March 27 Tuesday Day 30 Beaufort SC Sleep Inn

When I was talking about the cars a couple days ago I forgot to mention a ’31 DeSoto convertible. A rare find.

We went back into Hilton Head. Many azalea’s in full bloom throughout the Island. Many pine trees, a surprise to me, but still some palm trees and shrubs. Moss on many live Oak trees we saw. In order to go to the lighthouse side of the island, we had to pay 5$. A cheapie like me that hurts. There are many homes and villas tucked away along the road. We wandered through the stores and saw many nice items. I knew we were just a shirt away from leaving the stores. Before we climbed the tower we ate a small lunch at The Sea Pines Resort Quarterdeck Topside Restaurant, outside of course. We started with a Sycamore cabernet each a fine tasting wine. Shirleen with a BBQ Pulled Pork sandwich with chips and I a bowl of Sherry Crab Bisque.

We then went to the tower and climber all 114 steps, 65 feet high. I looked down the center and though this is a place I need not be. Although like I told Shirleen, I had to make free ascent escapes from a 100 foot tower, two different times. The first a free ascent the second with a Steinke hood. This was a nice bird’s eye view of the different islands. The one straight ahead of us was Daufuskie Island a sizable population of Gullah inhabitants from the end of the Civil War until very recently. Gullah are the descendants of freed slaves. The harbor had a majestic live Oak, a Teak and mahogany old time boat and some gigantic cruisers. We also found that shirt.

We then drove back through some out of the way streets to look at the local color. I for one like the more tropical Florida settings. I can see how people who come down here from the north during the cool weather appreciate the climate, look and golf courses.

Mid afternoon we started off to Beaufort SC, a artistic community with an ongoing display. It was only 30 miles or so. It is a little town with a historic seaside type front street. There were 13 stores, the parking was all metered. We found one with 22 minutes on it and started the run through the stores. The first store had the sweet grass baskets we were looking for but, Jerry said lets look at some of the other stores before we buy here. Down the street we went, lots of acrylic, water color and painted pictures of scenery, homes, flowers, trees with moss, birds. There was a lot of pottery, 75$ for one of your leaves Michelle, they did not have the color on the back like you do. We came to the fourth store and there were more baskets. I looked at the regular ones and pricing was similar to the first store. Ah ha, I founds some smaller ones, maybe more my pricing, nope these were 200$ and probably rightly so as they were no more that 1.5 inches long and ¾ inch high. A lot more effort went into the making. Down the street and a quick in and out of the stores because of the meter, we had no change. Well when we went back to the car I noticed the car behind us left and the meter had 42 minutes on it. You guessed it, my Bohemian kinship stepped in, I backed up the car to the other meter. We went in and found ths basket that fit our needs, a nice example of African American art, I think that is politically correct?

Enough of this town and off we went to find a room. We thought we would try and use some of the Hampton Inn points, well they were full. Next, Country Inn and Suites, I needed my card – probably in MN somewhere r a printed confirmation. This did not set well and I told them that there is no reason for me to stay at any of theirs again. Time for dindin.

We had found a nice looking and as the lady behind the chamber counter said, it is fine dining. I asked if I was properly dressed, she said now a-days it is acceptable. Even though many of the people who were there were dressed with my normal blue sport coat when we travel abroad. We ate at The Beaufort Inn – Veranda restaurant. Starting with a glass of Sterling cabernet Reserve each 11$, later I had a Lois Latour chardonnay 8$. We then shared a Cab Cake with a black eyed bean, small half tomatoes, collard greens and sauce accompanied with fresh buns with a butter blend with crushed pecan and black strap molasses. Our main meal was a split, it was a special with two six ounce lobster tails on a corn and red pepper hoe cake with a fine white sauce and three pieces of grilled asparagus. They plated both meals separately and only up charged 2$.

Of to beddie bye, we were going to go another 35 miles or so but said lets stop her in Beaufort. Tomorrow I think we are headed to Charleston unless we find something else here in town to do. Jerr - Got Joe's letter out this morn.