Tuesday we checked the Outer Banks off our vacation check-list and loaded the 9:30 a.m. ferry from Ocracoke to Cedar Island and the North Carolina mainland.. This pay ferry saved us from a 90 mile trip back up the Outer Banks, and then another 150 miles back south to continue our journey. Lunch was especially interesting as we climbed into the Airstream and made sandwiches and sat at the dinette watching the water go by! Off the ferry at 12:30 we resumed our day’s journey on dry land . . . 7 hours to Charleston, NC. Here, at our first private campground, we plugged into wifi, did 2 loads of laundry and did other housekeeping chores. Wednesday morning we left our Airstream at the campground and headed into Charleston with our eyes set on adding Fort Sumter to our Civil War circuit. A 9:30 boat left the mainland for a 30 minute narrated ride across the sound to the Fort. An animated lecturer narrated the history of the Island for us and then turned us loose with a map to sight-see the Island on our own. I am especially interested in the story of the Hunley (a Confederate submarine that was the first sub in history to sink another boat; she was just raised in 2005!) and it was amazing to think that the Hunley patrolled right in those waters – not to mention the Union Ironclads that bombarded Fort Sumter. Notice the five smaller flags standing behind the 50 Star American Flag. From left to right they are the 31 Star American Flag used before the succession of the Southern States. The second flag is the first "official" flag of the Confederate States of America. The third flag is the State of South Carolina flag. Next is the second "official" Flag of the Confederate States, which was approved only months prior to the fall of the Confederacy. Finally the last flag to fly over the fort was the updated United States Flag which held 34 Stars, three new ones for the newly admitted states during the War.
On this vacation we don’t stay in one place for very long, and Wednesday afternoon brought us to Savannah, GA, where we had reservations at Fort McAllister, another famous Civil War coastal fort. Before enjoying that tour, though, we were ready for supper, a shower, and a good night's rest.
1 Comment
Sharon
6/15/2012 10:18:30 pm
Wow, what a trip you are having! I love all the coastal spots you are visiting and have even camped at Fort McAllister before. I look forward to your next report and travel safely!
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October 2021
We don’t go camping any more . . . we go ‘streamin’ ! The “SIlvermine and His” is our 2018 25' Airstream Serenity with Salsa interior and front twin beds., and ‘streamin’ is the name we use to describe our adventures. Stream along as we document everything from weekend trips to longer summer excursions and full-blown vacations. You know what they say: if you’re not in an Airstream – you’re just camping!
Tom & Ella Brown |