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April 2002 Photo Archive Middleton Plantation Charleston, SC. April 21, 2002 The Middleton Plantation is located in Charleston. We took a carriage ride around the grounds prior to entering the plantation. Part of it went through bamboo fields used to isolate the plantation. On the ride we saw a Eagle's nest. After the carriage ride we entered the plantation and walked around the mirror pond. There was swans in the pond and one of the females hatched little ones and were protecting the babies. As you walked in the main gate you crossed over the original stair case to the mansion after it was burned down during civil war. This was the view from the front porch of the mansion prior to being burnt down. The grounds leading down to the river. The river was the main way of travel back then. The gentleman quarters was then used as the main house. A courting bench. The boy and girl would sit at each end and bounce towards the center. The 1741 plantation chapel on the second floor and the spring house in the basement. The spring house was used to keep dairy products good. Part of the grounds. The gardens were very colorful Dale standing by the oldest oak tree. 85 feet tall, circumference of over 37 feet, and a limb spread of 145 feet. Some of the flowers in the garden. Spring and summer is here The pasture out the back of the house The Rice mill View from the mill Walking towards the azalea trail On the trail Eliza's house. In 1870 as a two family dwelling for freed slaves. Inside the house The bedroom Magnolia Plantation Charleston, SC. April 20, 2002 Magnolia Plantation is one of the many antebellum plantation in Charleston. The nature train took you around the out area of the plantation. The many alligators in the area. The marsh land areas All along the plantation were several marsh areas. Also the flooded rice fields no longer used. The slave houses. One of the slaves houses was last lived by a descendant up to 1991. A raised floor was not common. Down the trail on the nature train. We then took the Nature boat and seen the wild life and rice fields close up. From the bow of the boat. Some of the birds The Great blue heron The double-crested Cormorant drying his wings in the sun to fly since they lack the waterproof oils. The house tour showed the final plantation house that was built after the civil war burning. The many fine silver and china. The typical place settings. The study area. One of the bed had a netting coiled in a gathering that was released by removing the center piece. One of the beds. The summer bed had no headboard to give cross ventilation in the room. On the grounds there were many gardens. The reflection pond under the bridge was used for many of pictures taken. Another bridge  The flowers were already over in full bloom, but it was still very nice. Dale standing by a tree that had a bench built in to it for seating along the garden. Another view of a flower. The Drayton tombs of the previous owners. Part of the grounds. Enjoying several of the flowers in the following pictures. Even the yellow jackets were enjoying the flowers. A squirrel was in the tree along the garden. Looking down the path of one of the gardens. The paths led to many gardens to see. Turtles in the pond near the statue. The front meadows had horses in the field. The biblical garden. With the star of David. The cross Doves were in the tropical garden Also quail North Carolina Battleship Wilmington, NC. April 14, 2002 The Battleship North Carolina located in Wilmington lets you walk the decks of a 1941 battleship. Denny's foot gives the comparison of one chain link for the anchor. In the museum prior to the ship you looked at stories about the ship. This cabinet had the layout of the floors of the ship. A close up of the layout plans in each drawer. The captains desk of the ship. After the museum you walked up to the ship. The entrance part of the 16 inch gun turret. It was very difficult for Denny to stand up. It must of been a requirement to be short. The inside of one of the 16 inch gun turret. They say that the outside air would be shut off to avoid lethal gases from the enemy bombs. The close area's they had to work in. The heat would build up and the men sweat would become inch deep during battle on the floor. Dale on the top deck. The flag from the ship over looking downtown Wilmington. There was a King fisher Float plane used to give coordinates of enemy ships. And also used to recover pilots shot down. Some more examples of other guns on board (20mm guns). Crew's Quarters. No ventilation made it very hot. Mattresses were taken up on deck to air out from sweat. One of the views of the kitchen. The North Carolina would prepare a meal for 2,100 men in one hour. The bread storing area. Cockroaches were so bad that it was important to check for parts of the bread for bugs or raisins. Part of restrooms No privacy for the toilets. A lot of the time the laundry personal, cobbler, and dentist slept in the rooms they worked in. The cobbler area. The dentist area The laundry room The barber shop.  The operating room on sickbay The engine room consisted of several floors. One of the many panels operating the engines. Showing the levels of flooring by grids looking down the room The rudder room shows how they would control the rudders if the hydraulics went out Dale checking out the engine room The pipe marking to identify the engine room pipes This showed the powdered room and how they would load up the conveyer belts of powder to the gun turrets. The loads for the 16 inch turrets Denny standing by them to show the size. The Combat information center. Another angle shows how many men would of been in the room. Another part of the area. The ship had to be monitored on its level for the guns to fire while moving. Another interesting area is how they connected the areas for emergency power if damaged. The wire was coiled in the middle. At each end of the room had a junction box that let you plug the wire in it to get power to the next room in a emergency. Example of wires plugged in. Dale listening to some information others were talking about at the Bridge. The conning tower Showing the thick walls to protect the ships gunnery officer to control the guns. Showing the instruments in the Conning tower. Admiral's quarters. The battleship displaying the medals it earned at being the highest decorated battleship for that time. The bow of the ship with the anchor. Another angle. Hugh Macrae Park, Wilmington, NC April 13, 2002 Hugh Macrae Park is located in Wilmington and the park was a little hide away with spring flowers all around. The bridge in the park Another angle of the park Close up of the pond Benches were all through the park to enjoy the flowers. Some of the spring flowers. Another view Close up Dale is enjoying the flowers. Another close up. Different ducks through the park. Not camera shy that's for sure. Mallard ducks Great shot of the flowers, pond, and bridge. Dale taking a rest among the flowers. It is a must see, while you are in Wilmington. It was becoming dusk so we had to leave. Another picture as the park lights turned on. Downtown Wilmington, NC April 13, 2002 Downtown Wilmington was a little historic area with small shops and excellent sea food restaurants. Looking down the street. The pier along the river A small cafe surrounded with flowers One of the unique houses downtown. Southern Pines, NC April 6-7, 2002 We traveled a 2 1/2 hour drive to see Dale's cousin (Mark) she hasn't seen in over 20 years. His wife Paulette joined us. Mark and Dale by our motorhome. Mark and Paulette took us on drive to see Southern Pines. The flowers were in full bloom. It is also the golf capital of the USA. Dale spotted some flowers and we stopped to get our sights and smells in. Azalea's, Dogwood's and Hysteria were in full bloom Another view of the Azalea's Dale getting a good smell of the Wisteria. (Correct me on the spelling of the flower if wrong) Another view Dogwood tree close up The Pinehurst Hotel. The famous #2 golf course where all the celebrities come to play. Paulette and Dale walking to the entrance. Mark was showing us the sitting area around the long porch surrounding the hotel. Flowers every where.  Inside the hotel Another view of the lobby and entrance. Paulette and Mark had a cup of high noon tea. We then went to the town of Pinehurst and had fish and chips at a local pub Mark took us to. Lily's in full bloom. The next morning Dale's other cousin Grace with her father Sam joined us for breakfast at Shoney's. Sam and his son Mark. Once again Paulette and Dale. Sam then had us come over to see his place of business. Mark showing us how his father's business reconditions saddles and makes other items out of leather. We had a wonderful time and the chance to meet distance relatives is one of the many advantages to this lifestyle. "May we all meet again in our future travels" Return to 2002 photo archive