Checking out Folly Beach

Just south of Charleston, South Carolina, is the beach community Folly Beach. Linda and I took a spin around town but found it challenging to find public access to the beach. We DID find the path up to where we could see the Morris Island lighthouse. It took a walk of about a quarter mile to reach the point where we could see the lighthouse. The wind whipped over the ocean and dunes putting salt and sand in the air; nice experience for a lifelong Midwesterner.

Checking out the Harbour Town Lighthouse

Honestly, Linda and I both had expectations of a lighthouse more like we saw at Tybee; clearly, the two lighthouses will not be confused. The Harbour Town lighthouse is a much more modern structure finished in 1970. While a little disappointed, it was still pleasant to stroll around the harbor. The shops were closed but we peeked in a few. There was live music flowing out of somewhere. All in all, a nice stop even if the lighthouse was a bit newer than expected.

Strolling in Savannah

Linda and I drove into the historic district of central Savannah with its square parks surrounded by homes, businesses, and churches well over a century old. Each little park was named and often had a distinctive feature like a fountain or statue, many with azalea's in bloom. Designed so that traffic going parallel to the river passed cleanly along the sides of these squares, they were centered right in the line of street going to or from the river. This design made for a squared traffic circle.
When the squares run out, several blocks from the river, you find handsome Forsyth Park and it's fountain. Built in 1858, the fountain is a major feature of the park. That said, this park is much larger than the other small square parks dotting the streets on your way to the river. In the image you can see the broad shaded walkway leading up to the fountain. People were sitting on the benches along the walkway chatting and enjoying the spring weather.

Checking out Tybee Island

Just beyond the mouth of the Savannah River lies Tybee Island, Savannah's beach playground. When Linda and I stopped at the visitor center in Savannah, one of the workers there spoke about spending time relaxing on the broad beach like someone who'd done it and enjoyed it. We parked the car and headed out on the pier to catch a better view of the beach and some spring sea breeze. Pelicans were cruising over the waves, wheeling, and diving for their dinner. We paused for a while, soaking in the seaside experience before moving on to the Tybee Island Light Station.

"Ordered by General James Oglethorpe, Governor of the 13th colony, in 1732, the Tybee Island Light Station has been guiding mariners safe entrance into the Savannah River for over 270 years."

Stopping at Fort Pulaski

At the mouth of the Savannah River sits historic Fort Pulaski National Monument, one time guardian of Savannah. Today, it's a handsome, very well maintained example of fortress design, complete with moat, ammo bunkers, and several period piece cannon atop the walls. The defeat of this fort by new technology during the Civil War signalled the end of an era in fortress design.

"The Battle of Fort Pulaski in April 1862 marked a turning point in military history. It featured the first significant use of rifled cannons in combat. These accurate, long-range weapons shattered Fort Pulaski's walls from over a mile away. After thirty-hours of bombardment, the fort surrendered. The battle surprised military strategists worldwide, signaling the end of masonry fortifications."

Beyond Fort Pulaski sits the Cockspur Island Lighthouse. This view of the lighthouse is actually from one of the gun batteries that fired on Fort Pulaski, about a mile directly beyond the lighthouse. There's a trail we could have taken from the fort out near the lighthouse but, that day, we weren't really up to the hike.

"Tragedy struck again in 1854 when the structure was destroyed by a hurricane. The tower was rebuilt and enlarged on the same foundation the next year. At the start of the American Civil War, the light was temporarily extinguished. On April 10, 1862, Union forces in eleven batteries stretching along the beach at Tybee Island, started a long range bombardment of Fort Pulaski. Thirty-six guns participated in a thirty-hour siege of the fort with the Cockspur Lighthouse in direct line of fire."

"Following the surrender of Fort Pulaski on April 11, 1862, the little beacon miraculously only suffered minor damage. Theories abound as to why the tower escaped destruction. One theory suggests to effectively hit the Fort walls approximately 1,500 yards distant, Union artillerists had to fire shots at a high angle, thus passing over the tower. This strategy, coupled with the short duration of battle could explain why the tower was spared. Soon after war's end, April 25, 1866, the beacon was relit and painted white for use as a daymark."

Watching the sun come up

Linda and I got up early to see the sun rise over the ocean. When we first went out, there was very little light in the sky. I turned back from the ocean to get the shot of the moon over a couple of homes. As we waited, a rich red worked its way up the sky. The tide was coming in too so the beach before me kept shrinking as the waves rolled a little close. Before long, the waves had reached far enough to fill a small hollow in the beach. The sky was picking up more blue and, in the image at the lower left, made for a nice reflection as Linda walked down the shore, looking for shells as the surf washed over her feet.
Before long, the sun was over the horizon and I thought my photo opportunities were pretty well past. When we got back up to our room, the walkway outside had a palm tree positioned just so it would be well framed in a shot. After a shot or two, a flock of sea gulls came in to eat bread some people were tossing out for them from a room below. When the gulls left, it made for this image.

Exploring a little of Jeckyll Island

Linda and I pulled in at our stop for the evening at beautiful Jeckyll Island. No, the striking building with the tower and croquet on the lawn was not where we stayed. It looks like a beautiful place to spend some time but ... hmmm... there's gotta be a reason we didn't stay there. Ah! It lacks a view of the ocean.

Actually, the Jekyll Island Club Hotel is the centerpiece of historic district of the island. During the late 1800s and early 1900s, the Jeckyll Island Club included Morgans, Rockefellers, and Vanderbilts.

As the sun sank in the west, Linda and I headed up to Driftwood Beach on the north end of the island. Of course, the opportunity to get a nice photo was also attractive. In the background of this shot, you can see the bridge back on the mainland. The route out to the island is actually a causeway making access by car as simple as driving to the store.

As usual, Linda did a nice job of mentioning a shot that would be striking. This is one of my favorite from Driftwood Beach.

We hung around and watched cruise boats ply the waters protected by the island. A few dolphins were playing a couple of hundred yards out. We watched them for a while as the sun set.

Recovering from hard disk failure.

I know, I should have had a better backup strategy for just such an occasion. It's taken me over a month to get everything back to where I feel I can resume fairly normal operation. Just this morning, I found the software that makes it easy for me to assemble the multipanel images I enjoy. Now, I have a lot of catching up to do!