Migos and Two Walks in Orangeburg

Migos

    Otis and I drove out to Orangeburg, SC yesterday for tacos at Migos. We have passed Migos many times going to the Edisto Memorial Gardens, the Orangeburg National Fish Hatchery and City Landing. I have wanted to stop in prior, but it never seemed to work out with timing.  

    Otis impatiently waited in the car, while I went in for food. Entering, I was met with bright colors of piñatas and decorations hanging all over the store. To the right is a good size grocery and the left a fresh meat counter and restaurant in the back. I wasn't sure where to go at first and walked back through the grocery, finding seating at the back of the store and a place to order in the back corner behind the meats. There I was greeted by a nice young lady who took my order. I was there just for tacos, but did want to try a variety, so did get beef, pork and chicken. At the time of this post tacos are $3 each.

Fresh Meat Counter

    While I was waiting, I took some photos then sat back in the dining area. Something that really stood out to me is that this place is incredibly clean and everything seems to be perfectly in place. There were orders ahead of me and it only took around 10-15 mins for the food to come out. I took it to go and Otis and I headed to the nearby City Landing where I knew there were picnic tables.

    The tacos came with a red and green sauce and I had ordered a side of rice. What I got was exactly what I was hoping for. Authentic street style tacos with fresh meat and fresh fixings. If you are in Orangeburg and are in the mood for tacos, I highly recommend this spot. 

    Otis got to sample all three, chicken, beef and pork. He was a happy little pup and liked it so much he even stole a little more when I took my attention off him and the food. All of the tacos were top notch, but if I had to pick a favorite it would have been the pork. That did have fatty bits in it, which added to the flavor for Otis and I. If you don't like fatty bits, then the chicken or beef would be for you. This was really worth the stop and will be a place I will likely return when I am in the area.

Migos

480 Stonewall Jackson St SW

Orangeburg, SC 29115

Edisto Memorial Gardens

    Right across the road from City Landing, where we had our taco picnic, you can find what I think is the best walk in Orangeburg county at Edisto Memorial Gardens. However, what I think makes it the best will not be in this post. Unfortunately, we ran into a closed section of trail. Due to the closure, I decided to add a second walk to this post, but first this is what we did see along our walk at the Gardens.

    We started at the parking lot on Seaboard street and took the path towards the river. Before getting to the river you pass through a stand of fairly large Bald Cypress. If you decide to do the same trip, especially in the summer this could be a nice shaded spot to eat. It was a bit chilly yesterday, so the picnic tables in the sun at City Landing worked well for us.

    The North Edisto River runs along the gardens and for me is the main draw to the park. If you look closely along the left side you can see the boardwalk, which was going to be our main highlight of the walk.

    I am not sure why the boardwalk was closed, likely a tree was down from recent storms. Otis seemed to want to go on anyway, but instead we just headed in the direction of the pond and rose gardens.

    At the pond both Mallards and Canada Geese came over to see us. Otis was pretty good, he pulled, but didn't bark at them. 

    Just across the pond is the rose garden. This photo is looking back in the direction of the pond. If you come at the right time of year nearly all of the roses are in bloom. If you visit at the wrong time, there will be signs informing you not to enter due to pesticide applications. 

    Though the roses were not in bloom yet, some other plants around the gardens were. I could not tell you what either of these flowers are, but there were a number of them in bloom along our walk.

      For me the highlight of this walk was this Orange-crowned Warbler. Soon this species that spends the winter here will be heading far north to nest. For Otis the highlight was definitely the waterfowl at the pond. In all, on this walk, we only covered about a half mile doing a loop. I will definitely try to find another food place to highlight in the Orangeburg area when the boardwalk reopens and show you the best part of this nice county park along the North Edisto River. 

Edisto Memorial Gardens

200 Riverside Dr SW

Orangeburg, SC 29115

Lake Edisto Park

    Located just 6 miles (10 minute drive) from Edisto Memorial Gardens is Lake Edisto Park. This park is much smaller than the gardens, but has some really nice features. For families with kids there is a play area with paved walking path around. For Otis and I, there is a magnificent elevated boardwalk through the Cypress Tupelo riverside of the North Edisto River.           

    Otis was ready for this boardwalk walk. I particularly like this boardwalk with him because it is extra wide and if there are other people around, it makes it easier for me to get by with him. It is extra wide for a reason, it is also a long walk-in river access and at the end that you could launch a canoe or kayak. I would suggest only experienced boaters try this though. I am not sure how well the main river channel is maintained, there is good flow and there are a lot of strainers (branches or downed trees that allow water to pass through, but not boats). 

Flooded Riverside along Boardwalk

Winter Wren

    The boardwalk can be pretty good for birdwatching. On this walk I found two more species that winter in this area, but will return North to nest. Winter Wrens can often be found in from fall to spring in this area. The easiest place to find them is along boardwalks through Cypress Tupelo swamps. Look for them around piles of debris, they are tiny and many of them do not stay out in the open long and often you will only briefly see them as they move from pile to pile or in and out of a debris pile foraging for insects. Brown Creepers often blend in with the tree bark. Most of the time when they are foraging they will start at the bottom of a tree and creep up it, looking for insects hiding in the bark. Once at a high point, they will then fly to the bottom of another tree and repeat the same action.

Brown Creeper

    The end of the boardwalk and the canoe/kayak launch. This summer if I decide to try to paddle this down to the City Landing I will try to make a post about it. Otis is too big to kayak with me, but he does like canoeing, so he might go along as well. Again, I would not suggest beginners trying a trip like this, strainers can be deadly.

Looking at the North Edisto River from the Launch

    

Getting a Drink

  

    Looking down river at the North Edisto from the boardwalk. You can't really see it in the photo, but there is an abandoned boat caught on the riverside.

    Otis found himself a stick on the way back and chewed on that while I looked for birds. It ended up being a really good day.

Lake Edisto Park

1197 Lake Edisto Rd

Orangeburg, SC 29155