My South Carolina Journal

My South Carolina Journal

  

Our travels have brought us all around the "lower 48". We zig-zagged, circled through, and around every state we could. Florida was where this endeavor started.

Enjoy your journal.

Thank you for taking this wonderful journey with us. It has been absolutely incredible. 

Please keep in mind that some museums don’t allow photography.

Pambling Roads−My South Carolina Journal

Yemassee

A few miles past the southern border of South Carolina, right in the low country, we found a smorgasbord of beautiful southern homes.

     

Frampton Plantation is on 17 just off 95 and is South Carolina’s Visitors Center & Museum. Old ancient oak trees welcome you as you traverse the driveway, and decorate the yard. In the backyard, you’ll find original Civil War Earthworks.

Like many majestic estates in the south, the original home, built in the 1700's, was burned to the ground by Sherman's troops during the Civil War and the owner rebuilt. The house has been beautifully renovated.

We chatted with Lynn and had a wonderful visit. She was happy to answer all of our questions.

We learned that the house was originally owned by John Frampton, a signer of the Declaration of Secession, and a very prominent citizen in South Carolina.

The live oak in front of the house is about three hundred years old. Their gift shop had an abundant choice of unique gifts that’ll please all visitors.

The Frampton Plantation also had some cotton ball wreaths in their gift shop.

Santee

We arrived in Santee after traveling down 17/15, through urban areas, surrounded by fields and fields of corn, soy, and cotton. People greeted you in Santee, even if you were walking through the parking lot. They didn’t ignore you because you were a stranger or unfamiliar to them, they acknowledged your presence.

It was wonderful.

We ate at the Captain’s Quarters, which was near the hotel where we were staying. Mark was our server and deserved a 5+ star rating for his attention to detail and service. Dinner was the utmost perfection, absolutely wonderful.

It was on this trip that we learned about the Blue Bottle Tree. It was one of those things I’d always wondered about. When I did ask someone, she responded that their grandmother always did it and they thought it was cool so they did it.

I finally learned that it’s a southern superstition. Evil spirits, ghosts, and multiple boogiemen cannot resist the beautiful blue bottles. Curiosity tickles their imagination into discovering what is inside the bottles. They cannot stop themselves from climbing into them.

Unfortunately for them, they don’t know how to get out or cannot get out, finding themselves trapped. Once the sun rises, they’re destroyed.

The superstition doesn’t stop there. At night, when the wind blows you can hear the little boogers moaning and whistling. Many southerners didn’t stop at the bottle tree but also painted their front and rear doors blue, which was also supposed to keep out all the bad spirits, and protect the people who lived in the house.

It’s believed that the bottle tree goes back to Africa where hand-blown glass was hung on huts and trees as a talisman to keep away evil.

While you’re in the Santee area, stop by the Elloree Heritage Museum and Cultural Center. There was so much there, and so much wonderful history preserved. They have a cotton gin house, and you can see how cotton’s grown and harvested from the past to the present. There’s a replica of the town from over one hundred years ago, and a cabin from the founder of Elloree, William J. Snider.

There’s a gift shop, as well, with wonderful gifts and collectibles. The cotton ball wreaths stayed in my mind, especially with the holidays coming.

Charleston

Drayton Hall

This home was an incredibly awe-inspiring and absolutely breathtaking place to visit. Built in 1738, and almost three hundred years old, it’s the oldest preserved plantation house in the United States opened to the public.

There are scenic trails to enjoy and experience the natural beauty. It’s why we loved this area and want to return for another visit.

Stop by the museums shop, it’s chock full of awesome stuff. I walked out of there happy with my treasure of gifts and books.

Thank you or joining in on the fun.

My South Carolina Journal is fun and just the perfect place where it's okay for you to write in and fill in the blanks.

Purchase on Amazon or order at your favorite book store!

 

My South Carolina Journal continues following the Pambling Road travels, helping readers spark their interest with historical trivia and tidbits about South Carolina. It’s an interactive journal designed to nurture creativity and self-motivation. With a small section in the front of the book by the Pambling Roads author sharing her travels, she’s included short quips about the places she's been.The second portion features one side for drawings, sketches, or pasting personal pictures, and the other side lined for notes or journal writing. Use this journal to cultivate exploration, focus on daily acknowledgment of the simple joys of life, on the blessings given, or to write down inspirational quotes−whatever your heart desires, and stirs your interest.Great for all ages!

Comments are welcome!