Discovering Peaches at Croft State Park

Croft had first caught our attention when Wet Foot had a social studies project about South Carolina’s involvement in World War 2.  It had been an old army training facility but any traces of that history have been relegated to the memories of old men now.  Croft has long been a property of the South Carolina State Parks and was necessary for us to complete our Ultimate Outsider journey.

Croft surprised us as we brought our minivan into a long line of cars, trucks and trailers to enter the park.  Most parks dwelled in relative solitude.  What was happening here?  The drive inside the park led us into a corral for vehicles, trailers and steed.  Croft is home to a prestigious riding and showing venue.  The parking lot was full of some of the most well -mannered horses alongside of some of the most excitable children.  The horses were amiable and turned tolerant and graceful eyes upon the human children who ran and played loudly underfoot.

Promising our own little ones that we would come back to see the beautiful animals, we went out to find our coveted stamp.  We spotted the kiosk and the stamp and then saw a sign pointing towards the woods and on towards a section of the Palmetto Trail.  Our curiosity was peaked.  We explored the trail carefully watching out for evidence of fellow hikers, bikers or horses since all were allowed here.  We followed the trail to the river which was flowing high and strong from the summer’s rains. 

The old army trainees would have gladly joined our afternoon hike.  I am sure the comfortable wooden swings offering tranquil respite were a new accommodation since their time at Croft.  We sat and took in the view of the river.  We laughed that the children had instinctively sat in order of their height and age…something that in general they are loathe to do.  Luckily we got ta picture before Wet Foot realized her gaffe and raced us up the trail and on towards a mighty bridge which was also a recent addition to the park.  The trail proceeded on but the rains had left it such a muddy mess that it was impossible for our troop.

We decided to go back and explore the horse show.  The trail wound back around to the crowded lot full of horse, man and child, truck and trailer.  We guided our gang around horse piles and held hands until we passed the trailers and were closer to the viewing area.  The children had picked a favorite mare while still in the parking lot.  Wet Foot had spied the orange horse and christened her “Peaches”.  To this day, the mention of Croft State Park elicits a yell of “Peaches” at our house.  We stayed for a bit of the show watching horse and rider run, maneuver and turn, showing off amazing athletic prowess and stamina.  We learned that competitions can be more about waiting and resetting than agility and achievement.  We abandoned the show after about an hour which was well before Peaches’ displayed her skill.  It was late and Ben’s patience was wearing thin.  He enjoyed the initial spectacle of the prancing horses but was now much more concerned with the refilling of his insatiable teenage stomach.  We bid Peaches farewell and went off to find food for Ben.