St. Julien Peaches

St. Julien Plantation Farm Stand, Eutawville, SC

I wait for this farm stand to come to life every year and it never disappoints! Eutawville peaches are famous for their deliciousness and the silver queen corn and fresh tomatoes are a treat.

I spent all Friday at a meeting on the site of our new hospital in Berkeley county and decided to just stay on the road and head for the lake for the night. This was a happy basket of fresh garden treats to bring home. I think I have a little cream in the refrigerator for one of those peaches!

Little Mt. Vernon renovation - Eutawville

Little Mt. Vernon, Eutawville, SC

We were enjoying a delicious BBQ lunch at Sweatman's BBQ when I happened to ask our friend Martha Rose if she knew anything about the Little Mt. Vernon renovation project. The next thing I knew she had contacted the owners who invited us to come tour their project. It pays to have friends with connections!

Wow! I didn't even know exactly where it was until recently since they had cleared out overgrown garden debris that concealed the property. These are some high energy folks and the gentleman, Dwight is doing all of the work himself. The home was built from plans that were popular in the 1930's patterned after Mt. Vernon.

The family is documenting the renovation project on a blog so you can follow along! Little Mt. Vernon. 

Southern version of snowy white fields

Dawson Rd, Eutawville, SC 

I've already started seeing posts of snow so thought I'd share our southern version.

It looks like a good cotton crop this year! 

Peach time!

Peaches, Eutawville, SC   

It is that magical time of year - when delicious peaches are sold at roadside market stands. The St. Julien booth is finally open with tomatoes, corn and peaches for sale. I am enjoying a perfect peach right this moment.

History by the lake

Rock's Pond Rd., Eutawville, SC

I've noted these buildings in passing along the road to Rock's Pond Campground and finally stopped to take a closer look. My understanding is they are outbuildings from the original Rocks Plantation that is now submerged under Lake Marion. More history of the plantation can be found on this site:
South Carolina Plantations. They are sadly falling into disrepair.

Church Island Adventure

Church Island, Lake Marion, SC    

Ever since I learned there was an island with a historic cemetery on it on Lake Marion, I've been determined to get there. I don't have a boat and it seemed a bit far for a kayak adventure. It was. I found a fishing guide who was willing to take us on our excursion and filled his boat with friends looking for old tombstones rather than the giant catfish he is accustomed to. My friend Martha Rose already wrote a nice piece about our day so I will quote her here:

Church Island is the nickname given to a cemetery that is now only accessible via boat.
Church Island wasn’t always called “Church Island” - as it was never intended to be an island.
Back in the late 1930s and early 1940s, the S.C. Public Service Authority (commonly called Santee Cooper nowadays) began snatching up land and condemning it for the purpose of damming the Santee River to form Lake Marion for the purpose of a hydroelectricity project.
As a result of government greed, many plantations, burial grounds, Native American sites and more were lost to the waters of Lakes Marion and Moultrie.
Church Island is a fortunate example of graves that weren’t lost to the flooding efforts to create Lake Marion.
Originally, this site held an Episcopal church, which was sometimes called The Rocks Church, because of its proximity to the former Rocks Plantation.
Once the state government inundated properties and the nearby lands began to fill with water, the church deconsecrated the site as the place to house the church, but the site remained consecrated as the church cemetery.
The church relocated to Eutaw Village, now known as Eutawville, and is the current The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany.
It was a joyous day to see the cemetery and perfect weather for a boat ride with friendly souls.

It was a perfect day. The weather held, we enjoyed a stop for lunch at Sweatman's famous BBQ restaurant on the way, no one was bitten by a snake and we all enjoyed each other's company. Our Captain was terrific so if anyone is interested in lake fishing he is definitely your man. Check out his website at: Catfishinfool

Be there or be square. Wed 8 PM

Eutawville, SC   

Work has been all consuming lately and I escaped for a quick overnight at Lake Marion to begin my weekend. This little building is in Eutawville, SC and since I am never in the area on a Wednesday night I need someone to let me know what the heck happens there at 8 p.m. on Wednesdays. It is a mystery!

