Photo TR: Scott and Shan visit the "Low Country"

BeemerBoy · April 13, 2010

As the title suggests, it was time for a weekend getaway to neighboring South Carolina. The winter was long and somewhat harsher than usual, so we were both jonesing for the beach by now. So before our coaster season gets started, it was time to check out the "low country" of South Cacalacka.....and specifically, the city of Beaufort.

Beaufort, SC is a small coastal town just north of Hilton Head (Hi, Zach), and south of Charleston. It's known for its classic Civil War era antebellum houses, marshland, laid back atmosphere, and southern hospitality. It's also pretty well known in Hollywood. Plenty of big movies have been filmed there over the last couple of decades, some of which will be pointed out in this report.

Okay, picture time.

Beaufort. Pronounced, "byew-firt," just like BEAU-tiful.

Upon arrival, we headed down to Bay Street, which is right along the river.

It's a nice little area with a bunch of swings right along the water.

After lunch, and some time to just kick back and relax, we decided to walk the town a bit. First up was an old church.

The church's cemetery had plenty of Civil War era people buried there.

See? Old church + Civil War era = Very old dead people.

Then we came upon this joint....the "Secession House."

This is a "Weeping Oak." It was not crying as we walked by. I think the locals lied to us.

Well, that's nice of Beaufort.

Gas lights on the front porch. This is cool because it involves fire, and fire makes everything 100% better.

Hi, Colin.

Hi.

This one needs a little help.

And finally it was time to hit up the old fashioned ice cream shop. Hi, Erik.

The next morning started out with a guided walking tour of the town. Erected. hehe.

Aforementioned aresenal.

This is called the "Castle" House. Does it resemble a castle? No. So why is it called that? I don't remember. Maybe because it's the biggest one in the area? I really don't know.

What I DO know is that Demi Moore stayed here while filming G.I. Jane. I never saw that movie, but I did watch Demi strip for me many times.....in person. Yay me.

El Camino!

This house behind these gates was also prominently featured in two different films. First was "The Great Santini," in 1979, featuring Robert Duvall, and based on a novel by Pat Conroy.

Next was "The Big Chill" in 1983, featuring Tom Berenger, Glenn Close, and TPR favorite of the ladies....Jeff Goldblum.

A close look at the house.

And we're walking.....

Many of the oldest houses in the area were built of Tabby, which is a material which used mud, oyster shells, and, um, lots of other stuff which I've failed to recall.

These stairs lead nowhere. Apparently, the old house was destroyed by a storm, a fire, or Kanye West. I really should have been standing closer to the guide when she explained this.

This was Pat Conroy's house. He's a novelist responsible for The Prince of Tides. That book inspired Barbara Streisand to direct a movie based on it. Yeah, thanks Pat.

This is a chocolate store along the way. Many of the scenes from Forrest Gump were filmed in Beaufort.

I know what you're thinking, the box of chocolates, right? Well, this store has NOTHING to do with the film.....AT ALL.

This still didn't stop them from trying to piggyback the film's popularity. I think they subliminally try to get tourists to believe they produced the chocolates or something, without ever really saying anything.

When I just plainly asked an employee, "So did you guys have any real connection to the film?" she quietly responded, "no, not really." Awesome.

Hell, come to think of it, I guess I'd try to pull it off on unsuspecting tourists as well.

Hi Wes!

And speaking of Dan.......you know, it wouldn't hurt to email him, and tell him about this.

More Gump-related news to set the scene. In truth, the woman who played Bubba's mom was a local resident, and her church choir was featured in the film. Cool points for that.

Okay, back to The Prince of Tides for a moment. Babs stayed at this house while filming the movie. She chose it because it was the only place in the area with a swimming pool and a privacy fence.

Awesome, heartwarming side story time: Nearby Parris Island is home to every new United States Marine Corp recruit east of the Mississippi. There is also an airbase nearby where a squadron of F-18 Hornets resides. It is not uncommon for these fighter planes to perform routines training manuevers over and around the city limits.

