Newspaper: SC gov returns from unexplained 5-day absence, says he was in Argentina, not hiking

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford said he “wanted to do something exotic” to unwind after losing a fight over federal stimulus money and was in Argentina during his unexplained absence, not hiking the Appalachian Trail as his staff told the public when questioned about his whereabouts, a newspaper reported.

SC governor expected back at work after unexplained 5-day absence raised big questions

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford was expected back at work Wednesday after a five-day absence for what aides said was a hiking trip that turned into more of a fuss than he ever expected.

SC governor heads back to work after hiking trip blew into big story, cut his vacation short

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford was expected back at work Wednesday after a five-day absence for what aides said was a hiking trip that turned into more of a fuss than he ever expected.

Spokesman: Attention to SC Gov. Mark Sanford’s secretive vacation will bring him home early

COLUMBIA, S.C. — After a political mystery — “Where in the World is South Carolina’s Governor?” — Mark Sanford’s aides said he was stunned by all the fuss over his five-day absence and would cut short a secretive hike along the Appalachian Trail.

Spokesman says SC gov plans to return from secretive hike Wednesday, surprised at attention

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A spokesman for South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford says the Republican checked in with his staff and was surprised by the attention given to his secretive vacation.

SC governor takes Appalachian hike away from toils of office, but state leaders left in dark

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A dayslong absence by South Carolina’s governor left fellow state leaders scratching their heads.

SC governor takes Appalachian hike away from toils of office, but colleagues left in dark

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A dayslong absence by South Carolina’s governor left fellow state leaders scratching their heads.

Spokesman: SC governor’s perplexing absence from capital is because of Appalachian hike

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford has been hiking along the Appalachian Trail, a spokesman said Monday night, explaining a dayslong absence that perplexed fellow state leaders.

Spokesman says SC gov’s last known contact with staff was Thursday; 1st lady unsure his locale

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A spokesman for South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford says the chief executive may not have checked in with anyone on his staff in four days.

SC governor’s unannounced absence perplexes state politicians; Wife doesnt’ know whereabouts

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Where is South Carolina’s governor?

Quotations of the day

“It is a time to address this imbalance. It is time to light the Olympic cauldron in a tropical country.” — Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, speaking to the International Olympic Committee before the committee chose Rio de Janeiro as the site of the 2016 Summer Olympics. Brazil had argued that it was unfair that South America has never hosted the games.