The Catawba Riverkeeper, David Merryman, cordially invites you to check out the spectacular, rare Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies with him this weekend. (Or, you can go on your own.)
I've never been, myself, but several people have told me that I'm really missing out. So, I'm going to make a point to get down to Rocky Shoals at some point this weekend to see those dern lilies (though I'll probably have to zoom in on them from the shore, as I'm unable to attend the Riverkeeper's event. Wa.wa.wa.)
Hope to see you down there.
Here are the deets:
Come see the magnificent Rocky Shoals Spider Lily with staff and volunteers from the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation! Free to members and only a $25 donation for non-members.CRFs annual "bring-your-own" canoe or kayak trip, a guided eco-tour of the Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies at Landsford Canal State Park, 2051 Park Drive, Catawba, SC, will be on Saturday, May 21st. If you want to participate, call or email us to RSVP, then meet us at the park with your canoe or kayak, paddle, personal floatation device, and a picnic lunch. The trip agendas can be found on our website at www.catawbariverkeeper.org.
Dont have a boat? Thats okay too. Catawba River Expeditions of Rock Hill has kayaks available to rent at a discounted rate for this trip ($30 per person).
You may also want to hike the historic ruins of the canals, stone bridges, locks, an historic mill site and a lockkeeper's house, which contains interpretive exhibits about the canal system in South Carolina. The park is open 9:00am-6:00pm Thursdays-Mondays.
Landsford Canal is one of the best-preserved of the 19th Century South Carolina river canals. It is the northernmost of four canals constructed on the Catawba-Wateree river system from 1820-1835. During this period, boats used the canals to bypass rapids while carrying goods to and from the coast. The colony of rare Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies growing there is among the largest in the world.