Hunting Island State Park, St. Helena Island, South Carolina
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow Me.” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed Him. ~ Matthew 4:18-19 “At once”. Immediately. Instantly. They dropped what they were doing and walked away to follow Jesus. Who among us could do that? I feel it’s more likely that we’d be like the rich young man in Mark 10:17-23 who wanted the best of both worlds. How often we try to ride the fence with one leg dangling over on the world side and one on the godly side! Most of us have our own excuses for not following Him wholeheartedly. What is yours?
It’s just up the beach from the campground.
The boneyard.
What image does that conjure up for you?
Whatever your image, the truth is, it’s a flat, hard beach littered with dead trees and their remnants, brought about by the devastating effects of hurricanes and tropical storms. The plants are gone up to just beyond the tide line, but the sturdy trunks and limbs of the Live Oaks, Pines and Palms are still here.
And believe it or not, it forms a sort of magical feel when you first see it and then immerse yourself in it. maybe ‘magical’ isn’t the right word. These days it tends to lead us to places that involve mysticism, fairies, and New Age thoughts. Maybe ‘other worldly’ is better? At any rate, it was a pretty intriguing place. I hate it when I’m at a loss for descriptive words. 😊
Our day began with another stellar sunrise on the nearly deserted beach, provided by the Creator of all things Himself! And He even threw in a unique rainbow!
There it is!And look what it brought with it!
Since we drove to the boneyard today, we made a quick stop at a marsh boardwalk along the way. There were dead jellyfish in there! What a surprise! And it seemed very odd, because the actual Atlantic coast was a good distance away. It must’ve been some tide that carried these spinless creatures here. By the way, we discovered (thanks to Google Lens) that they’re cannonball jellyfish, and they’re not really harmful to humans. Good to know!
Good morning, St. Helena Island! See that fan sitting on the table? Several tent campers had fans up and running this morning, and it wasn’t because of the heat. Then why, you ask? Bugs! No-see-ums and mosquitoes! Ugh!! Once we got to the beach and the breeze, they disappeared.There was a trail beyond the boardwalkIt was so wide open in this area, it reminded us of the prairies out West! This one’s a whole lot wetter though! : )We tugged up the crab pot to see what was in it. Nothin’Just crazy!
After the marsh, we drove to the Visitor Center and parked then made our way on foot to The Boneyard.
At the back of the Visitor Center, there’s a long boardwalk, so we did that first.To the right, we could see a few of the houses on the private Fripp Island. A road turns into a bridge to the island, but there’s a gate house you have to stop at before they let you in.Starting our walk to The BoneyardWe came across this little guy, but he turned out to be camera shy.Did you notice the dead trees off in the distance? That’s part of The Boneyard.We’re not concerned . . . But I imagine coming across that sign would cause pause in some people, and maybe they’d even turn around . . .. . . But then they’d miss all this!Sculptured by natureEvidence of former civilization. Blaine says these are communication cables. There are more at the top of the picture.One of only a couple of brighter colored limbsThe end of the beach for us. You could wade through the river to the other side, but we didn’t.I know the trees are dead, but how do those exposed roots still hold them up?!?This is the edge of the erosion.This is the picture I took. I decided to make a few of them black and white.The opposite end of the beach from the ‘river’
Our walk along the beach took us down to the tip where we were surrounded by the ocean, and marsh. The Jeep was in sight, but there was no way to get to it, so we had to return the way we’d come, but not before we saw dozens of washed up cannonballs! The sight of so many on shore made us wonder just how many are floating around in these waters!
That’s the pier we were out on in the beginning.Seems one sand crab woke up to a surprise this morning! Every one of those ‘dots’ are jellyfish!Walking amongst the cannonballsWinding our way backHey! Look! Some color! : )We came to a path that led in the direction we needed to go.Well, there’s the bridge we crossed! Too bad we can’t get there from here! There’s a big soggy, marshy, mucky area between us and it. We had to turn around and walk the beach again.
