ok just moved to Residence at Sandhills...... advice (pictures, winter)

[LexingtonDad]

Isn't lake Wateree where they killed that massive gator last year?

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by LexingtonDad

Isn't lake Wateree where they killed that massive gator last year?

I think that was Marion. Wateree and Murray are generally further north than alligators live, but a stray gator will occasionally make it this far north and west.

[lisake]

We just went last weekend to the SCE&G park on Lake Murray and really enjoyed it. It's very shaded with several covered picnic areas and a concession stand, and it's only $3 per car for entrance. A couple of suggestions. Go early--I believe the park opens at 11. We arrived about noon and all the tables were already taken (we took camp chairs and beach blankets and were perfectly comfortable). Then when we left around 3:30, there was a line down the street to enter, and they were only allowing one vehicle to come in when one left. Also, to get there we took I-20 from downtown to Lexington and then went north on Lake Dr. Traffic in Lexington was pretty bad. When we left we went north from the park to Irmo and then took I-26 back into Columbia. There was much less traffic that route.

[HowardRoarke]

Within the city you have Rosewood Ave. and Devine St. where folks stroll and hang out.

We've been to Lake Wateree, which is great for camping and fishing, Lake Monticello (where the nuclear power plant is) for night fishing (nothing was glowing in the dark FYI), and Lake Murray which has some nice public spots all around the lake. All of these places were safe for night fishing, although some gas was stolen out of a friends' Jeep at the other side of the dam on Lake Murray/Rte. 6 one night last Fall (he should have had a locking gas cap).

Occasionally, we'll drive up U.S. 76 to the Newberry area and hang out. If we can afford it there's a good Greek family type joint in Prosperity right by the railroad tracks. Food is great, cool people. Nice scenery, some things to do, and it's not far from Lake Murray.

Congaree Nat. Park/Swamp is east of there, and features nice trails and the only old growth forest east of the Mississippi. Great stuff for the kids during certain times of year, although I'd be wary of the bugs during the summer. Keep in mind it is a wetlands/swamp/floodplain, whereby if there have been heavy rains Upstate it could be flooded, as well as dam discharges at Lake Murray can compound this. Good time, though, at the right time.

Sesqui is nice, in fact we camped there last Fall and the folks we hung out with that weekend were great. I mean, everbody was friendly and was there to have a good time.

If you want a good Italian meal for a decent price, and are willing to drive a ways from Sandhills, try Enzo's in the older part of Winnsboro (Main St.). Would be about a 25 minute or so drive. Enzo and his staff are good folks, and the food is great. Authentic Italian food. There's a big community festival and car show up there every October. We went last year and it was GREAT. Some good live music, laid back, they shut down the main street, etc. Live music (various types of music) starts around 4PM or so and goes until late. We stumbled upon Enzo's last Fall when we were at the festival.

Camden has a big regional Blues festival around late September.


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[bloeto1213]

We are considering an apartment at The Residence at Sandhill. I need honest feedback from people who live there. Is noise an issue? Can you hear people the living above or below you? How are the neighbors?

[drexellake]

Try Lake Monticello. Real clear water and small sandy beaches all over. If you have a boat they have some small islands you can hang out on?

[Woodlands]

Originally Posted by waccamatt

I think that was Marion. Wateree and Murray are generally further north than alligators live, but a stray gator will occasionally make it this far north and west.

Didnt someone catch a huge piranha in there a few years back the size of a trash can lid??? I cant remember if that is actually what is was or if it turned to be a Pacu which are supposedly similiar but way less agreessive

Either way.. it was a pretty big.. I could take a bite out your a$$ fish. If I dived into Lake Murray and came face to face with a volkswagon sized Pacu ... I think I would have a heart attack before I drown. Anyway..they are probably not half as bad as the Buick sized catfish that hangout out near the bridge and the dam. They can withstand the current as they hover near the opening waiting to catch tempting morsels before they go down the dam into the Saluda......

Ok you dont have to believe me go down there and see for yourself

[Brandon Hoffman]

Pacu's are the vegetarian cousin of Piranhas. They to get much larger and are sold in pet stores. Not sure if they get as big as you're talking about but that would be a huge fish. Didn't hear about that but wouldn't be shocked.

Noodling anyone?

[Woodlands]

Originally Posted by Brandon Hoffman

Pacu's are the vegetarian cousin of Piranhas. They to get much larger and are sold in pet stores. Not sure if they get as big as you're talking about but that would be a huge fish. Didn't hear about that but wouldn't be shocked.

Noodling anyone?

LOL...thats my point.. someone probably bought a Pacu from Pets Smart... it got to big for the tank so they threw it in Lake Murray...there it quickly evolved or got zapped by some radiation possibly from one of the airplane bombers rumored to have been scuttled in the bottom of the lake or some other crap that SCANA dumped into it and voila... instant River Monster that Jeremy Wade and Animal Planet can investigate. Pacus may be vegetarians but they do have teeth..so I will leave it to Jeremy to find out if a big one would bite or not...

[Brandon Hoffman]

Haha, so we're all going noodling around the dam Saturday morning. Who all will be there?