Hilton Head, South Carolina in Pictures

Salty Dog Cafe, in South Beach a popular destination in Hilton Head.  Bloody Mary at the outside bar area.  

Iconic Harbour Town Lighthouse.  You can tour the lighthouse museum.  The construction to the left of the lighthouse is for a large restaurant with outside space called The Quarter Deck, scheduled to be open in time for The Heritage Golf Classis in mid April.

Miles and miles of walking and or bike paths Hilton Head Island.  Most rental properties rent bikes, and there are private businesses with bike rentals on the island as well.  You can rent by day, or by the week.

Daufuskie Island a short ferry ride from Hilton Head, about a third of the size of Hilton Head Island is a popular day trip.  Ferry over, rent a golf cart and cruise the island.  It's historic, and probably looks the way Hilton Head did before the bridge was built which caused the island to grow by leaps and bounds.  Pat Conroy's "Prince of Tides", put the island on the map.

Grande Ocean, one of 7 Marriott Time Shares on the island.  Not the best picture folks, but this resort is in the middle of the island with garden views, ocean front views and ocean side views.  A beautiful resort right on the beach.

A beautiful Camelia at Honey Horn Coastal Park.  There is much to see and do at Honey Horn.  I blogged about it HERE.  There are many varieties to view.  

A map of the island showing the locations of the 7 Marriott Time Shares.  The island is shaped like a foot with Harbour Town in the toe.

Marriott''s Harbour Pointe and Sunset Pointe, in Shelton Cove are located mid Island.  This is the pool and sundeck area.  There's a large shopping center at Shelter Cove for dining and shopping.

Pretty flowers abound everywhere on the island.

If you've not traveled to Hilton Head, put it on your bucket list of places to travel

PLEASE leave me a comment when you come visit, so I know you were here. Your visits and comments are very special to me. AND remember, leave your name and url and not your google+ profile link or your blogger profile link. Name and url takes me right to your blog post so I can reciprocate the visit. Profile pages do not.

Honey Horn Coastal Discovery Museum, Hilton Head Island, SC

Honey Run Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head Island, SC  29926.  We've been to Hilton Head many times, but have never taken the time to visit Honey Horn Coastal Discovery Museum...and should have long ago.  There is much to see and do here.  The museum itself is free and small but worth the time.  You can learn much about the history of the island, make a nice purchase at the little gift shop (I did), and have the opportunity to sign the quest book and leave a donation.  We did all those things.

There are walking trails, restrooms, a butterfly house, a Camellia Garden, an Osprey nesting platform, boardwalk areas, views of the marsh/sound, and Marsh Tacky Horses.  The grounds are quite pretty and worth time to explore.  I've been there twice viewing different areas each time I visited; but plan to go back.

The Marsh Tacky Horse, is a very special breed, and close to extinction with less than 100 breeding mares in the world.  They're not particularly large horses, but have the ability to work in swampy areas without getting stuck.  Their hoof's make the difference.  The strain comes from colonial Spanish horses that have adapted to the area.  SC passed a bill naming The Carolina Marsh Tacky the state heritage horse in June of 2010.

Views of the marsh from a boardwalk area where you can see coastal birds and other wildlife.

A pretty outdoor patio with water feature and pretty gardens often used for special events.

As mentioned above a butterfly house.  As I was there in January, we didn't tour inside; but hope to go back in Spring when there might be more activity to see.

Sign boards explain some history about the area., as well what wild life might be seen.

A small historic cemetery, former location of Honey Horn Chapel (circa 1930's).  The Chapel has been relocated to First Presbyterian Church in the 1990's.

Art display in the museum was interesting.

One of many plaques to honor people important to Hilton Head's history.  There will be a follow up post to highlight a few of these special people.  AND a separate post to show some of the beautiful Camellia's that were blooming when I was there in January.

The museum hours are Monday through Sat 9 am until 4:30 pm (Gate is locked at 5 pm), and 11:00 am until 3pm on Sunday's with the gate being locked at 3:30 pm.

To visit their website, click HERE.  The Museum offers a variety of guided toursw and special activities and programs throughout the year.

