Beaufort Pictures

"The Big Chill"....Really!

Hi All!
Tom and I have had an amazing month. I have friends, Anita and Dick Lamb, who I haven't seen in over 20 years. Anita and I were flight attendants for American Airlines together, many years ago, and sadly over the years we only communicated at Christmas..
Out of the blue, three weeks ago, I received a chain e-mail from Anita. I immediately answered the e-mail because we were cruising in South Carolina, and I thought maybe we could spend some time together as Anita and Dick live in Charlotte, NC...
They changed their plans, and came to Beaufort, South Carolina and we had a great time (like not one minute had passed since the last time I saw them). Not only that, but A & D have access to a beautiful home overlooking the marsh in Beaufort and they invited us to leave the boat and stay at the house with them (whixh we did).
The house was wonderful . Its set on 5 private acres overlooking the gorgeous low country of South Carolina.... I loved listening to the sound the "pluff mud" makes in the marsh...like an old fashioned perculator as it just starts to perc. This area is where the "Big Chill "was filmed ( and that's just what our weekend was like) The "Prince of Tides" and "The Great Santini" were filmed in Beaufort as well. Pat Conrooy the author makes his home near Beaufort on one of the barrier islands (Fripp Island).
Beaufort is one of the most gorgeous towns so far on the loop. It is right on the Beaufort river and has a viable small downtown with nice shops and restaurants. The old homes are expensive and well preserved with tree lined streets overhung with Spanish Moss. It is dripping with charm and character and has not been even remotely ruined by the dreaded developers.
Anita and Dick know the area well and they gave us a great tour. I especially loved St Helena Island which was originally a Gullah island. Gullah's are people originally from Africa who retained their own language and culture. We went to a Gullah Art gallery and were so taken with the original art work. One of the many things I love about the south is the history. It makes me realize how young Chicago is compared to the east coast. There are so many historic sites you just happen upon...we saw an old church and burial ground from the 1790's just along the roadside...I kiddingly commented that if it were in Chicago we'd have a hotdog stand and souvenir booth set up right next to it.
The next weekend, we again left the boat to go to Charlotte...Anita and Dick have a houseboat on Lake Norman (a 36 mile long lake right outside Charlotte) Once again a great time was had by all...Charlotte was such a surprise...so beautiful and vibrant. We are grateful each day for this trip and the wonderful people we're meeting and reconnecting with.

Savoring Savannah

Hi Everyone
Tom and I have been in Dubuque, Iowa and Barrington ,Illinois for the past two weeks. Our dear friend, Bruce Lauritsen, finally lost his two and a half year battle with pancreatic cancer, and Tom and I rented a car, loaded up Kodi, and drove home immediately when Jeanne called us with the sad, but expected, news.
We are currently at Thunderbolt Marina in Savannah Georgia,, and have spent the last two days seeing the many sights in this gorgeous city. We've taken two tours, (one a "ghost tour in a horse drawn carriage), visited historic Fort Pulaski, sampled some of the great food, and enjoyed walks through the famous squares of the city while gushing over the beautiful homes and architecture. We wanted to eat at Paula Deans restaurant called "The Lady and sons (she of Food Network fame) but the lines are about two hous long and the food, while good, would "eat" up my weight watcher point allotment for the month...so we took a pass.
We've both lamented the fact that we didn't brush up more on our Civil War history before starting the Loop because we've spent so much time in the south on the trip. Many of our routes went right by Civil war battlefields.
While at Fort Pulaski, the ranger (who gave a stirring talk in character as a Union soldier) informed us that over 600,000 men and boys died during the Civil War. You begin to understand the impact that war had on the country, and the south in particular as most of the battles were fought in their back yard....Atlanta was burned to the ground, and Savannah after witnessing that devestation, surrendered before Sherman reached the city limits..
The park ranger we talked with was about 40 and he and his wife are both rangers...they've lived all over the United States working for the park service...not a bad gig. He also talked to us about the fact that the war is still "present" for some southerners...once, while portraying a union soldier someone actually spat on him!!!
Tomorrow we'll head north toward Beaufort South Carolina, and then to Charleston for a few days. What a beautiful part of the country this area is...if you haven't benn to Savannah and Charleston...don't miss it...it represents a way of life we usually only read about.