One Hundred Happy Traveling Suitcase Posts and Contest

Drum roll please! I just hit a milestone-- One hundred happy traveling suitcase blog posts. I'm really excited by that. I started this blog just over a year ago, on February 5, 2009; and so have just gone past that blog anniversary. In one year and 100 posts I'm pleased to say my Google Page Rank is 4, my Alexa rank continues to improve and is now at 71,814, my blog grade is 99, I have 169 followers, have had 45,720 site visitors. I've been given several blog awards from you my faithful readers. THANK YOU!!

I appreciate each and everyone of you who follow me, who subscribe, who visit, and comment. For those on Entrecard who drop, again Thank you!

I couldn't have the enjoyment of blogging without all of you who travel with me. The Suitcase is busy and always out and about. I look forward to another full year of traveling with you all.

Help me celebrate this milestone by joining in on the fun with an opportunity to win the contest. My first contest.

Rules for the contest:

1. Leave a comment on this blog post indicating you want to enter the contest
2. Grab and post my badge to your blog with a link back to this post about the contest (sidebar), letting others know about the contest.
3. Come back and leave a 2nd comment on any of my 15 most recent posts indicating you've posted my badge (15 most recent posts are listed in my side bar), when you do this I should be notified via email from blogger notification.

The contest will run for month of March with the winner's name being drawn on Wednesday March 31st.

Improve your chances to win by making extra comments. Example. The above gets your name in the hat; but each additional comment....real comment, not spam will get you an additional name in the hat. BONUS of 2 chances if you blog about the contest with a link to my blog. If you do this, don't forget to let me know in one of your comments.

**What do you win? A surprise item to help you pack for all your future travels, be they a quick over night for business or a fun family vacation. Don't miss out. The clocks ticking.

Harbour Town Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

A common site when one thinks about Hilton Head. This is the little lighthouse in Harbour Town, a symbol of the Island. Seen often when watching golf from the area. The lighthouse is 90 foot tall, is open as a museum to the public for $5.00. A small gift shop at the base and on top provide shopping opportunities. As you climb the stairs you're viewing the museum items. I'm told this is a good place to watch the sunset. It was about to close the first day we were here, and the 2nd day I tried to tour it; it was closed for maintenance and painting.
Harbour Town Golf Links right on the water's edge is a view you might be familiar with, as it's often shown during competitions on TV. Harbour Town is the toe area of the Island.
As you walk the boardwalk you can view the gorgeous ships, soak in the sun (this was one such day), shop in the quaint little village area; or eat at any of the many restaurants. Though we found many restaurants closed during our stay; as it wasn't "in season".
This, I'm sure is a favorite past-time during the season. The folks you see behind the red rockers are lining up for ice cream. Further down we saw some folks rocking taking in the sun, and a few looked to be taking a nap, while others...like the statue reading a book enjoying the view.

Zion Chapel of East, St. Lukes Parish, Hilton Head, South Carolina

This historic plaque, a bit hard to read indicates this is the site where the historic Zion Chapel of Ease, St. Lukes Parish stood. All that remains is the historic cemetery. Founded in 1767, consecrated in 1833, and destroyed in 1868. Many of the names appearing on these stones tell many stories of Hilton Head Island. In the Pre-Revolutionary War period, the Island was divided into Parishes. This historic cemetery is located on Mathews Drive, named for Phillip Mathews, the first Rector of the Chapel. Specifically it is located on Mathews near Folly Field Road, and William Hilton Parkway--Route 278. I spoke about one of these familes, The Baynard's with regard to The Baynard Ruins.
I have visited and documented many cemeteries, so my reaction to this cemetery came as a surprise. It was dark, damp, and frankly spooky. I've never felt that before when I visited cemeteries. The thick canopy of the tree's keep out the light of day, and the moss hangs low from the trees, somewhat too close to my face for comfort. Grass doesn't seem to grow in this dank atomosphere. Many Revolutionary War Hero's are buried here; and while some of the stones have been replaced and a flag or two were visible; it seemed that many years had passed with little care, and perhaps vandalism. I felt a bit uneasy here, hubby was waiting in the car; so I wasn't alone--but. I didn't know until I returned home and did some research why I had such a uncomfortable feeling.
Mr. Baynard lost his wife from yellow fever, on their wedding day. He was very distraught. His wife died in 1830, his home raided during The Civil War, used as a headquarters for The Union Army and then left in ruins. The Chapel, his chapel abandoned when the plantation owners fled the Union forces to the mainland, destroyed in 1868 by those remaining on the Island in need of the wood--he haunts this land. Yes, this is reported as a haunted location.
Many of the stones are totally covered with moss and lichen and hard to read. Some didn't appear to be readable at all. However, sometimes different light can make a difference in ones' ability to read the stones.

You can see how the tree's canopy adds to the spooky feeling of this little cemetery. It appeared it had been forgotten for quite some time, and then some caring person or group has brought it back.
This crooked stone is half eaten by the tree, a site I've seen far too often. It saddens me. Sometimes nothing of the stone can be read when this happens. And sometimes it's a graveyard so forgotten, no one has records to know whom the person or the family that the marker represents was.

Overview of the Island Here
Beach post of the Island here

Train Travel

Traveling by train. Yes, actually I've done that. Some years back in Canada with a group of 14 on a ski trip. We did have a sleeping compartment, and...oh wait. That's a post for another time. lol Today, we're traveling by train...Thomas The Train. Look at the expression, he is most certainly traveling somewhere in his imagination. This cutie LOVES all things related to trains and can tell you all the names of Thomas The Train's friends. We hadn't gotten to give him his Christmas presents until a few nights ago.
This fun large puzzle show's Thomas The Train chugging along, and the flip side of the puzzle can be colored. How cool is that? So cool, he decided hanging upside to show his excitement was a good idea.
Even coloring, it's hard to catch still enough to get a picture, thus the blur. The special wipe off crayons come with the puzzle.

I think he's traveling to the Island of Sodor to conjure up excitement with Percy, James, and Gordon and friends. Perfect indoor travel for the cold winter months. Right now, we've got about a foot of snow on the ground, (sadly, that makes me think of cold homeless folks). So, indoor train travel is perfect!