PLEASE leave me a comment when you come visit, so I know you were here. Your visits and comments are very special to me. AND remember, leave your name and url and not your google+ profile link or your blogger profile link. Name and url takes me right to your blog post so I can reciprocate the visit. Profile pages do not.

Jarvis Creek Park, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

This big boy was the first to greet us....he's wasn't the least bit shy.  We spotted him very near the walk way which had me a bit un-nerved.  My friend, and the awesome photographer; Margaret said she's seen him before on a previous visit to Jarvis Creek Park.  We choose to go the opposite direction, by the way.  He seems to like to station himself near the small fishing dock; so please be aware folks.  Through out the park are plenty of signs indicating the presence of alligators with warnings to all NOT to feed them.

Jarvis Creek Park and Fitness Trail in Hilton Head, is just off highway 278, William Hilton Parkway at 50 Jarvis Creek Road.  It's a 53 acre park with much to offer.  There are nice restrooms, picnic areas, play areas for the kids, lots of wildlife to enjoy and pretty scenery.

Margaret zoomed and got some really nice photo's of the wild life, while I kept a look out for gators!  She took some photo's with her cell phone and others with a nice camera with a good zoom lens.

This "duck" intrigued us, as we were unfamiliar with it.  Turns out it's not a duck after all, it's a Common Gallinule, (Gallinula galeata) sometimes referred to as a Common Moorhen, especially in older field guides.  After our walk, Margaret did some googling and thought she'd found what it was, and I sent the picture to a blog friend, birder, David who confirmed it.  Please visit his blog for lots of interesting information and wonderful wildlife photo's.

This Blue Heron was hard to see, he was so close to us; but the camouflage was great and we only saw it when it moved.  

The Turtles were all clustered together getting some sun, apparently not minding being all bunched together.

In additional to the pretty scenery and wildlife, there is a pro-WEllness area with 10+ pieces of equipment stationed behind a large Old Live Oak with directions on how to use each piece of eq1uipment.  I confess....I did not see this as we walked, but their website says it's there.  This exercise area was built by Hilton Head Island and Bluffton Chamber of Chamber of Commerce.

The walking path is smooth and wide and flat (about a mile loop), so very accessible to all.  Regular Park Hours are 6 am til 9pm, but winter hours (in effect when daylight savings time stops) is 6 am til 6 pm.

PLEASE leave me a comment when you come visit, so I know you were here. Your visits and comments are very special to me. AND remember, leave your name and url and not your google+ profile link or your blogger profile link. Name and url takes me right to your blog post so I can reciprocate the visit. Profile pages do not.

Eerie Beach Walk Hilton Head Island

 Back in January hubby and I spent several weeks on Hilton Head Island.  We go every January.  Some think it an odd time to go to the beach, but it beats whatever the weather is here in Ohio.  It's generally warm enough to take walks, or ride bikes or play golf.  Sweater weather or a bit more.  Once in awhile fog will roll in about 4 o'clock.   It's usually quite quick and doesn't last long.

 This year however, we had days of fog.  Literally  3 or 4 days in a row that lasted all day.  It was quite bizarre.  As you can tell, you really can't see the ocean.  One day as I started out to walk from our condo (Marriott's Monarch in Sea Pines), I turned around and realized I couldn't even see the resort and thought I might not be able to find my way back.  

 This day's visibility was a bit better, but certainly not much by way of distance.  The blue walk way was very helpful though as I was making my way back.

It was rather eerie I thought.  You could hear people talking often but not actually see them until you were right up close.  Not sure why we had so much of it this year, but it kept me from walking as much as I usually do.  It kept me from bike riding as well.  If you can't see where you're going...best not go.  Now hubby still managed to play golf because the courses were far enough away from the ocean and they would clear.

I did a fair amount of knitting and participating in the resorts activities like playing Bingo and Trivia.  



PLEASE leave me a comment when you come visit, so I know you were here. Your visits and comments are very special to me. AND remember, leave your name and url and not your blogger profile.   Name and url takes me right to your blog post so I can reciprocate the visit.

Robert Smalls Memorial in Beaufort, South Carolina

The Historic Tabernacle Baptist Church in Beaufort, South Carolina has a small a historic graveyard to the right of the church as you face it, in a picturesque courtyard.  The church was formed by Black Members when the area was evacuated in 1861 due to Federal Occupation.