Well, Babs gets the brilliant idea to call up the base commander one day and voice her displeasure with the noise. Needless to say, the commander made note of it, along with the location of her part time residence.

Babs did not need to set her alarm clock the following morning. The proud folks of the USMC provided a pleasant flyover which took care of that.

Afterward, the commander made up a sign which read, "The sound you hear is the sound of freedom."

God Bless the Marines.

Random garden. Yeah.

A member of our walking tour group reached out and put her hand all over the wall just before I snapped this pic. I immediately offered her up for the Marines target practice.

The tour guide mentioned that Blackbeard used to hang out in that building, which was once a bar. I took that to mean literally anything - from the actual infamous pirate, to a random homeless dude who just happened to have a black beard. You make the call.

Anyway, there will be more to come. Arrrh!!

angelcat · April 13, 2010

This house is called "The Castle" because when the tide comes in too far or the marsh is up, water comes around the house like a moat, thus making the house a "castle." See, some people listen to their guide.

BeemerBoy · April 13, 2010

^ That's why I bring you along....so I don't have to listen to everything.

Moving right along, the next day we woke up with plans to hit the beach. Well, with 72 degree weather and 15-20 winds, that didn't exactly go as planned. Oh, we still hit the beach, but you will not be seeing any bikini pics in this report.

What you will see is Hunting Island - home to South Carolina's only lighthouse that is open to the public. You'll also see Parris Island - home to the United States Marine Corp recruit camp.

Enjoy.

What the sign says.

The Sea Turtles in South Carolina care about the environment. The people? Eh, every now and then.

I think Dr. Malcolm and the kids went ahead of us.

Noted.

Okay, we'll get the phallic references out of the way........it resembles a penis.

Here's you first look outside of the tower. It was VERY windy up there that day. So windy, in fact, that I actually felt a bit uneasy for a moment or two.

An artsy look up through the grating that sealed off the "candle" section. I just know Helen Reddy is up there somewhere just waiting to sing "Candle on the Water" for Robb.

Looking back down the spiral staircase.

Hunting Island Lighthouse.

A look at some of the other lighthouses in South Carolina. Sort of.

Time for a walk on the beach.

2009.

2010.

Which was greater? The amount of steps in the lighthouse, or the rolls of neck fat?

Noted.

After the beach, Mr. Turtle greeted us at a wildlife station.

Hi.

OMG, roller coaster picture!!!11!

This is a look out at the Marsh Walk. Some of the Vietnam scenes of Forrest Gump were filmed out here.

The marshland looks like this. Yay?

What's Shannon looking at, you ask?

This funny looking raccoon that was standing around waiting for handouts from the local fishermen. He was tossed a small crab, played with it for a minute and crunched down.

These shrimp boats belong to the Gay Fish Company. No, really. I'm not making that up. In fact, all the shrimp that was used in the filming of Forrest Gump was purchased from this company. They're so gay.

Time to check in on the Masters back at the hotel before cleaning up for dinner.

Dinner was eaten here, at 11th Street Dockside. We both HIGHLY recommend it. It's been voted best seafood restaurant 8 years in a row.....and for good reason.

The lobster and swordfish were AMAZING. The swordfish was the best I've had since eating at Palm in Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas.

Needless to say, the view was also amazing.

The next morning we packed up the Smart Car and headed out to Parris Island.

When reading up about the island and the hours it's open to the public, it said that you should have ID, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance ready to show the guard shack.

In reality, nobody checked anything. Hmm, interesting.

No, really, it's true. We saw a trailer full of left feet pull up and unload during our visit.

Okay, on a serious note, this museum was all sorts of awesome. There were plenty of nicely prepared window exhibits such as this one.

Hi, Rick!

I think I remember mailing in four UPC codes and $5 for his G.I. Joe figure.....or something like that.

"Grizzly Adams DID have a beard."

Was there ever a guy more American than Teddy Ballgame? Seriously. The Man. Period.