An early night, a book to read, good company, a quirky photo-op and breakfast at Bell's Marina. I started my weekend right and hope you have as well. 

Welcome to all the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition folks invading Charleston this weekend.

Eutaw Springs

Eutaw Springs battle site, Eutawville, SC  

It is an odd feeling to stand on lush green grass in a peaceful park where fishermen have their lines in the water and read about the hundreds of lives lost on that very spot. The Eutaw Springs battle of the American revolutionary war was the last major battle in the Carolinas. Wikipedia has a thorough description of the sequence of events. The tombstone is so worn it was impossible to read the inscription but I think it would be Major John Marjoribanks. Rest in peace, gentlemen.

Eutaw Springs:  Eutaw Springs is the site of the last major battle of the Revolution in South Carolina which took place on September 8, 1781, when the armies of General Nathanael Greene and Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Stewart met near these limestone springs. Technically a British victory, the American forces decimated the British ranks forcing them to retreat once again to Charleston. One month later Lord Charles Cornwallis, commander of the British forces in America, surrendered at Yorktown, Virginia. The springs are under the waters of Lake Marion today, but most of the battleground is still above water. Part of the site is maintained as a park by the Santee-Cooper Authority. Major John Marjoribanks, British hero of the battle, is buried on the park grounds.

Rainy day pictures on a sunny afternoon

Eutawville Parish House, Eutawville, SC   

I walked out from work to bright and sunny skies with billowy white clouds. It almost seems wrong to post rainy day images but that is what I have lined up for today's post. These were taken on my drizzly drive home from Eutawville yesterday. I was trying to beat the storm clouds but couldn't resist stopping for a couple of photo ops along the way.

Now, I need to dump the bags of mulch that I bought in the rain yesterday.

Jail House Gang

Eutawville Jail, Eutawville, SC 

I had such a lovely Easter weekend with a lakeside picnic with friends, my son and Archie the poodle. My friend Martha Rose lives in the Eutawville area and us gave the background story on some of the fascinating history of the area. We hopped in our cars and toured her family's historic church (photos to follow!), the Eutaw Springs battle site and the old one room jail house. Our gang posed for a picture thanks to Brandon our photographer but I don't think we all would have fit inside. Meet the Jail House Gang!

I hope everyone has had a good and meaningful Easter Holiday. I meant to do some yard work this evening and ended up at Lowes buying mulch in pouring rain. Not my best plan.

Jail House Gang!

Reflections

Mirror Art, Eutawville, SC  

Aaaah....I do love my weekends. It's been a busy week with holiday luncheons for volunteers at three different hospitals. When I look at the rooms full of good people my heart swells. I am so fortunate to be surrounded with men, women, young and old who are dedicated to making a positive difference in people's lives.

Today's image is from a recent trip to the Lake Marion area. This gentleman enjoyed painting on mirrors and I caught his reflection in his own art work.

Church Photo in Lieu of Attendance

Eutawville, SC  

I only had my little pocket camera with me but had to stop to get this shot of the church in the field of cotton.

Bonus joke this evening (snitched from reddit.com):

So, my Irish friend decided to tell his community that he is an atheist.  

One man in the crowd yelled, "Yes, but is it the Catholic God you don't believe in or the Protestant one?"

Eutawville 5K

Eutawville, SC

I headed up to Lake Marion Friday afternoon and noticed that the little town of Eutawville was holding it's 3rd annual 5K run the next day so I steered my morning walk in that direction and got some fun shots at the turn around point. Proceeds supported the Diabetes and Heart Associations. The DJ - DJ PREZZ was the most fun, seemed to know every single participant and joined the run for a stretch as each group came by.  

I did not run but I did walk to and from the run and that counts in my mind!

 

Room for one for the night?

Eutawville, SC  

It doesn't quite fit the new tiny house fad but almost. I didn't get inside to give you a proper photo tour but as I understand it, it is the old one room jail. I hope there weren't too many crimes committed at once in little Eutawville by the Lake since it isn't very roomy. Y'all behave now.

I've lazed around long enough after work, eating leftovers and watching recorded Naked & Afraid shows. Time to get outside and get a good walk in before it gets dark.