Before we took off, we checked out the visitor center, which had walls covered in art! Someone did a lot of work in here! Wonderful!
Our final stop for today was the lighthouse. The inside is closed for repairs, but you could still tour the grounds.
This was interesting! They actually built this lighthouse to be dismantled and moved!Sure looks like a regular well, doesn’t it? : )They’ve laid bricks to show the foundation of the former house.You should be able to zoom in and read the information if you’re so inclined.This was information we didn’t remember ever reading before – not even when we visited that church a few years ago. One thing they don’t share is that these two lighthouses are two miles apart!We just don’t think about the lives of these very important men and their families. What a tough and dedicated breed they were!
It was a wonderful day, despite the overcast skies, which I happen to be happy about. Call me crazy, but I get tired of sun every single day. 😊
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” ~ Matthew 4:17 We learn here that Jesus began His ministry where John the Baptist left off when he was arrested and murdered (later) – – giving a message of repentance. We cannot know the salvation of Jesus without repentance. We must realize that we need saving before we can be saved (think similar to alcoholics). Jesus came to save us from ourselves. He came to save us for eternity. Paul tells us in I Timothy 1:15b “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”. Have you gone to Jesus for forgiveness and salvation? If not, what is holding you back? Jesus came to give us abundant life (John 10:10)!
Blaine began his day installing a new microwave we picked up at Lowe’s yesterday. Ours died the other day. He did a masterful job of researching, so the new one fit perfectly and the installation was a breeze – just a little heavy. 😊
Out with the old . . .
In with the new!
That’s good, because although his 77-mile drive wasn’t horrible, we didn’t go the way he originally intended. Just yesterday, he commented that he was glad he didn’t have to drive the motorhome through historic Savannah.
On the road again . . .
Guess what? The gps changed its mind and all of a sudden, he had no choice. Scary stuff! But at least traffic was moving at a slow pace, and we emerged with our side-view mirrors and other parts intact, although we had one really close call on the driver’s side mirror!
Heading into the heart of Savannah! It already looks scary!!Oh my! Sooo glad I’m not driving! It was even more scary when a semi came our way!Goodbye Savannah!We think we crossed into South Carolina, but there were no signs welcoming us.Another narrow road!!At least the traffic has thinned out nowWe’re here!
Only three more stops after this one and we’ll be home!
Oh my! Still more narrow – and this time curvy – roads! At least it’s one way!And then we had to sit and wait a while until this family got backed into their spot before we could wind our way around to our spot which was sorta kinda across from them and right by the entrance where we came in. : )
Since we arrived early in the day, we ate a quick early dinner, then took a walk on the beach before dinner.
We discovered all kinds of treasurers!
That’s a pine cone, but it was hard as shell!No idea, but it looks awesome, doesn’t it?In the middle, is what we’ve always called torpedoes. We learned here that the proper name is an Olive Shell. When they’re dark and shiny, it usually means there’s a critter living in it. The duller ones that you find on beaches contain no critters.Don’t freak out! It’s dead. : )We thought that was colored wire, but Blaine took a close look at it and said it wasn’t wire. And being a former electrician, he knows wire! : )Looks like those geodes we saw in Savannah! It’s actually all that’s left of a jellyfish.The end of the line for us, unless we want to swim across. : )This was furry feeling – like deer antlers before they shed.I spotted these things in amongst the rocks.As I searched the rocks more diligently, I discovered these things! I believe the previous picture was actually the top of one of these! If you look closely, you can see all those little ‘filaments’ curled up around the tops. Cool beans!This is a live Olive Shell crawling through the sand. Double cool!!!Did you recognize Sonic? Someone is quite the artist!
It was a fantastic first day on St. Helena Island!
