Hilton Head-ing Home
The sun was finally shining during today's short run from Isle of Hope to Hilton Head. Since we left St. Augustine it has been mostly gray skies. This kept the temperature comfortable but we've been missing the sunshine.
Before leaving, we visited Wormsloe Plantation, a State of Georgia Historic Site. A costumed interpreter gave a nice, well-rehearsed tour. Our small group listened intently to his presentation about the early settlement on land granted to Noble Jones by Oglethorpe in the early 1700s and the subsequent change of the occupants through the Revolutionary War to the Civil War.
It is sad that war is the benchmark for a timeframe rather than peace times.
We learned that the early plantation was initially staffed by indentured workers and then, when slavery was legalized by default by the British government, enslaved Africans worked the plantation until Emancipation. We are not sure we understood this explanation of how slavery was established in the Georgia Colony under British law. (Here's a link to interesting insight on the founding of Georgia -starting out on the high road with Oglethorpe https://www.founderspatriots.org/articles/georgia.php )
The remnant ruins of the oyster shell tabby walls revealed that the original "big" house was very modest, even tiny, by today's standards. A much larger house was built by Wymsley Jones, Noble's son. It has been modified through the generations. Although most of the plantation property is public land now, a small part of the plantation, with the plantation home, is privately owned by family descendants.
It was good to see a video about the site produced in 2009 by our friend Becky Marshall of the DNR film office. It was also interesting to see some first-generation 9x12 Wilderness Graphics trail signs, likely dating to the early 80s, still being used on the nature trail.
Change of plans...
Looking at a disturbance off Belize and seeing the chances for tropical development increase to 60%, we decided to change our destination from Beaufort to Hilton Head. Then if our home is still in the "cone of death and destruction" we will head back to Tallahassee to put the shutters up, secure Bay Breeze and pull our small boats out. While we don't expect anything but rain, we feel better about having things prepared for stronger storms. So this will be another unplanned break in our travels.
Windmill Harbour Marina and South Carolina Yacht Club at Hilton Head is an upscale place with an excellent hurricane-safe marina. In fact, the entrance is controlled by a lock to maintain the water level in the basin. It is a bit narrow but the dock staff here are expert at guiding boats in and out. We are sad to leave AQUAVIT alone and not be able to enjoy the amenities we are paying for. Maybe upon our return, we will don our Sunday-Go-To-Meetin' clothes and eat in the 5-star restaurant.
Having a nice walk around the basin we ogled the corresponding upscale boats - Hinkleys, Sabres, and a couple Aileron sailboats. We were pleased to see two other Tiara 31 Open Express boats (like ours) moored in the mix.
When we just rechecked the weather, and saw the chances for tropical development rise up to 70%, we are Hilton Head-ing Home! ... to resume cruising when the coast is clear.
Before leaving, we visited Wormsloe Plantation, a State of Georgia Historic Site. A costumed interpreter gave a nice, well-rehearsed tour. Our small group listened intently to his presentation about the early settlement on land granted to Noble Jones by Oglethorpe in the early 1700s and the subsequent change of the occupants through the Revolutionary War to the Civil War.
It is sad that war is the benchmark for a timeframe rather than peace times.
We learned that the early plantation was initially staffed by indentured workers and then, when slavery was legalized by default by the British government, enslaved Africans worked the plantation until Emancipation. We are not sure we understood this explanation of how slavery was established in the Georgia Colony under British law. (Here's a link to interesting insight on the founding of Georgia -starting out on the high road with Oglethorpe https://www.founderspatriots.org/articles/georgia.php )
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Replica worker dwelling and interior |
The remnant ruins of the oyster shell tabby walls revealed that the original "big" house was very modest, even tiny, by today's standards. A much larger house was built by Wymsley Jones, Noble's son. It has been modified through the generations. Although most of the plantation property is public land now, a small part of the plantation, with the plantation home, is privately owned by family descendants.
It was good to see a video about the site produced in 2009 by our friend Becky Marshall of the DNR film office. It was also interesting to see some first-generation 9x12 Wilderness Graphics trail signs, likely dating to the early 80s, still being used on the nature trail.
Change of plans...
Looking at a disturbance off Belize and seeing the chances for tropical development increase to 60%, we decided to change our destination from Beaufort to Hilton Head. Then if our home is still in the "cone of death and destruction" we will head back to Tallahassee to put the shutters up, secure Bay Breeze and pull our small boats out. While we don't expect anything but rain, we feel better about having things prepared for stronger storms. So this will be another unplanned break in our travels.
 |
| On the way we passed several boats ferrying tourists to Daufuskie Island - otherwise pretty light traffic on a beautiful day. |
Having a nice walk around the basin we ogled the corresponding upscale boats - Hinkleys, Sabres, and a couple Aileron sailboats. We were pleased to see two other Tiara 31 Open Express boats (like ours) moored in the mix.
When we just rechecked the weather, and saw the chances for tropical development rise up to 70%, we are Hilton Head-ing Home! ... to resume cruising when the coast is clear.
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