around a swamp.
So we’re going to do what generations of people have done before us in the swamps. We’re going to tell some stories. All of them will be true, insofar as we know the stories to be true. And some of them will also be based on the legendary tales that have been associated with Palmetto State swamps for generations.
It should be a lot of fun! Be sure to sign up so you’ll be notified when we publish a new story.
Our Story
That’s our story, and we’re sticking to it! Stay tuned!
While we breathe we hope!
Palmetto Places 