Oak of Point South RV, Yemassee, SC (Mar 12- Mar 17, 2017, 2017)
Moved from the sunny warm Florida to stay a couple of days in Yemassee, SC. This is about an hour outside of Hilton Head. https://www.thousandtrails.com/south-carolina/the-oaks-at-point-south-rv/. It even was 29 degrees when we woke up on Mar 16. Brrr. (But rest of the east coast was digging out of a spring snow storm.)
We had to understand the term Lowcountry. “The Lowcountry (also known as the Low Country) is an area along the South Carolina coast that has a culture, geography, architecture, economy and even cuisine of their own.” “The town takes its name from the Native American tribe of the same name, the Yamasee, which was the most important Indian ally of South Carolina until the Yamasee War of 1715. The first attack that began the Yamasee War occurred in the Yamasee town of Pocotaligo, today part of the town of Yemassee. The site of the present town is surrounded by both Revolutionary and Civil War sites. The remains of Civil War field fortifications can be observed along U.S. 21 and 17A between Yemassee and Pocotaligo (that section of highway is now a part of Yemassee, as the town has now greatly expanded into Beaufort County [as of 2006]). As of 2006 there is a building boom underway in and around Yemassee. The rural aspect of Yemassee is now (as of 2006) beginning to disappear with the construction of large numbers of new homes and very large housing developments in the area.”
One of the big draws in this area was to go and find some Moonshine and you can do that at the Lucky Duck Distillery. http://www.luckyduckdistillery.com/ The owner, Chase, is using his grandfather’s recipe -which was probably made in the back room or behind the barn when he made it. 🙂
First we had lunch next door at the Fletcher’s Find Cafe, which was run by the owner’s mother. Good old fashion food. You will have to try the Sloppy Dog (hot d0g) and yes it is very sloppy. The mother then took us next door and let us try the Moonshine. Alcohol bases are corn whiskey and grain neutral spirits and depending on the flavor will run 65 to 100 proof. There were many options but we decided on tasting the Peanut Cup and Chocolate Royal- which we bought. Buying moonshine was fun and funny. Planning on setting up some drinks with family soon. Got pictures of the recipes so should be fun.
Before that, we were able to go to the Old Sheldon Church Ruins. “Sheldon Church is said to be the first conscious attempt in America to imitate a Greek temple. Built between 1745-1753, the ruins of the church still retain their classic simplicity. Surrounded by moss-draped live oaks, the original three-and-one-half foot thick colonnaded walls of Flemish bond and the four all-header bond portico columns remain, attesting to the solid construction and master craftsmanship which enabled it to withstand two conflagrations and over two hundred fifty years of existence. Complete by 1753, Sheldon Church was built along a row of seven Tuscan columns (six engaged, one outstanding). The western façade had an elegant portico, crowned by a triangular pediment with bulls-eye window and cornice with dentils. The large front doorway had a fanlight above and two round-headed windows, symmetrically spaced, on either side. On the north, five bays between the engaged columns were filled with a single tier of tall, round-headed windows; the other bay was left open for a portico. At the eastern end, above the alter, was a Palladian window, with a round-headed window to each side. Sheldon Church was burned by General Augustine Prevost’s British troops in May 1779. General Sherman’s 15th Corps under General John Logan burned Sheldon Church on January 14, 1865 and it was never rebuilt. Marble sarcophagi in the churchyard bear the names of South Carolina leaders. Listed in the National Register October 22, 1970.
Gravestones surround the entire Church. There is even a gravestone for the caretaker and his family. The gravestones are not in the best condition and because of their age you can barely read what they say – if you can at all. It was sad to see that these were not taken care of. With this being on the National Registry, we expected better care.