Apparently one of the local colleges is in charge of excavating ancient artifacts left by the Spanish settlers on Parris Island.

The museum focused on the entire history of the region, which included plenty of Civil War stories. Unbeknownst to me before this visit, some very prominent figures of the time resided in Beaufort.

Robert Smalls had some serious stones. This guy was like the "Shaft" of the times.

"Any of you guys seen an aircraft carrier around here?"

"Mav, I think we got a problem up here. That Mig really screwed him up. I don't think he can make it back."

"You're okay, Cougar. Just stay on my wing, I'll take you all the way in."

Ever wonder how they got their logo?

And there ya go.

I gotta be honest, I always used to pronounce it the other way. Oops.

And I'll leave you with this for awhile.

The finale will be up later. Stay tuned.

larrygator · April 13, 2010

This house is called "The Castle" because when the tide comes in too far or the marsh is up, water comes around the house like a moat, thus making the house a "castle." See, some people listen to their guide.

Oh Snap!

Shannon FTW.

moinab · April 14, 2010

Beaufort has never really been on my radar, but we'll definitely keep it in mind as a potential getaway spot, now!

Not sure how I feel about attaching trash cans to sea turtles, though!

mcjaco · April 14, 2010

Oh, we still hit the beach, but you will not be seeing any bikini pics in this report.

This PTR fails.

Scott in a bikini would have awesome.

BeemerBoy · April 15, 2010

lol@ Larry. She tends to win a lot.

Maureen - Yeah, it'd be a fairly short drive up 95 for you guys. Definitely worth a visit.

Matt - I know. I had a great little one picked out in hopes of modeling for the next TPR calendar.

On to the final segment. In this part, if I don't have the energy to create an interesting caption, or just get bored, I'm simply gonna yell, "Semper Fi!" It's fitting, and it makes me sound like a Marine.....even though I'm not....and they could probably all whoop my ass pretty good.

Enjoy.

Anyone remember this ad? Well, that's the actual hat used in it.

And that's the story of it.

Okay, we were told that the male and female Marine recruits are separated for their entire stay at Parris Island. Apparently this mannequin didn't get the memo, as she's now modeling the "knocked up" Marine uniform.

Oh, and there's also an example of the old dress whites.

And thus, American Gladiators was born.

Semper Fi!!!!!

The current, and also the best uniform in the United States military....the "dress blues" of the Marines.

Hey kids, THEME PARK reference!!!

SEMPER FI !!!!!!!

A random look at the museum. Did I mention its awesomeness?

That flag is from Japan, which is also awesome; although not when we were busy dropping nukes on them.

To review, WWII Japan: not awesome. Current day Japan, complete with Disney parks: awesome.

An example of some of the great artifacts presented. I could've spent several more hours in here.

Okay, this is actually the example. I'm too lazy to delete the previous caption. SEMPER FI !!!!!

Everyone has seen this picture. If you're an American, and you haven't, then stop viewing this trip report, and go open a history book.....please.

Know you know. And knowing is half the battle. Yo, Joe!

Oddly enough, this side of the museum REALLY was a bit cooler. Seriously, the a/c seemed to be blowing stronger over there.

When I think of the Korean War, I don't imagine this image. But that's why I visit museums....to learn things.

Translation........

...DO NOT F*** with the owner of one of these.

Miniature war!!! Let's swoop in for a closer look.

People really were much smaller back then.

I'm not sure exactly what's happening here. My guess? Some tiny Asian folks are about to get FUBAR.

That is not a soda. Fact: Marines are tougher than you. They drink motor oil instead.

White guy: "This is my rifle. There are many others like it, but this one is mine. My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. Without me, my rifle is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless. I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than my enemy, who is trying to kill me. I must shoot him before he shoots me. I will. Before God I swear this creed: my rifle and myself are defenders of my country, we are the masters of our enemy, we are the saviors of my life. So be it, until there is no enemy, but peace. Amen."

Black dude: "Maaaaan, chill the f***, honkey."