Nao Santa Maria

Santa Maria, Beaufort, SC 

I've seen the Nao Santa Maria three times. Once, many years ago with along with the Nina and Pinta in the Charleston Harbor. A few years later I was in New York City up inside the top of the statue of Liberty and watched them sail past us. This time I caught a ride down to Beaufort, SC and happened to see the Santa Maria docked at the waterfront park yesterday. It amazes me each time how very small the ship is.

Old Sheldon Church Ruins

Old Sheldon Church Ruins, Yemessee, SC  

We were to get a bright and sunny Saturday and a dreary rainy Sunday for the weekend and my friend Sharon had offered to do a road trip to the Old Sheldon Church ruins so we hit the road on Saturday morning. I've brought you here before but never tire of this beautiful spot. It was a lovely day and the dogwood trees were in full bloom.

Sadly grave markers from this historic spot have recently been stolen. It's hard to understand.

We followed our visit to the church with lunch in Beaufort and the ritual praline stop at the Chocolate Tree on the way out of town. It makes for a perfect day trip.

Old Sheldon Church RuinsSheldon Church has lain in ruin for more than 120 years. Its gable roof, pediment, windows, and interior have disappeared, but the classic simplicity of its design still remains. One of the first Greek-Revival structures built in the United States, Prince William's Parish Church, erected 1745-55, was once one of the most impressive churches in the Province. During the Revolution, the Patriots are believed to have stored gun powder in it. In 1779, when the British General Augustine Prevost invaded the Lowcountry, the church was burned by a detachment which according to tradition, was commanded by the flamboyant local Tory, Andrew Deveaux. Rebuilt in 1826, the church was again burned by Sherman's men in 1865. The ruins are nevertheless a picturesque site from which the visitor can visualize the grandeur of the pre-Revolutionary church.

Beautiful Beaufort by the Sea

Beaufort, SC 

Beaufort is the perfect distance for a day trip and I am the perfect passenger - I hope! Exploring antique stores, walking the water front park and historic district, lunch at Paninis and a stop at the Chocolate Tree for a praline on the way home.

Beautiful Beaufort by the Sea

Beaufort, S.C.

We are fortunate in Charleston to have a number of day trip locations that are manageable drives and good lunch destinations. Summerville, Walterboro, McClellanville, Georgetown and Beaufort all fit the bill. Yesterday I drove down the coast to Beaufort and had a bowl of she-crab soup in a restaurant next to the waterfront park. There was a musical event going on and besides the main stage there were clusters of musicians performing all over the park.

There was a minor disaster when we pulled up to the Chocolate Tree on the way out of town to discover they were out of pralines. I'll need to call the mayor about that on Monday.

Enjoy your weekend, kids! I just got back from my first bowling experience. It was a Nun Fun Fundraiser raising funds for the Pauline Bookstore on King St. I turned out to be a lousy bowler but had a good time.