Thoughts on South Carolina

Tomorrow we leave South Carolina on the way to Atlanta and an airplane trip for Nana to see new little Izzy. I won't be blogging for a couple weeks since every free minute will be busy with baby and helping out.

So before I leave South Carolina and my blog, I wanted to get down some impressions of this wonderful state.
-driving through tunnels of live oaks with spanish moss dripping everywhere
-maritime forests with warm sunshine dappling through. bike rides on forest paths and across marsh boardwalks
-Intracoastal water crossings, bridges the highest spot arounds, barrier islands with beautiful white sand beaches, just right for a picnic with a good friend
- canoeing along a 'creek' that is as big as most rivers anywhere else
-huge marshes that change color in the light and breezes that are welcome
-Charleston that is so full of history, charm, wonderful homes and plantations. Savannah (it might as well be South Carolina) and its perfect squares and fountains with St Pattys Day green water.
-Congaree National park that is a perfect place for a peaceful stroll along a boardwalk through an old bottomland forest.

And enjoying it all with my darling husband and dearest friends (Trina, Sue, Kirsten & Cline). What a lucky person I am. Life is good.

Isabelle Maryann Martin Arrives!!!!!

Well, I had to do some serious catching up on my blog because there is really big news to report.

Shannon & Christian had their baby at 3:18 pm on 3/18/11! She was 7 pounds, 6 ounces and was 19.5 inches long. Her name is Isabelle Maryann (in honor of Chris's Mom) Martin. She is the most beautiful baby in the world. After a very long & tiring labor Shannon is doing well, and so is papa Chris. Isabelle has some jaundice as I write this, but is in the hospital and expected to be fine. Her parents are seriously sleep deprived. Since Izzy was 11 days earlier than her due date, I am scrambling to change my flights and other reservations. We have had some electrical problems with the coach and are hurrying to get them fixed. We are in Edisto Beach, SC and need to get to Atlanta, GA to catch a plane. I will get to Vancouver on the 28th and finally get to hold my newest grandbaby. Can't WAIT!

Savannah & Charleston with Trina & Sue

Picked up the girls at the Charleston airport and headed directly for Savannah. Weather was 70s and sunny the 2 days we were there. The city was preparing for St Patty's day as they have the second largest St Patricks Day celebration in the country. Had a fabulous first day touring the city on the Trolly Tour. Stopped in a park and several of the old squares to walk around see the flowers and the fountains that all had green water in them for the holiday. Lunch at the Olde Pink House, sitting outside in the sun. She Crab Soup is a local favorite so we shared a bowl. Lots of cream, crab, crab roe, and sherry. Very rich and good.

Next we toured 2 of the historic homes. The Davenport House and the Owens Thomas House. had to go see Jim Williams home from Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil. Just loved this city and all the old squares with their parks and flowers.

The next morning I toured the Savannah History Museum and Sue & Trina went to the Art Museum. We met in the old city market to do some shopping and had a wonderful lunch at Belfords which is noted for the best crab cakes in the city. From there we went to St Johns Cathedral which has amazing stained glass windows and painted ceilings. I thought it rivaled the cathedrals of Europe. By now it was late afternoon and time to head for Charleston.

Arrived in Charleston in time for the wine & cheese hour at the Ansonborough Inn where we were staying. Headed out for dinner in the historic area with Trina's sister Valeria who lives nearby. Our first full day in Charleston we did another city overview tour. The day was mid 70s and bright sun. So fun to see this old city on such a pretty day. After lunch we headed to the Fort Sumter tour. Took the ferry across the harbor to the fort with dolphins accompanying us. All the way over and back, we listened to a recap of the history of this fort where the Civil War began. The ranger at the fort gave an interesting talk and then we walked around the battlements. I must admit to being very distracted as Shannon had called that morning and was starting into labor. (much more on this later) Valeria came into town again to join us for dinner.

