April 2017
While on our trip to Savannah, we took a one day side trip to Daufuskie Island, South Carolina. It turned out to be the best part of the trip. Daufuskie is a small (8 square miles) island near Hilton Head Island. You must take a ferry to the island which is steeped in Civil War and Gullah cultural history. I suggest you head to Google to learn about the Gullah people. The island has few cars, so we rented a golf cart for the day and took a guided tour by cart. Our guide was one of the 400 full-time residents of the island so she knew exactly what to show us and taught us quite a bit. The only part we couldn't visit was the northern end, which is occupied by a gated community for the wealthy. They are the "haves" in the have/have not social structure on the island. The island was a fascinating way to spend the day. It's hard to believe we didn't know it even existed a few weeks earlier.
Heading over the Talmadge Memorial Bridge out of Savannah toward South Carolina
Heading over the Talmadge Memorial Bridge out of Savannah toward South Carolina
At the ferry dock in Bluffton, SC ready to go to Daufuskie Island
Boarding our small ferry, the Haig Point Pelican
Pulling away from Bluffton on our way to Daufuskie Island
The Haig Point Lighthouse is on the end of Daufuskie that’s a gated community so you can’t visit it.
A pelican on each post
A pelican on each post
A pelican on each post
Getting off the ferry at Daufuskie Island.
The fire engines and ambulance are some of the very few motor vehicles on Daufuskie Island.
This is what passes for a major highway on Daufuskie Island.
This is more like what most roads on Daufuskie Island look like.
Lucy Bell's Cafe is a cute little cafe with fresh made food.
Lucy Bell's Cafe is a cute little cafe with fresh made food.
Our ride for the day on Daufuskie Island
This girl followed us to Lucy Bell’s Cafe. Luckily the owner knew her.
The special at Lucy Bell's Cafe was a blackened swordfish sandwich. It was quite good!
My mother is learning to drive a golf cart.
We made a few wrong turns and got to see the island dump where they were still burning trees that were downed by storms.
The First Union African Baptist Church
The Silver Dew Winery is smaller than I expected
Inside the Silver Dew Winery
Golf cart speed limits are important on an island where there are about 100 times more carts than cars.
The Mary Fields School is now home to Daufuskie Blues, an indigo dyeing company.
The Mary Fields School is now home to Daufuskie Blues, an indigo dyeing company.
Daufuskie Blues dyes fabric with indigo.
The Jane Hamilton School
Haig Point is the gated community at the north end of Daufuskie Island. Unfortunately, they prevent you from seeing the historic sites at their end of the island.
Passing by the stables
The egret rookery is quite a sight.
The egret rookery is quite a sight.
Not all of the birds at the egret rookery are egrets. These are wood storks.
The egret rookery is quite a sight.
As we were looking at this baby alligator, the huge mother was just 10 feet away watching us! Our tour guide didn’t think much of it. I was mildly concerned we’d be eaten!
Wood stork carrying some nest material
Inside First Union African Baptist Church
Inside First Union African Baptist Church’s praise house
Daufuskie Blues dies fabric with indigo.
Daufuskie Blues dies fabric with indigo.
This house, the Frances Jones House, is actually where our tour guide lives.
This house, the Frances Jones House, is actually where our tour guide lives.
The Moses Ficklin Cottage
At Iron Fish Art, Chase Allen sculpts metal
At Iron Fish Art, Chase Allen sculpts metal
At Iron Fish Art, Chase Allen sculpts metal
The old oyster factory from Daufuskie Island’s hey day as an oystering center
Gullah homes have blue trim to keep evil spirits away.
Carolina Marsh Tacky horses are a unique breed found only in this area.
Carolina Marsh Tacky horses are a unique breed found only in this area.
Just an egret hanging out on a dock
More pelicans
Our ferry, the Haig Point Pelican, waits to take us back to the mainland.
The Harbour Town Lighthouse on Hilton Head Island
A Lowcountry Backyard is a really cool outdoor restaurant on Hilton Head Island
A Lowcountry Backyard is a really cool outdoor restaurant on Hilton Head Island
Live music at A Lowcountry Backyard on Hilton Head Island
Pimento cheese dip because you can’t have too much pimento cheese.
Hushpuppies
We had shrimp and grits at several places in Savannah. A Lowcountry Backyard did it a little different with andouille.
A Lowcountry Backyard is even cooler after dark.
You don’t see games and a swing at many restaurants
Apparently slapping people is OK here. Nice!
A Lowcountry Backyard is even cooler after dark.