The two RV Gypsies went to the Sunflower field in McConnells, SC July 12, 2022

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.

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.

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.













Below: Several sunflowers on one stem





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.


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.








Below: a bee with its wings flapping	Below: Corn-on-the-cob stalks