Our last full day in Charleston was full again. Up and out early to Magnolia Plantation & Gardens. Toured the old plantation home and walked the gardens. Camelias, magnolia, azaleas, and south carolina jasmine along with pretty plantings of annuals. The dogwood trees were in bloom along with other flowering trees. Very pretty.

Our last big activity in Charleston was the Home & Garden Show. Once a year the historical society has a show of private homes and gardens to raise money. One of the homes was from the 1700s and belonged to the family that owned the Magnolia Plantation that we toured this morning. Valeria joined us for the formal tour and also gave us a bit of an informal tour of her historic Baptist Church and interesting places nearby. We finished up our Charleston visit with a shopping trip to the old City Market. The trip was a fantastic success. Both cities are full of great things to see, wonderful restaurants and we had perfect weather. But the best part was sharing it with such precious friends. Our annual trips are so fulfilling and have made my life so rich. Love you Sue & Trina!

Edisto Beach State Park- on a South Carolina barrier island

John and I arrived at Edisto Beach State Park on March 13th. Wonderful park right on the atlantic ocean with miles of white sand beaches and tons of shells. There is also a maritime forest area of the park with walking and biking paths and an interesting nature center. Kirsten & Cline are coming to stay for a week while I am in Savannah & Charleston with Trina & Sue. John will have some company and a peaceful place to relax while I am gone.

Okefenokee Swamp, Brunswick GA & Jekyll Island

The day we left Florida we had rainy windy weather, the first since we left Tucson. I guess Florida didn't want us to go ;-)) Drove to Waycross GA and the Laura S Walker State Park. Found a spot looking right out at the lake. Then headed to the Okefenokee Swamp Park. It is a great setting, lots of gators, turtles, and water birds. Took in the nature show which was a bit cheesy but fun. John took a picture of me with a baby gator on my head. Train ride through the swamp and the old fish camp was fun.

Near Brunswick GA is the Hofwyl Broadfield Plantation. It was an old rice plantation and the home and grounds were in the family from the mid 1700s to 1973 when the last family member died and willed it to the state. The furnishings were the highlight as they were all family furnishings collected over 250 years. The master bed was a four poster built in 1770. On the grounds were live oak trees that were 500-800 years old. Walked the nature path to the marsh.

The gold coast islands are barrier islands just off the south eastern corner of Georgia near Brunswick. Jekyll Island was the hightlight. This was a private island before WWII. The Rockefellers, Goulds, JP Morgans, Goodrichs and other weathly families in the 30s bought the island as a hunting and beach retreat. They built "cottages" that you can tour today. Huge, beautiful homes that most of us would love to have for our only home. They said that at one time when all the owners were on the island they represented 1/6 of the worlds weath. Now there are miles of beautiful public beaches as the entire island is a state park. The bicycle trails are all paved and criss cross the entire island. Fascinating, fun place.

Kennedy Space Center

From the Florida Keys we had a very pretty drive to Biscayne National Park. Toured the visitor center, video and a lovely boardwalk stroll. Most of the park is best seen by boat but we just had an amazing boat trip to the Dry Tortugas so skipped this one.

On to the Kennedy Space Center. We were there the day the Discovery landed. Heard the sonic boom and had a running commentary over the park loudspeakers. Exciting. Really enjoyed the shuttle take off simulator and the rocket garden.

Stayed 2 nights at Blue Springs State Park and walked the boardwalks and trails there. Nice place in the palmetto forest. The spring is so clear and full of gar (spear nosed fish)

pictures soon....

The Florida Keys & Dry Tortugas

We are in the Florida Keys and loving it. When we got here I made a margarita to celebrate. Turned out pretty good; tequila, triple sec, grand marnier, lime juice and the juice of a tangerine. Yummo as Rachel would say.