When Jesus heard that John (the Baptist) had been put in prison, He returned to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, He went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali – to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah (9:1-2): ‘Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles – the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.’ ~ Matthew 4:12-16 Have you ever wondered why Jesus moved from Nazareth to Capernaum? Did you even realize that He did? It was many, many years before I discovered that! Anyway, not only was this move necessary to fulfill prophecy, but it was directly on the main thoroughfare between Damascus to the north and Egypt to the south. It was here that many people – Jew and foreigner alike came to buy, sell and trade. It was from here, people from all over would’ve had access to at least hearing about Jesus, and many probably saw Him at work, teaching and healing. By the way, based on Mark 2:1 and 9:33, scholars have concluded that Jesus lived/stayed in Peter’s house. How far would you go to hear/see Jesus? Today, we need look no further than our Bibles and our own hearts. We are so very blessed!
How apropos (why is there an ‘s’ at the end of that word???) that today’s scripture mentions John the Baptist, when we visited Savannah today and included a visit to The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist. When we were here in previous years, it wasn’t a Basilica, it seems that just happened in 2020. But more on that later.
Savannah was America’s first planned city, established in 1733 by British General James Oglethorpe. Or so I read. I don’t know how they can say that. There were plenty of cities planned in the New World before General Oglethorpe came along and laid out Savannah.
Oglethorpe’s plan
Some guy named Waldseemüller named the new lands “America” on his 1507 map in recognition of Vespucci’s understanding that a new continent had been uncovered following Columbus’ and subsequent voyages in the late 15th century. We’re talking late 1400’s. Remember “In fourteen hundred and ninety two Columbus sailed the ocean blue”?
In 1565, the Spanish founded St. Augustine. I’m pretty sure that turned into a city before 1733 since it’s been continuously occupied. And then of course, there was Jamestown in 1607 (I know it didn’t last, but still…) And if you look it up, there’s a whole list of others.
So, maybe what they mean is that it’s the first in Georgia?
Whatever the case, it’s a beautiful and very historic city. I could spend hour upon hour researching the history here! But I’m not going to. Sorry, you’ll have to do your own this time.
We didn’t spend today doing the ‘traditional’ things in town. Mostly, we just walked around and mailed a birthday card. It was a gorgeous day, with cooler, less humid temperatures and a light breeze and sunny skies.
So many beautiful streets in Savannah! We think it’s the Live Oaks.Someone’s courtyard we passed.We were surprised to find this dilapidated home right on one of the main squares! I wonder if anyone has plans to refurbish it??We discovered this sign as we were walking, but there doesn’t seem to be an old hospital here. Maybe the sign just marks the spot where it used to be?This is what’s sitting where the hospital sign was.This seems to be some type of decorative palm. Look at the wonderous flowers! Isn’t God incredible?!?Just a random home we walked by.Something else we happened across while we were headed to the Post Office . . .This is the building.This isn’t a monument to a particular man, despite having a man on top. It’s more of a monument to all who served in the Civil War.Forsyth Park seems to be the premier park of all the ones here in Savannah. It’s the one with the large fountain.
But we did make two interesting stops – the Basilica and the JW Marriott Hotel. Did that pique your interest? 😊
I’m going to allow you to check out the Cathedral Basilica’s own history page if you’re so inclined. Since it began in the late 1700s, there’s quite a bit. And quite a few rebuilds and renovations. The most recent one the volunteer docent at the church shared with us, cost over $14M. I don’t remember what year that was, but it wasn’t long ago.
https://savannahcathedral.org/church-history/
It’s one of those places where you see the outside and say, “Wow! That’s beautiful!” and then you step through the door and are speechless! It almost makes us Protestants want to take a knee and cross ourselves. It’s hard to imagine that a manmade thing could invoke that type of response, but it does. And that’s the purpose, we were told today. To make us feel awe and draw us in to our Creator God.
