Today was another very short day's ride, because I wanted to be sure to take advantage of free camping in Francis Marion National Forest, and my route doesn't go through very much of it.

Francis Marion is mostly pines with a few deciduous trees in the dense underbrush -- none of the palmetto, live oak, and magnolia that characterized Florida and Georgia's forests.

When I found a promising-looking side road, I stopped to put on tick repellant before heading into the forest.  I followed a smaller branch road that was marked off-limits to motor traffic, and it led me to a good-sized clearing where I made camp.  As soon as the tent was up, I got inside and checked myself for ticks.  I didn't find any, but I stayed in the tent most of the afternoon anyway!

26.4 mi