Beautiful Beaufort, NC

Last night we watched "The Great Santini"--based on Pat Conroy's book which was filmed in Beaufort.  Tonight we're watching "The Prince of Tides"--another movie filmed in Beaufort and the low country area based on a Conroy book.  ("The Big Chill" is another film/book by Pat Conroy filmed in this area).  On our Clydesdale-drawn carriage tour of the historic district of Beaufort, we were shown the home in which Pat Conroy lived while in Beaufort, as well as other homes and areas  in films (including "Forest Gump").  As we listened to our tour guide tell of Beaufort's history and features, blue angels flew overhead as part of the Beaufort's Air Show festivities.  This and the spring flora abloom....What a great time to visit Beaufort, SC!

Beaufort, SC is located just two hours from Hilton Head on the ICW (48 minutes by car).  It's a town of roughly 13,000 that was founded in the early 1700s by an Englishman (after the Spanish and French were driven out of the area by the Natives).  The entire downtown district is designated a historic site--which is unusual.  At one time, when "southern gold" rice was grown and indigo was a huge export and cotton was king, Beaufort was considered one of the richest areas in South Carolina.  It was a place where wealthy plantation owners built their cottages. Because Beaufort was captured by the Union early in the Civil War, these "cottages" were abandoned by their owners and used by the Union as hospitals for the injured, therefore escaping destruction.  After the Civil War and after SC enacted "Jim Crow" laws, Beaufort went through hard times.  Today, however, it is a lovely town that welcomes visitors and works to preserve its heritage and honor its low country culture.

Being Sunday, we attended the Carteret United Methodist Church in downtown Beaufort (It's been a long time since we attended a church service where the majority of men wore suits!).  The sermon focused on Jesus's visit to the disciples after his crucifixion and how Jesus offered them (and offers us):  (1) Peace; (2) Purpose to go out into the world; and (3) Empowerment through the Holy Spirit.  As we are in Harriet Tubman territory, a region where Martin Luther King, Jr. visited, areas where foreign explorers as well as American soldiers trampled (and with the Marine Corp Depot nearby on Parrish Island, continue to have a presence), this message touched us as we consider God's presence in the world in years gone by and today.

This is one of the several antebellum "cottages" that line Beaufort's Historic Pointe District.  Several had huge porches but with the entry steps actually located on the side of the house.  This was to avoid paying taxes on the footage of the porches which were taxed if part of the home's entry.

Another beautiful home.  Although this one was built in more contemporary times.  There were a few homes in the neighborhood that were built "BC"--meaning, "Before Codes."  Today, new homes are built to fit in with the architecture and flavor of the older, historic homes.

Another beautiful home.  Notice in the photos the Spanish Moss hanging from the Live Oak trees.  Earlier, in the late 1600s, all of the Live Oak trees were cut down by the English to built ships.  Today, the Live Oaks are protected and it is illegal to cut down a Live Oak tree in Beaufort.

This was once an arsenal in Beaufort.  Today it is the Visitor's Center.  It was closed today, Sunday.  Many establishments in Beaufort were closed today or had limited hours.

Meet Jasper who pulled us around the historic district of Beaufort.  He works 3 days a week and is trailered each night to a pasture where he can roam around as he likes.

This home has the iconic ironwork around its perimeter.  This home doesn't have it, but another feature of many of the old homes was a dual staircase to the entry. men walked up one side and women the other (this made it so men would not see the women's ankles as they progressed up the stairs!).

There is a fundraising effort to install this monument in honor of Harriet Tubman on the grounds of a nearby Baptist Church in Beaufort.  We are inspired by this little lady who--risking her own life--had the peace, purpose and empowerment to help so many others.

These are sweet-water grass baskets made by the Gullah people.  We're hoping to learn more about this culture and see more baskets when we get on our bikes tomorrow and explore St. Helena Island.

The air show at the nearby marine base had the Blue Angels performing both Saturday and Sunday.  We had good seats on the deck of Velsignet to watch and admire their precision.