Visiting with Hamilton Branch

I am ashamed to admit my relatively low expectations for Hamilton Branch State Park.  We don't boat nor do we have an RV.  These don't sound like deal breaker concessions except that the research I had done of Hamilton Branch suggested that this park existed to give her visitors access to the 71,000 acres of Lake Strom Thurmond.

I had become spoiled by the splendor of significance at the historic sites, made to haughty by the long and challenging trails of the larger parks and recreational areas and downright snotty by the varied activity and program offerings of the other properties in the South Carolina State Park System.  To be honest, I wasn't expecting much.

Yet, Hamilton Branch called quietly and steadfastly as we pursued our goal of Ultimate Outsider.  The GPS was baffled and had not heard of the town of Plum Branch which was home to Hamilton Branch.  Still, with much persistence we managed to rick our mechanical guide into showing us clear to our destination.

We turned in by the familiar brown sign, drove down the main road an don to the kiosk.  By the kiosk stood a flag and a small parking area which provided access to the ranger office and a set of restrooms.  The office was quiet as it was already 6:00.  We watched camper after camper enter further into the park.

We went to the kiosk wondering if the stamp would even be there.  It was- along with a notice welcoming any Ultimate Outsider who might visit Hamilton Branch.  Each park has its own culture and this park's spirit and culture was shared wholly in this one simple flyer.

Hamilton Branch is small but she is welcoming.  She is the Aunt Bee of the South Carolina State Park System.  She is quiet, quaint and quality.  The park welcomed us warmly and made sure we knew of her pleasure at receiving such varied guests as the Ultimate Outsider Program might bring.  The kiosk display made sure that her new visitors knew of all her offerings from the practical comfort of the restrooms to the reclusive escape of her campsites.  She offered her new found visitors quiet places to fish and little known hiking and biking trails.

Enchanted by her hospitality, we could not resist.  In a moment, we had gathered backpacks and hiking sticks and journeyed onto the nature trail which led to the Modoc Connector.  The Modoc was quiet and beautiful.  The hike was the tonic our cramped legs needed as we stretched out the soreness of a long van ride.

We didn't have a lot of time to spend with Hamilton Branch on that first visit, but travelled again to the park in search of a geocache.  This time we were ushered into another area of the park and so made another discovery about Hamilton Branch.  She is a park that is content to be herself.  She gratefully welcomes families to come out and breathe.  She bids them play on her playgrounds in the same manner a grandmother bids you take seconds of apple pie.  She is relentless in the offering of her amenities.

We saw her entertain families as they shared picnic lunches and fun around the lake.  We found our geocache and then walked around enjoying the relaxation that Hamilton Branch lavished on her guests.

We left after a good visit, after having spent enough time to satisfy polite decorum  Hamilton
Branch enjoys her status as a state park, as a place of respite and welcoming.  We would not for all the world insult her with too quick a visit.