Another Take on Life, the World, and Adventure: Friends of Congaree Swamp Annual Meeting & Oyster Roast

Each year the Friends of Conagree Swamp hold their annual meeting and oyster roast at an historically significant location in the Congaree Floodplain. For 2012 it was held at the Harriet Barber House in Hopkins, SC. This is the longest continuously occupied property (in South Carolina at least) purchased by a freed slave. Our hosts were very accommodating, offering tours of the home, though I never made it in, as well as a venue for the evening activities.

After registration and making name tags, those of us who arrived early enough headed out to a couple of other locations in the floodplain to tour significant areas. The group I was with headed first to the future site of the Wateree Baptist Retreat Center.

Wateree Baptist Retreat Center

Before we set out on a short hike, our competent and entertaining guide (whose name I forget) gave us a little background information on the property.

Our guide

Preparing for the hike

We headed down the trail as a few more people from "my circle" arrived late---typical!

Kathleen, Miriam, Kate, and Warren make a dramatic entrance.

A few of us ended up separated from the group pretty early on, so I didn't hear much of what was said about the property, but it was a pleasant walk none-the-less.

Miriam and Terri by the creek

An interesting Laurel Oak

When we found our way back, we made our way to the Neal Ecological & Heritage Preserve. Mr. Neal took us out to a cemetery on the property. They recently held an official dedication of The Reese Family Cemetery which dates back to the Civil War and has been recommended for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. (The article linked above is pretty interesting.)

J.P. Neal telling us about the Reese family cemetery

After this brief visit, we headed back to the Harriet Barber House for the meeting and some good food. The meeting consisted of a circle of lawn chairs, in the middle of which stood John Grego---master birder, president of the Friends group, and USC statistics dept chair. We approved nominations for board members, John introduced the park personnel in attendence, then the meeting was hastily adjurned when two escaped emus ran into the group and thouroughly distracted everyone.

Then, the Oyster Roast officially began. The expereince was not unlike a good ol' Louisiana crawfish boil, but with oyster knives!

Roasted Oysters!

Kate and Carol are seriously serious about this business.

Carol and Stuart waiting for the next batch to arrive.

This was Kate's first experience at an oyster roast as well. She had a blast! Kate is an intern at Congaree. She is finishing up her internship this week and headed to Salt Lake City for a season or two.

As everyone tried to enjoy dinner, the emus caused quite a stir.

Trouble maker

One came up behind me and bit my finger, and, as a result, was sloshed with the wine that I had been holding in that hand. This one got more than it barganed for when it stuck its head in the steaming pot. It was okay, but stayed away from the pots after that!

Eventually John and I herded them into a tool shed where they sat quietly until we released them later in the evening.

The rest of the evening was spent enjoying good food, conversing (mostly goofing off) with friends, and making new friends.

Here Stuart weaves what is sure to be a tall tale as Keith, Lauren, Ron, and someone I never got around to meeting listen attentively.