Old Salkehatchie Mud Pit PhotosOld Salkehatchie Mud Pit in Yemassee, SC. 8/6/15

Photos by Columbia SC photographer Sean Rayford

"What's your job?" asked one of several waif like creatures who curiously approached me at the Old Salkehatchie Mud Pit yesterday afternoon. "I make photos, what's your job?" I volley back but don't give him the opportunity to respond. "Eating potato chips and drinking soda?"

Old Salkehatchie Mud Pit PhotosOld Salkehatchie Mud Pit in Yemassee, SC. 8/6/15

Photos by Columbia SC photographer Sean Rayford

For over a year and inspired by a newspaper assignment over a decade ago, I've been trying explore the world of mud bogging and on Saturday I finally found it in Yemassee, South Carolina - just north of Coosawatchie and the Georgia border.

Another boy interrupts and informs me that he's got a real job at the Cozy Corner and it's pretty tough work - sweeping and stuff.  Eventually they scurry off and the drivers' meeting is held where I learn that time doesn't start until your truck is moving, you need a helmet and a seatbelt, putting it into reverse will earn disqualification and "If you wave the cable off and that truck stops in the mud - YOU gonna get out and hook the cable yourself."

Old Salkehatchie Mud Pit PhotosOld Salkehatchie Mud Pit in Yemassee, SC. 8/6/15

Photos by Columbia SC photographer Sean Rayford Old Salkehatchie Mud Pit PhotosOld Salkehatchie Mud Pit in Yemassee, SC. 8/6/15

Photos by Columbia SC photographer Sean Rayford Old Salkehatchie Mud Pit PhotosOld Salkehatchie Mud Pit in Yemassee, SC. 8/6/15

Photos by Columbia SC photographer Sean Rayford Old Salkehatchie Mud Pit PhotosOld Salkehatchie Mud Pit in Yemassee, SC. 8/6/15

Photos by Columbia SC photographer Sean Rayford Old Salkehatchie Mud Pit PhotosOld Salkehatchie Mud Pit in Yemassee, SC. 8/6/15

Photos by Columbia SC photographer Sean Rayford Old Salkehatchie Mud Pit PhotosOld Salkehatchie Mud Pit in Yemassee, SC. 8/6/15

Photos by Columbia SC photographer Sean Rayford Old Salkehatchie Mud Pit PhotosOld Salkehatchie Mud Pit in Yemassee, SC. 8/6/15

Photos by Columbia SC photographer Sean Rayford Old Salkehatchie Mud Pit PhotosOld Salkehatchie Mud Pit in Yemassee, SC. 8/6/15

Photos by Columbia SC photographer Sean Rayford Old Salkehatchie Mud Pit PhotosOld Salkehatchie Mud Pit in Yemassee, SC. 8/6/15

Photos by Columbia SC photographer Sean Rayford Old Salkehatchie Mud Pit PhotosOld Salkehatchie Mud Pit in Yemassee, SC. 8/6/15

Photos by Columbia SC photographer Sean Rayford Old Salkehatchie Mud Pit PhotosOld Salkehatchie Mud Pit in Yemassee, SC. 8/6/15

Photos by Columbia SC photographer Sean Rayford Old Salkehatchie Mud Pit PhotosOld Salkehatchie Mud Pit in Yemassee, SC. 8/6/15

Photos by Columbia SC photographer Sean Rayford Old Salkehatchie Mud Pit PhotosOld Salkehatchie Mud Pit in Yemassee, SC. 8/6/15

Photos by Columbia SC photographer Sean Rayford Old Salkehatchie Mud Pit PhotosOld Salkehatchie Mud Pit in Yemassee, SC. 8/6/15

Photos by Columbia SC photographer Sean Rayford Old Salkehatchie Mud Pit PhotosOld Salkehatchie Mud Pit in Yemassee, SC. 8/6/15

Photos by Columbia SC photographer Sean Rayford Old Salkehatchie Mud Pit PhotosOld Salkehatchie Mud Pit in Yemassee, SC. 8/6/15

Photos by Columbia SC photographer Sean Rayford

This narrative is the first in a series titled "Summer of Mud" - a collection of photo essays on mud bogging in the South by Columbia SC photographer Sean Rayford during 2015. Rayford is a freelance photojournalist and commercial photographer in the South Carolina capital city.

Old Salkehatchie Mud Pit PhotosOld Salkehatchie Mud Pit in Yemassee, SC. 8/6/15

Photos by Columbia SC photographer Sean Rayford Old Salkehatchie Mud Pit PhotosOld Salkehatchie Mud Pit in Yemassee, SC. 8/6/15

Photos by Columbia SC photographer Sean Rayford