I noticed in my recent blogs that I have overused the words wonderful, amazing, beautiful, etc. I guess you can tell we love Florida. We will only get this far SE once in a travels most likely so we are doing are best to see all the good stuff. I will try to be a little more reserved with my superlatives but..... after my post for the keys and Dry Tortuga. They are our favorites so far, especially Dry Tortuga National Park.

Our first day was driving the over water highway with all the spectacular views. It really is one of the most beautiful drives in the country. We got here mid afternoon and just had time to get set up and drive down to check out Bahia Honda State Park. It is exceptional. I tried for a year to get reservation to no avail and I can see why.

Day Two was our Key West day. So much fun. The tour on the trolley to see all the highlights plus stops at Kelly's Restaurant (owned by Kelly Gillis of Top Gun fame), the southern White House (that Harry Truman and other presidents favored) and a great tour of Hemingway House. We saw several of the 6 toed cats that are decended from the original cats that Hemingway kept. After walking the waterfront we were tired and decided to save the sunset fun for the next day.

The Dry Tortugas all day tour was the highlight of this trip so far. We have a beautiful 80 degree and sunny day, although quite a bit of wind. We decided the wind was a good thing as it kept it from getting too hot and also kept the bugs away. The ferry ride to the key was 2 1/2 hours which was very scenic. A nice breakfast on the boat. We had an hour tour of the old fort that was fascinating. It was built right around the civil war and is the largest brick structure in the western hemisphere. Beautiful arches and the views was to die for. After the tour we had lunch on the boat before exploring the island. Walked the moat wall and the top of the fort which is .6 miles all the way around. Saw lots of fish, jellyfish, sea fans, coral, and sea birds. Our favorite was the magnificent frigate with a 7 foot wingspan but only weights about 5 pounds. The ride back was bouncy and long but we had our books and enjoyed ourselves.

We got back to Key West in time for the sunset at the waterfront where local entertainers put on quite a show. Loved the guy with the house cats that did tricks like the lions in the circus including jumping through a ring of fire. Fantastic dinner at the Westin overlooking the water and the sunset. This was our wedding anniversary celebration and it couldn't have been a more perfect day. Wonderful..... and now I promise to be less flowery in my descriptions ;-))

Everglades & Big Cypress Natl Preserve

Gators, gators, gators

The Everglades are a 50 miles wide river of grass that is teeming with gators, turtles, and so many kinds of birds. We spent two days here and wished we had more time. Biked the Shark Valley 15 miles scenic loop with a huge observation tower half way. Had a great time on an airboat tour. The highlight was seeing a nest of baby gators, close to a dozen of the little guys. Look close and you can see them.

Sarasota, St Petersburg & Fort Desoto County Park

Feb 24-28 - Loved loved loved this area. Thanks again Doug P from Desert Trails. This county park is at the end of a long peninsula south of St Petersburg and the setting is amazing. It was rated best beach in the country in 2006 and it deserves it. Miles of beautiful uncrowded white sand beaches. Also miles of great bike paths and walking trails, along with big scenic camping sites.

So much to do in St Petes and it is such a pretty town. Started with the waterfront parks and the pier the first morning. Lunch overlooking Tampa Bay before a terrific afternoon at the Salvatore Dali Museum. I haven't been a fan of the artist but after seeing all his work I am now. From there we drove to the gulf coast and did the scenic drive from Clearwater all the way to St Petes Beach. 30 miles of amazing beaches with the big pink hotel at the end as the topper. One day spent at the park and running errands and chores but still fun in such a pretty place.

Our last day in the area we took a day trip to Sarasota. Drove around the town as it is lovely and historic before spending the next 5 hours at the Ringling complex. This place is not to be missed if you are in central Florida. John Ringling was one of the 4 Ringling Brothers who owned the original circus. The complex includes his mansion, a circus museum with a complete circus in miniature, his private train car used to travel to circus locations, and a HUGE art museum with a number of beautiful Reubens. You could spend days at this place but we only had one so we made the best of it.






Have to come back here some day......