Wow!!! That’s beautiful!!HO-LY COW!!!! And we say that even though we’ve been in here before!The shape of everything tends to draw your eyes up, which is the point.The altar in the back is now just a piece of priceless art. When they suffered their devastating fire, that altar is one of the few things that survived, so they kept it, but now use the low, flat one in front.The docent told us some about these windows. After the fire, all but one had to be replaced. They were made overseas (Austria, I believe) and brought here. When they were made, the pieces were ‘plain’ colors, then an artist painted all the nuances on them with specialized paint. The purpose of the windows is to tell stories, because back in the day, many couldn’t read nor understand Latin. This one depicts Jesus’ ascension. The Twelve are surrounding him (although at least one looks awfully feminine). Their halos depict them as saints. The two red cherubs depict the guardians of heaven and as such, look very stern and serious. And God has His Arms outstretched to welcome Jesus back Home.This one is across the room from the previous one. It depicts Jesus’ mother, Mary when she died, and Jesus ready to place a crown on her head. We can’t remember who all the ladies are supposed to represent, but they all have halos, so they must be saints. Another fact we’ve never heard before – – In Catholicism, Mary always wears blue on her somewhere.This is a different shrine area, but we don’t know who/what it’s for.Among the many things we learned from the docent today is that, every single Catholic church is required to have the “Stations of the Cross” somewhere in the main area of the church. This was originally done because not every Catholic has access to Jerusalem where you can see and touch the path of Jesus. It’s also why they still do it today. The one here is now deemed priceless artwork.
Moving on from the Basilica . . . .
There’s a Wurlitzer Organ at The Akron Civic Theater back home! They bring it up from beneath the floor while the organist plays. Very cool! Wonder if they have that capability here?Another random discovery as we walked from the Basilica to the waterfront River Walk.This is the houseThese are the unusual downspouts that are all around the house.We’re just about to the River Walk now.It’s changed! They’ve fixed it all up in this portion and turned a former power plant into all sorts of shops, etc.These were street lights! Interesting!This is the sample of electric moons they kept. Also, see that caged-off pit? A guy was in there doing some type of electrical work. There were wires and stuff everywhere! Looked like a big ol’ mess to me, but Blaine seemed to have an idea of what he was doing. : )
I had mentioned to Blaine that I’d briefly seen a picture of the lobby of the JW Marriott downtown and thought it looked interesting, so when we walked by it on our River Walk, we stopped in to check it out.
This is just inside the door. Inside that tube (which was actually a former smoke stack), there was seating for private dining, but it was too dark to take a picture of it. I think if they close that door, I’d feel pretty claustrophobic!Interesting information on how they accomplished the private dining area!
It was nothing like the picture I’d seen, and it absolutely was nothing like we were expecting! It was, quite literally a museum full of outstandingly beautiful and very large geodes as well as prehistoric things. We ended up spending much more time here than just a quick peek at the lobby!
Oh wow! We were not expecting this!We took a few pictures, but there was soooo much more! And everything you see here, was waaay more awe-inspiring than any picture can show!You can read about these if you zoom in. : )This was a small bar. We didn’t take any other pictures because there were patrons sitting in front of stuff.In person, this looked like a 3D sculpture – a huge white waterfall, a brown mountain, and a green field! The next picture is the other half.This is one of their conference rooms. You can’t see it in the picture, but each light of each chandelier has amethyst (or something that looks just like it) surrounding it. Very classy!There were huge “pictures” like this one in all types of colors! Stunning! But no signs to tell you about them. : (This is the area where the crocodile skull was. You can see two mammoth tusks, among other artifacts. Many things in this small museum seemed to have come from Morocco.
Dinner was at a pizza place called Vinnie-Van-Go-Go’s (a play on Vincent Van Gogh’s name). It was recommended by the volunteer who checked us in when we arrived at Skidaway, was good, but not nearly as good as she hyped it up “fantastic New York style pizza!” She’s evidently never been to New York. 😊 Still, it was good and we took some home for another day. And it was so nice out, we were able to eat outside and people-watch.
This was across the street from the restaurant.A close-up of the window above the door
