My husband Lucas and I awoke on our final day at Palmetto Bluff with a deep desire to explore the property’s massive land. What better way to do so than with the two bicycles that came with our cottage?
We decided to see where the Southern wind would blow us, thus we just started riding without a map. We welcomed the idea of getting lost, as that would only add to the adventure.
After about an hour we came upon a map at the edge of an ancient Maritime Forest. Lucas studied it and said, “Let’s go to Moreland!” Neither of us knew anything about this place, but we both had this unexplainable feeling that we had to go there.
The scenery along the way to our destination was breathtakingly beautiful, but it still did not compare to Moreland itself, which turned out to be a one-of-a-kind venue for outdoor entertaining and dining, situated along The May River. Also located there is a famous five-story tree house that wraps around a centuries-old live oak tree.
We parked our bicycles and climbed to the top of the treehouse. As we were taking in the expansive view, we thought we had seen something move in the water. We kept our eyes fixated on the river and sure enough we saw what looked like a dolphin’s fin. We descended the treehouse as fast as possible and ran to the nearest pier to get more up and close and personal with it.
We stood quietly on the pier and were anxious that the noise we had already made scared the dolphin away. However, within minutes we not only saw one, but two appeared! They sensed us watching them and proceed to swim our way and perform for the camera.
Lucas put his hand in the water to see if they would get even closer. Surprisingly, they swam right up to him and for the next hour we took turns touching them and letting them splash us.
As quickly as they appeared, they disappeared. It was truly a magical experience that would be impossible to ever forget or recreate. On our way back to the cottage we could not stop talking about what had just happened and how grateful we were for following our traveler’s intuition.
Oh my! This post is fantastic! REALLY makes me want to visit 🙂 Dolphin pics are wonderful!!!
It was such an amazing experience! I had the hardest time being able to translate it into words…
Wow so cool about the dolphins.. & great photography! Definitely jealous 🙂 x
Thank you and yes it was SO cool!
What a memorable moment!! Also… that treehouse is bringing back so many childhood memories. I always wanted to live in one. They are just so magical!
Great post 🙂
I want to live in one too!!! They are so awesome. Thank you!
What a special day! I am in love with the idea of a treehouse, and to see – and touch! – those dolphins would be magical.
Honestly, it was one of the best days of my life. I still can’t even believe that it happened!
These are such gorgeous photos Andi! This looks like the most peaceful and serene place 🙂
Thank you sooo much, I really appreciate it!
stunning absolutely stunning!!!
Yay thank you!!!
What a jolly and GORGEOUS outing, Andi. 🙂 I’ve been dreaming of bicycle rides this week and hope very much to get a bike of my own this year. 🙂
I hope you do get it dear! Bike rides are awesome!!!
oh wow such wonderful photos Andi!!!!
Thanks sooo much!
What a magical moment with those beautiful dolphins! I got goosebumps just by reading your story, Andi. Amazing pictures too xxx
I got goosebumps writing the post! It was so magical!!! I still can’t believe this happened. Thank you so much for your kind words! XOXO
Oh my, what a great adventure! This place looks like paradise!
Such an adventure and such a paradise!!!
Ahhhhh – loved reading the full story of the magical dolphin encounter!! What an amazing experience – I can’t believe you got so close!
Isn’t it amazing??? Oh how I wish I could relive this day again! Miss you!!!
Just when I thought I couldn’t be more envious, you bring on the dolphins. Le sigh. 🙂
Awwwwww big hugs!
These are amazing pictures Andi!! South Caroline is definitely nothing I thought it would be.. 🙂
And I always get lost when traveling with my husband, he’s the one with sense of direction and I’m not…
Thank you so much!!! And yes I think the Carolinas are totally underrated. I always get lost too!
OMG this is the most amazing experience ever!
Haha pretty much! 🙂
What? Is this even real life? All your pictures looked like they should have come straight out of a Nicholas Sparks movie!!! Jealous
Hahaha yes you’re so right re: NS movie haha! He’s probably filmed there!!! 🙂
That looks like such a scenic spot for a bike ride, and I can’t believe you got to see dolphins!!
I know I still can’t believe it myself!
Wow! Love the view of the river you got from the treehouse! It does seem like a place to film a romantic movie, a place the boy teaches the girl to fish and shows her dolphins, and she finds herself slowly falling for him 😀
Hahaha what a great idea for a movie! I would definitely see it.
Amazing photos of the beautiful trees and trails. What an incredible experience to get so close to the dolphins.
Thank you so much my friend! Yes, it was sooo incredible!!!
wow what a beautiful place and magic to watch the dolpins
Yes and yes!
So very cool. I always have the sense when I read your blog that in order to travel far and wide one must truly know themselves. I think intuition in highly underrated, by the way!
Yes, I think that’s the most important quality to have! You’re so right!!!
that bike ride looks awesome!
L
Was completely awesome!!!
oh my gosh i cannot believe that dolphin just swam right up to yall, what a neat experience. bike excursions are the best!
It was such a surreal moment. I get goosebumps thinking about it!!!
I feel the magic of the South looking at this pictures! Beautiful scenery!!! And I love that shot of you riding your bike down the trail!
The South is so magical! I’m so happy to live here. Thank you, I will let Lucas know you like his photography.
this looks like heaven! I love your photos.
Such heaven! I hope to return one day.
I’ve been wanting to get down to the Carolinas for awhile now. It’s been more than a decade since I last visited either state, and even then I was only at the beaches. I’d love to explore more places like Bluffton. Plus, it’s going to be getting cold in New England soon, so I’m in need of a warm road trip destination.
Yes! You must come and visit!!! You will fall head over heels in love I promise!
So beautiful Andi. And you look great on a bike 🙂
Awww thank you so much!!! 🙂
I’ve always heard South Carolina is beautiful but I haven’t spent nearly enough time there. Your pics are great. And a dolphin experience? That’s amazing!!
SC is SO beautiful!!! I hope you can spend some time there in the future. Thanks for the kind words re: my pics!!!
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