A Memorial to Robert Smalls is present as you enter the courtyard and graveyard.  A quote by Robert Smalls reads, "My Race needs no special defense.  For the past history of them in this country proves them to be the equal of any people any where.  All they need is an equal chance in the battle of Life.  Dated Nov 1, 1895.

Hannah Jones was a maid at a hotel in Charleston when Robert met her.  He was born into slavery on April 5th 1839 in a slave cabin behind the main house (located at 511 Prince St) of Henry McKee.  Henry McKee owned his mother Lydia Polite.  It is presumed Henry fathered Robert, some records list him as a mulatto, though pictures show him to be quite black.  Robert owned by Henry  and was leased out to businesses in Charleston when only 12.  It is during that occasion that he met Hannah.  As a slave he spent a good deal of time in Charleston harbor and had many jobs.  He worked on the docs and learned to make sails among other jobs.  Ultimately, he became a pilot; though being Black wasn't given that title..that is the work he did.  He became quite good at it and used those skills to free himself and Hannah and their children and others.  He was on The CSS Planter, a Confederate ship when the 3 White Captains and Pilots decided to spend their evening on shore.  On May 13th, 1862, he commandeered the ship and sailed it safely past 5 Confederate Forts.  On board were 4 large artillery pieces and along with an important coding book.  He was able to use the correct codes in order to appear to be a Confederate and thus wasn't questioned as he sailed to freedom and turned the ship, it's code book, and artillery over to Union Forces.

Though I didn't read any accounts of a 2nd marriage, it seems his 2nd wife, Annie is also buried in the quaint historic church graveyard there in Beautfort.

After the Civil War, Robert Smalls returned to Beaufort and purchased the house at 511 Prince Street from his previous Master, Henry McKee.  His Mother, Lydia lived her remaining days with him there as well.  Robert was a successful business man, and was elected to The South Carolina State Legislature, and United States House of Representatives.    It is because of him, that Blacks were admitted to fight on the side of the Union forces.  He was also instrumental in the formation of the first free and compulsory public school system in the country.

After the compromise of 1877 when Federal forces were withdrawn from the area, he was convicted of accepting a $5,000 bribe by Southern Whites in one of the many efforts to reduce power and respect of Blacks in the South, but was pardoned in a deal which also permitted charges of voter fraud by Democrats to be dropped.

What a remarkable man.  I encourage you to take the time to visit this historic church and graveyard.

**Carol Kilgore, I've been unable to visit and leave comments on your blog because of google+.  You may not be aware of your settings, but it seems things have changed and now ONLY people who join google+ can blog with you.  I know there's a fix, as others have done it.  An hopeful you'll see this post and leave a comment.  Happy to put you back on my blog log, since we enjoyed visiting back and forth during the a-z challenge.  AND perhaps someone who is google+ will see this and let you know how to fix it**

Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.
(C6, RT6)

Provost Dungeon, Charleston, S.C.

 (P post) The Provost Dungeon in Charleston South Carolina, The Old Exchange is quite an historic Landmark, a National Historic Landmark in fact.  You can tour the Old Exchange from 9 am -5 pm daily Mon-Friday.  Your tour includes The Great Hall, The Provost Dungeon, and the Colonel Isaac Hayne Room.  You'll see period pieces and original pieces.  This historic location was in fact where hundreds of slaves were sold, where President George Washington entertained (1791), where The United States Constitution was ratified (1788), and where The Declaration of Independence was presented to the people of South Carolina (1776).  The white wealthy people that is...but, that's another story in and of itself.

 The Provost Dungeon is many feet below the street, at the level of Rivers and was a prison used during The American Revolution.  As you move about characters come to live and tell their story.

 You see people chained to the walls, and some of the movements can be a bit scarey for small children.  If you're going to tour with small children, it would be wise to discuss a little bit about it before hand.

 The figures are quite realistic looking.

 This historic location is where an American Patriot, Colonel Isaac Hayne was in fact hung, after being sentenced to death by The British.

 The site is located at 122 Bay Street and worth the price of admission.

