Members of Let’s Travel Club enjoyed the southern hospitality of South Carolina and Georgia during their latest tour. The tour was during the first full week of December.
The Southern Charm tour began in Charleston, South Carolina. Once the travelers were settled in their rooms the first day, it was time to sit on the porch of the hotel to watch the Charleston Christmas Parade. There was even a float celebrating the Dallas Cowboys in the parade.
A visit to Boone Plantation was the first group activity. The beauty of Boone Hall, the Avenue of Oaks, the special presentation by a member of the Gullah-Geechee population, and a tour of the slave quarters made for a very interesting beginning of the tour. The live oak trees lining the drive were planted in 1793 and were as beautiful as a picture. The guide who introduced us to Boone Hall and its history was a “picture” of a southern gentleman. The group learned how the Gullah-Geechee people worked to maintain their identity as the generations continue to pass on traditions of old.
The remainder of the day was as filled as the beginning. A visit to the City Market was followed by a cruise with the National Park Service to Fort Sumter. The travelers were reminded that the first shot of the Civil War was fired at Fort Sumter. The group had time to tour the fort and assist in the afternoon lowering of the flag. The 33-star flag is raised and lowered each day at the fort. The first day ended with a drive through James Island County Park where they enjoyed the 3-mile tour of over 500,000 Christmas lights.
Before leaving Charleston, the Let’s Travel group enjoyed a horse-and-carriage tour of the lovely homes and neighborhoods of the area. The bus didn’t leave Charleston until the driver took the group to enjoy Rainbow Row where the houses are painted in pastel colors and a drive through the Battery. The Battery area is bordered by historic antebellum mansions and offers a majestic view of Fort Sumter.
The travelers made a visit to Angel Oak on the way to Savannah. The Angel Oak live oak tree is believed to be 4-500 years old. The circumference of the tree is 25 ½ feet! The city of Charleston maintains the area now where visitors can enjoy viewing and walking around the majestic oak with its wide branches reaching the ground in many areas.
There was a group dinner in Savannah on River Street where the travelers were given a demonstration of preparing a popular dish of shrimp and grits. The demonstration was followed by each traveler having their own appetizer of shrimp and grits. Of course, this time was followed by a delicious dinner which ended with a choice of pecan pie or praline cheese cake.
The travelers were introduced to Savannah by way of a narrated trolley ride around many of the 22 squares which each have historical significance. One of the squares once held the bench on which Forest Gump sat as he told his story. This tour was followed by a visit to the Mercer-Williams House Museum. While the house was originally designed and built for the Mercer family, it was most recently bought and restored by the collector/philanthropist Jim Williams. The story of Jim Williams is related in the book and movie “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.”
Before leaving Savannah, the travelers made a stop at the Pin Point Heritage Museum. Here everyone learned more of the Gullah Geechee people and their importance to the area. These people did whatever they needed to in order to survive. By pooling their resources, they were able to purchase the marsh land and contribute to the economy of the area. Many hours were spent catching and processing crabs and oysters.
The tour continued as the travelers visited the quaint St. Simons Island before arriving at the Jekyll Island Club hotel. Jekyll Island is located in the middle of the Golden Isles. This area was once the vacation spot for the Rockefellers, the Vanderbilts and J.P. Morgan. A narrated tram ride allowed the travelers the opportunity to see the many homes still on the island and enjoy the festive Christmas decorations at each one. Jekyll Island is the home of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center where injured turtles are treated and housed until they can be returned to the wild.
The last evening was spent enjoying refreshments and singing Christmas carols followed by a farewell dinner at the Jekyll Island Club hotel.
Those Let’s Travel travelers participating in the tour were: Cindy Shaunfield from Pearland; Rose White from Groesbeck; Amy Kent from Oakwood; Cindy Hillis and Hanida Oliver from Buffalo; Leslie Avery, Jerri McBay, Eddie and Karen Smith from Fairfield.
Upcoming tours scheduled for Let’s Travel Club include four tours in 2024. There are two tours scheduled for June of next year. The first is a tour that includes Washington, D.C., staying at the historic Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia and a visit to Williamsburg. The second tour in June includes the beautiful Canadian Rockies and Glacier National Park. Then, there are two tours scheduled for the fall. September will find the travelers enjoying the coast of Maine as they explore the landscapes and lighthouses of the coast. October includes a tour of Mackinac Island and Niagara Falls. If you are interested in any of these tours, please contact Jerri McBay at 903-388-2243. If there is a place in the U.S. or abroad you would like to visit, be sure to tell Jerri. She and Collette might can make it happen for you!
