Day 6 Thursday, Oct. 26, 2006Nice day today even if we did get up to the alarm clock. We are heading down to Georgetown, the third oldest city in South Carolina, and there are some interesting places along the way. Depending on how things progress, we want to leave as much time as possible to see as much as possible.
Georgetown, named after George, Prince of Wales to become King George II, is a pretty place and reputed to be the possible site of the first European settlement in North America in 1526. We went to the Visitor’s Center and then took The Swamp Fox Tour around the historic district, and that was most informative. (Remember, my contemporaries, the Swamp Fox, Francis Marion of Walt Disney fame?) In the historic district, markers in blue or beige indicate whether the homes were built before the Revolution or before the Civil War. Some of these homes are still owned by descendants of the original builders—planters who used this area to relax after the hectic social season in Charleston.
Two stories:
1. The planters, in their moments of relaxation where they drank Planter’s Punch (really), would get so drunk they had to be tied on their horses to get home. Hence the expression “to tie one on.” I love that.
2. The kitchens of these houses were detached for fire safety, and when the tantalizing aromas of the food being carried to the main house began to attract dogs that yelped and begged to be fed, the servants began carrying balls of fried dough to throw at the hungry animals—to hush them up. Hence, hush puppies! Cool!
After the tour, Rob and I had a great lunch at the River Room Restaurant on the Harbor Walk, which we walked end to end.
Notice the sign we passed. I’ll write about the River Room separately because it was so spectacular.
Before we left Georgetown, we drove all over the small city. We even met this witch! Guess she was sightseeing too.
On the way home, we drove to Pawley’s Island of hammock fame. Beautiful. Long piers jut out through the marshes where birds wing in and out. The island seems crowded with beach houses, but it has a very tropical air with palms and hibiscus-type plants abounding. Birdsong fills the air. It’s a lovely place.
We also drove through Murrill’s Inlet, another waterfront community with homes and docks lining the shore. Lots of tempting restaurants too. We’ll have to do some research and return.
Dinner tonight is subs from Jersey Mike’s. We’re both tired, and not going out tonight gives us time to hit that blessed Jacuzzi. Trust me—the Jacuzzi in the dark of the night against the background music of the invisible, rhythmic pounding of the surf is just grand.
We also drove through Murrill’s Inlet, another waterfront community with homes and docks lining the shore. Lots of tempting restaurants too. We’ll have to do some research and return.
Dinner tonight is subs from Jersey Mike’s. We’re both tired, and not going out tonight gives us time to hit that blessed Jacuzzi. Trust me—the Jacuzzi in the dark of the night against the background music of the invisible, rhythmic pounding of the surf is just grand.
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