 There are many things to see and learn here, including the story of this woman, Rebecca Brewton Motte.  Though the stories about her and her accomplishment vary abit, it seems she became bigger then life after her death.  She was a very wealth woman, born into a prominent family, and married into another.  She owned 244 slaves.  Some say she used the arrows to light fire to her own house so that the British couldn't use it as a strong hold.  Other accounts indicate she gave the arrows to the military while she lived elsewhere...still quite comfortable in another of her homes.  However, she is considered to be an American Heroine that was involved in The British surrending Fort Motte...her house. 

Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.
(15)

Beaufort National Cemetery

(A-Z Challenge G post)
Graveyards.  Yes, I almost always find a graveyard to visit when we travel.  Why?  I find them fascinating.  The history you see with dates, the beautiful artwork on stones, particularly the older stones, and because most graveyards are pretty, and so serene.

This was a quicker then normal visit, as it was getting late in the day, the sun was setting and it being January, even in South Carolina it gets nippy.  We still had to drive back to our condo in Hilton Head.  Look how perfect each row is.  I'm always impressed with the precision in National Cemeteries.

Precision, even with curves.  The wreaths are left from the National program Wreaths Across America. 
By mid January when we visited, most had been removed, as per protocol.  But laying the wreaths and removing them in a big job.  You pay your respect to those there and I believe you can learn a bit about the area while spending time in a graveyard.

A traditional stone, this one for Daniel Miller, United States Navy #334.    He was someone's son, someone's friend, perhaps someone's father or brother.

Many of The Natl. Cemeteries have a book where you look up your name or other family names.  The last 2 listed are Holladay's, spelled the same as my husband's family.

Carrying across the page, I need 2 photo's but have the plot info 17-0-30 and birth and death dates of Captain Frederick Owen Holladay and his wife who is listed as a Dependant June Hoban Holladay.  Since taking the photo, I've done minimal research and found Capt. Holladay served in both WWII and The Korean War.  He was born in Newton, Mississippi the son of Owen A. Holladay and Kate Hayes Holladay.  He was a ham operator, graduated from Milsaps College and attended George Washington University and Temple University.  We spotted the book and got the info on our way out so we didn't actually find his grave.  Next trip though we'll be ready.

This stone though really got my attention.  It's not the standard military issue.  It reads, Sacred to the memory of Lorenzo S. Snow, Ordinary Seaman of the US Steammer....and I can't make out the ship (will need to research to see if I can find it), who fell in action on Stone River, Dec 25, 1863.  Gallantly battling for his flag and his country.  Love is Eternal.  How sad, died on Christmas Day.  I will be doing some follow up to learn more of this man's story.

Yes, I almost always take time to tour a graveyard when I travel.

Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.
(#9, start with 529)

Historic Churches Bluffton South Carolina

As you walked around Olde Town Bluffton, you can stop and read these signs and maps.  Though I think it's still best to get the free pamphlet at Heyward House Museum.

This is The Church of the Cross.  Beautiful gardens surround it.  The colors really caught our attention and we actually parked and started our tour here.  However, The Heyward House Museum is considered to be the first stop and probably the best place to begin.   This is a Gothic style, built in 1854 as a replacement for a smaller Chapel of The Cross.  Rev. James Stoney was the first Rector. 

The church was not burned during the fire1863, it was spared by the Union troops.  Sadly the great storm of 1893 caused lots of damage.  In 1975 the church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The windows are quite large and very deep.  They must have let lots of air in during the summers heat.

The beautiful organ.  The name Stoney might ring a bell with you.  On Hilton Head Island The Stoney-Baynard Ruins Exist.  The same prominent families appear in multiple areas in the Low Country.

Not an historic building, but a church within the historic district has a bit of story and history to it just the same.  The Methodist Soc began in 1853 with a church.  During the Civil War 2 Confederate Soldiers were able to keep the church from being destroyed.  In 1875 it was sold to The AME Church and a new church was build in this location in 1890.  But, a 1940 hurricane destroyed the church.

Hurricanes have been very damaging to communities in The Low Country, but the people are resilient, they rebuild.

Campbell Chapel A.M.E. Church mentioned above, built in 1853 is a good example of Greek temple style.  Although damaged by the fire of 1863, it was not destroyed. 

It was sold to the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1874.  The members have held services here for more than 100 years.  Some alterations, mainly to the interior were made back in 1969.