Magnolia Plantation * FT. Sumter * Charlston

We had one busy day today!  We stared out visiting the Magnolia Plantation.  It was one of the destinations Hailey had picked and she really loved it.  We all loved it!  We got their early enough that they had just fed the animals in the petting zoo, so they were mostly active and about because it was still cool.  I fell in love with the deer, they were very friendly.  One even licked my hand and let me pet it like a dog.  We saw peacocks, goats, pigs, geese, an albino squirrel and an albino raccoon.  It was really cool! The billy goat loved to have his head scratched right behind his horn.  We got some amazing pictures and hopefully will be able to post some if the wifi here at the campground cooperates.

We walked the whole garden, it was truly beautiful.  The colors of the flowers were so bright and lush.  The ponds were pretty and filled with wildlife.  We saw and heard frogs, alligator, birds, and fish.  I can only imagine how incredible how it looks in spring when it is in full bloom.  We have decided, since the girls liked it so much, that this spring we will go to the gardens near home. 

After that tour we drove to Fort Sumter….. Well what we thought was Fort Sumter for the tour we booked back in February.   Luckily we were early; because we found out we were in the wrong place and had to backtrack to the pier where the boat tour left from.  Luckily, we were able to make our departure time.  It was a nice boat ride, and the tour was interesting.  Our guide Ranger Antione, was very funny, and even roped Maddie in to the trivia game he was leading.  The fort itself was pretty amazing, walking around a fort that was over 300 years old with the cannons, and artillery that had been there since before the Civil War.  We even got to see the flag that was raised after the Confederate Army was defeated.  Pretty cool stuff!

After we got hack from the cruise, we met up with Doug’s Aunt and Uncle again.  This time we went to downtown Charleston.  We went through the markets, ate some fried okra, saw some cool artisan baskets and other crafts.  Then we went to Bubba Gump Shrimp Company for dinner.  It was a good meal and great conversation.  We topped it off with ice cream from Ben and Jerry’s and a trip to the candy store so I could get some pralines.

We ended our evening with a dip in the campgrounds pool.  It was a great way to cool down from a hot and sweaty 88 degree day.  Now everyone is tired as we all chill before heading off to bed.  Tomorrow we head to North Carolina.