We are horrible guests while on this trip. We don’t make plans very far in advance which means we don’t give people very much notice when we are coming into visiting range. From South Carolina we headed to Fayetteville North Carolina to visit our friends the Staats. They are stationed at Fort Bragg and were able to get us a spot at Smith Lake campground for our stay despite the short notice.
Month: April 2016
Boone “what the” Hall Plantation
When you are in the south you have to see a plantation. It is actually a travel law I think. So we searched out plantations in the Charleston area and there are a few. The one we really wanted to go to, Boone Hall Plantation, was also the most expensive. Somehow I caved and we splurged (again) and it did not disappoint!
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Charleston
Oh I love the south! It’s green and gorgeous and the people are so friendly! I have not spent hardly any time in the south save for a couple business trips and a trip to New Orleans in college for a marketing convention. So I’m enjoying learning about and experiencing this part of the USA!
However, we are at a difficult point in our trip. We are feeling like we don’t have much time left. Only a little over 2 months left, but a LOT left to see and do. Wahington DC, New York, Boston, the outer Banks. Each of those are probably 5-7 days easily. Not to mention Virginia, and we’d like to get up to Maine if possible. Then there’s the drive back to Colorado and things we want to see on the way back. Nashville and Memphis, and Mammoth Cave in KY to name a few. So we’re trying to pick and choose where to spend our time. Therefore, we only had two days in Charleston, NC.
Fort Sumter and Some Other Stuff About the Civil War
Fort Sumter is in Charleston South Carolina and the first shot of the Civil War was shot there. Some Yankees came down and took Sumter in the night and the next morning raised a huge flag which the townspeople took as a sign of aggression. (I really don’t see what’s aggressive about that ;-)) After laying siege for a couple months the Confederates got bored and threatened to attack. They sent a shell which exploded over the parade ground and even though it didn’t do any damage it acted as a signal shot for the other forts surrounding it. After a while the Union soldiers realized that they didn’t have the manpower to shoot back. They raised a white flag and did a 100 cannon salute, however in the salute Private Daniel Hough had his arm torn off during a misfired cannon shot which killed him instantly making him the first casualty of the war even though it was an accident. Poor guy, how embarrassing.
Skidaway
I was sad to leave Florida but when we arrived at Skidaway Island State Park in Georgia I was very pleasantly surprised. It was a beautiful park with trees covered in Spanish moss. It made me think of a drier Dagobah…where Yoda hung out. We had reservations but you still pick out your spot so we drove around the park and there seemed to only be two options unless we took a handicapped spot which we didn’t want to do. So we picked one and got settled in.
Georgia On My Mind
Skidaway Island State Park
What a gorgeous place!!! This place is still on my mind and possibly one of my favorites on the trip! It’s quiet and absolutely beautiful! Instantly I wanted to take a picture of our “yard.” This park is definitely worth visiting if you are in the area. There is so much to see and learn about in a small area. They have great (short 1.5 miles or less) trails. The trail maps give great info about the plants, trees and history of the area. All the trails are worth exploring. The only downside is it’s about 30 minutes to Savannah and Tybee Island.
Immediately we noticed the cardinals that like to hang out in our front yard. Also the pileated wood pecker that liked the trees in the back yard. Since it’s a state park we of course asked for the Junior Ranger book. Cranky kids meant I sent them out right away to get some fresh air and work on their Jr Ranger books. Mama needed peace and quiet.
Pulaski and Tybee
We woke up to a pretty dreary and slightly windy day. But we didn’t let that stop us. With a lunch packed we headed off to Fort Pulaski National Monument to catch the 11:00 tour. We arrive in the nick of time. The volunteer giving the talk was named….ah crud, we never did ask his name. But this fella was a story teller and he did it in a style where he took us back in time and made us feel like we were part of the action. He got so into taking us on a tour of history and the fort that he ran out of time and had to speed through the last little bit. But he hung around for questions of which we had a few.
Savannah
After our very long stay in Florida we moved on to Georgia. But only for a few days. We headed straight to Skidaway Island State Park just outside of Savannah. Our first day out we spent the day in downtown Savannah. I really liked the historic area. The squares were beautiful and plentiful…every couple blocks there is another one. Not that I know anything about it but I like the architecture. Living in an old house myself (our sticks and bricks) I guess I’m partial to older buildings. The weather was perfect the day we were there; not too hot, not too cold.
Geometrically speaking
Savannah Georgia is made up of squares. You know, an open public space. Savannah squares are NOT like a big area with lots of stores…. NO! Savannah squares are big gardens and a big memorial statue planted smack in the middle. It’s truly awesome. It’s where you see nature in the city.
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Thanksgiving
What? Its not Thanksgiving! At least its not the official holiday we call Thanksgiving but any day is a good day for giving thanks and today seemed like a good day to shout out some thanks!