We left the house on Saturday morning, December 29 and headed across town to the Reid's Grocery Store in Cayce. The rain had subsided to a drizzle, but the temperature was cold. The morning was made colder by the stiff breeze blowing from the west. We met up with 5 other A's and headed to Walterboro and lunch at Duke's Barbecue. We left about 8:35 and arrived just as 4 A's from the Lowcountry Club arrived, at 11:45. We had a good car show in the parking lot! But, we weren't there for a car show. We were there for some great barbecue and fellowship. I think there were 26 of us enjoying lunch in a private room. Nice way to start the weekend!
After lunch, we headed for the old downtown area of Walterboro and antique shopping. We shopped in 5 antique stores where a few of the ladies were able to find some vintage era appropriate accessories. Below is a photo of those on the shopping expedition. Miz B is the last in line.
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| Downtown Walterboro, SC |
At 3:00, we said our goodbyes to Hugh Hiott and Henry Coleman, from Charleston, and we drove further south to Beaufort. After arriving at our hotel, we all piled into Calvin's '57 Chevy and Vent's newer minivan for a brief ride to downtown Beaufort. Arriving at 5:20, we were just in time to tour a few of the antique stores before supper. It was decided that another trip just for the ladies was needed in the spring. Lots of nice shops to peruse! Soon, we were treated with a beautiful sunset from Beaufort Waterfront Park.
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| Christmas Tree @ Sunset in Beaufort Waterfront Park |
Eventually, we ended up having supper at Luther's. Great spot for our group of nine. We enjoyed a leisurely meal, then hit another antique shop on the way back to the cars.
The next morning, we met downstairs over a quick breakfast to discuss the plans for the day. First, we drove through the old home area just north of town, seeing the Meechum Home, where The Great Santini was filmed. Then, we were headed for Port Royal, crossing many bridges over the waterways around Beaufort. Upon leaving Port Royal, we were on our way toward Yemassee, SC. Our destination was the old ruins of the Sheldon Church. Of the four Baronies originally granted to Capt. Edmund Bellinger, of whom I am descended, one of 13,000 acres in St. Helena's Parish, Granville County (later in Prince William's Parish, Beaufort District), known as Tomotely Barony, included the 50 acres on which Sheldon Church was built. This church is located between the towns of Yemassee and Beaufort on the Old Sheldon Church Road. Prince Williams Parish Church (Sheldon) was built between 1745 and 1755 on land (Poco Sabo Plantation) donated by Edmund Bellinger. The name Sheldon was used to honor the Bull Family who had a plantation nearby and their ancestral home in Warwickshire, England; both were called Sheldon Hall.
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| Old Sheldon Church Ruisn |
Such a beautiful setting! The ruins are carefully cared for and open to the public. There are headstones scattered all around the grounds.
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William Bull's Grave
Buried March 21, 1755 |
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| 1780 Headstone |
After visiting the Old Sheldon Church ruins, we were off to have lunch near Beaufort. It was a very cold morning with temperatures near freezing. The roaring fire inside the Cracker Barrel was most welcoming to warm us. We enjoyed a wonderful comforting lunch before our drive back to the Columbia area. We arrived home around 5:30, just as the sun was setting over Lake Murray.
Miz B had a great day touring the Lowcountry. She arrived home, having had no issues, with about 575 miles on her newly rebuilt engine; about 300 from this trip. Now all she needs is an oil change and she is good to go on many more tours!
