The
Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers
went to the Sunflower field
in McConnells, SC
July 12, 2022 |
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The town of McConnells
is located in rural York County between Rock Hill and Chester. It was
incorporated in 1906 and is home to Historic Brattonsville, a living
history village, as well as many historic churches. The Brattonsville
Historic District includes three homes built between 1776 and 1855 by
the Brattons, a prominent family of York County. It was named to the
National Register of Historic Places in 1971. The Bethesda Presbyterian
Church, Brattonsville Historic District, and Hightower Hall are listed
on the National Register of Historic Places. |
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However, the
purpose of the two RV Gypsies' trip today was to see the Sunflower Field
in Draper Wildlife Management Area off of Brattonsville Road in McConnells,
SC. It was the third time they have been to a big sunflower field, but
of course, they have seen many sunflowers that were not in big fields.
A link to the other to fields is at the bottom of this page. |
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HISTORY OF THE
SUNFLOWER - The first sunflowers originated all the way back in 1000B.C.
where, for centuries, they were cultivated as a valuable food (for humans,
cattle, poultry, and other ornamental plants) and for immediate medical
source.
As a native plant of North America, no other plant has had such an
impact and significance as the sunflower. The common name, “sunflower”,
typically refers to the popular annual species Helianthus annuus, or
the common sunflower, whose round flower heads in combination with the
ligules look like the glowing sun. In Greek, helios means sun and anthos
means flower, thus the name Sunflower.
From the beginning of its time the sunflower has been one of the world’s
leading oilseed crops. Early American natives used the sunflower long
before corn and beans were brought to America and made the most of this
gorgeous flowers offerings. Throughout the world, people have and still
do eat the seeds, ground the kernels into flour, extracted oil from
for their hair and to treat coughs. The flower petals and pollen were
used to make dyes for face paint, cloths and baskets. |
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Below: The two RV Gypsies playing "Peek-A-Boo" with the Sunflowers |
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Below: Several
sunflowers on one stem |
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Then the two RV Gypsies walked across
the parking area, up a small dirt path, past a small pond with a nice
reflection of the clouds, and then into a smaller sunflower field. |
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Below: Lee Duquette carried
his cell phone on a selfie stick. He does not always turn off the camera
phone as he walks from one place to another. Karen Duquette is usually
walking behind him on pathways, and she took a photo of herself on Lee's
phone camera. |
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Below: A bee with its wings
flapping |
Below: Corn-on-the-cob
stalks |
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This was an enjoyable day, and although there were a lot of sunflowers,
they were not very big and tall. (However, in 2021, the two RV Gypsies
went to 
