It was still dark as I pulled into the parking lot.
I had ridden this trail a couple of times before but had never started out this early.
March in South Carolina; it's hard to predict the weather from one day to the next.
I was dressed in shorts and a t-shirt and had brought along a sweatshirt just in case the temperature felt cooler than anticipated.
As I readied my bike and began to stretch, I concluded the sweatshirt wasn't necessary; so I locked my car, saddled my bike, snapped my shoes into the pedals and began my ride.
I was about 5 minutes into the ride when a stark reality suddenly became quite clear to me...
the sweat shirt was indeed an absolute necessity.
I made an immediate U-turn, successfully retrieved my sweat shirt and once again began my ride; only this time feeling...
a bit more comfortable.
Every time I ride this trail, I imagine the trains that rolled on the tracks here from years past.
I can almost hear the sound of the steel wheels rolling down the rails, and the whistle blowing with a sound that cuts through the foggy morning air.
At different places along the trail, the trees form a natural canopy, providing an illusion to all its travelers that they are traveling in and out of tunnels.
The first few miles of the trail is paved with asphalt, which is great for either a road or mountain bike.
However, a little further down the trail is dirt and gravel and since my intent was to ride the whole trail, I was riding my mountain bike.
As I traveled through the Clemson University Agriculture Extension for Charleston County, I spotted what I call the Egret Tree.
It's a tree on a little island in the middle of a pond with white snow egrets all over it.
I've seen it before on previous rides; but this time, I had my camera, and I was able to get some pretty good shots.
The entire trail displays a plethora of natural beauty; but at around miles 7 - 9, I had to just stop, soak it in and take some pictures.
At about mile 8, the salt water marsh that runs along the Wapoo Cut is literally right up against the trail - on both sides! At one point there is a sand bar that enables me to actually ride off the trail and onto the marsh for a short distance.
The sun was up full now and I took a few more pictures before heading back to my car.
What a great way to start the day! My only regret is that words and/or photographs alone can not even come close to describing the beauty of this trail.
It's one of things that just has to be experienced.