29 July 2012

Tilting at Windmills

Windmill, Wappoo Cut, Charleston, S.C.
"Do you see over yonder, friend Sancho, thirty or forty hulking giants? I intend to do battle with them and slay them. With their spoils we shall begin to be rich for this is a righteous war and the removal of so foul a brood from off the face of the earth is a service God will bless."

"What giants?" asked Sancho Panza. 

"Those you see over there," replied his master, "with their long arms. Some of them have arms well nigh two leagues in length."

"Take care, sir," cried Sancho. "Those over there are not giants but windmills. Those things that seem to be their arms are sails which, when they are whirled around by the wind, turn the millstone."
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Are we fortunate? We have only the one giant to battle. This adorable windmill watches over the boaters putting in at the Wappoo Cut boat landing. Built by John Roessler at the Wappoo Cut around 1936, it was a landmark along the Intracoastal Waterway. It was donated to the club and moved near Elliott's Cut adjacent to the Plymouth Avenue firehouse boat landing and playground in 2000. She is a sweetie. I've featured her before and I expect I will again.

Sunday night. I am sure there will be giants to battle again this workweek. Perhaps more than usual.
 


6 comments:

Kate said...

I've been meaning to reread Don Quixote but continue to get sidetracked by more "urgent" activities and task. I really should, shouldn't I? You windmill is a perfect backdrop for the quotes.

Kate said...

PS. I do find the boat-on-shore near the windmill a bit amusing. Wonder how our friend Quixote would interpret that?

Catalyst said...

From what I saw of the weather alerts for your area yesterday, those arms must have been whirling.

Charlestonjoan said...

Kate, they were lined up waiting to bring boats back in. I caught one just to set the scene.

Charlestonjoan said...

You got it. Dark clouds and lightening everyday but the rain has been spotty.

canvas prints said...

liking your pictures, the windmill looks so cute to.