Low Country

When we first drove into the area called the low country on Sunday, we noticed along route 17, these small, dare I say shack like structures, along the road. We could not figure out what they could be used for. We learned later that these were the stands where every day but Sunday sweetgrass baskets are sold. This has been going on along this route since 1931. This traditional basket tradition came with the slave ships and remains popular today.

Anneke liked these when she looked at them downtown, but these were priced for the cruise ship in town. She finally found one at the Boone Hall Plantation made by a small group of local women.

http://www.simplybaskets.com/SweetgrassBasketryInformation.html


We visited Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island. This fort, along with the island itself has played a role in some of the major events in American history. The Fort has been in use since the Revolutionary War right thru WWII. The fort has been restored in parts from the Civil War period to its use as a coastal defense and observation port during WWII including a restored command center. The fort overlooks the more famous Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War occurred.

Sullivan’s Island was also the area where more than half of all African slaves entering the country arrived.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Moultrie_National_Monument

While driving around the remote sections of the islands, we came across a fishing dock, where several ships had just arrived. We headed in the work area and managed to pick up some fresh shrimp off the boat . They were just out of the water and Anneke had to remove the heads and do all the cleaning. Clearly if we needed something larger, that would have been possible, as well.

Lastly, I should mention that we are staying at the John’s Island County Park campground. It is a great spot and also happens to be having a holiday lights display at the moment. So we have enjoyed this as well.

http://www.ccprc.com/