A Return to Beaufort, South Carolina

While Mike and Marg were visiting, we decided to take them to Beaufort, one of our favourite day trips. Unfortunately, Marg was feeling under the weather, so she stayed home to rest and we headed out.

This is a picture of Savannah from the other side of the river. The boat is one of the Savannah Belles Ferries, which run from one side of the river to the other and are free of charge. 

We decided to do the horse and carriage ride, which recounts the history of the city while showcasing some of the beautiful homes. This was our guide, Debbie. She couldn't have been more like Calamity Jane.

At first I couldn't absorb anything that she was telling us as I was trying so hard not to laugh. Her accent and her manner of speaking were hilarious, but once you got into her rhythm, it was good fun.

Just one of the many beautiful trees in Beaufort, this one working its way over the road. Low clearance for sure...

A live oak tree whose branches touch the ground is called an "angel oak." Next year, I really want to visit the grandaddy of the Angel Oaks on Johns Island. Now that's a tree!

Debbie knew every house in town having grown up in Beaufort. She actually knew every dog in town as well, pointing them out on the porches as she saw them. There was a dog basking in the sun on the porch...

And then she pointed out the "guard dog" at this house. That was pretty funny as the dog wasn't the least bit  interested in us. I think they have become immune to tourists.

These are the "stairs to nowhere." Debbie had a story, which I honestly can't remember, but as usual these stories featured some ghost or spirit. I think the reality is the ruins of a house were finally completely removed as they had become a hazard, but the stairs were simply left in place. Not nearly as good a tale!

Once again, after the carriage ride, we went back and viewed a few of the houses on our own. We remembered this one from last year with the gardens that are simply amazing. I can't imagine how many tourists they see with their noses (and cameras) up against their fence. I hope they take it as a compliment.

My favourite house, The Castle...

It takes up a complete block and has 79 windows. An odd number...

No neighbours for them...just the picturesque marshes...

This plant looked so soft and fuzzy...

Our tour guide, Debbie, had mentioned several times that we had to go to the Chocolate Tree and get our free chocolate. "You don't have to buy anything. Just tell them Debbie sent you." Well, we hadn't heard about that on any of our other visits. Free chocolate...sign me up!

They are no dummies. I am sure very few people leave with just their free chocolate. It was really good and surprisingly inexpensive. We'll be back!

We wanted to show Mike the lighthouse on Hunting Island, so we zipped over there after our tour.

It was a perfect day for a lighthouse excursion. I love all the windows, perfectly placed on each flight of stairs to give you a chance to catch your breath and pretend you're looking at the view.

No, I cannot imagine lugging this up to the top. You are able to lift the can, so you can get an idea of the weight. The quote from the nephew of the lighthouse keeper says "I'd just go around and around until I got to the top."

A beautiful view...

A pretty nice lighthouse keeper's house...

I can only imagine how lonely the life must be, cut off from the rest of the world...

Jim had been down at the beach while Mike and I got our workout climbing to the top of the lighthouse. I was at the point of not wanting to go to the beach. Enough steps for one day...all beaches look pretty much alike, don't they?

OMG...no, they do not! I was so glad I walked down. How unique is this? Maybe this is what the Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island looks like.

It was definitely much warmer than when we were here last year. T-shirt weather this time...

A postcard picture of Jim and me. Thank you, Mike, for taking this photo. We love it!

These are palmetto trees, very hardy and resistant to salt, and water and droughts. That's quite a combination. They don't appear to have very large root systems though...

Another absolutely beautiful view...

I really wanted to go ask this couple for their email address and send them this picture. But they looked so content in their surroundings, that I decided to just let them enjoy their solitude.

Another spectacular day trip. This will always be on our list of things to see...