Boone Hall Plantation, Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, USA

In 1743, the southern live oak trees at Boone Hall Plantation were planted, arranged in two evenly spaced rows on the approach to the house. The spectacular result is visible today and will stay in your memory for a long time to come. (Picture the scene from the movie "Forrest Gump" when Forrest is running down the long driveway being chased by his schoolmates and Jenny says, "run Forrest run." The movie wasn't filmed here but it's the same basic look.) It took more than two centuries for these massive, Spanish moss-draped branches to meet overhead, forming today's natural corridor. Boone Hall is also one of America's oldest working, living plantations. They have been continuously growing and producing crops for over 320 years.

The Avenue of Oaks

Outside the Avenue of Oaks.

Another live oak elsewhere on the property, adjacent to the marsh/river.

And in the gardens - poppies.....

.....and daffodils already blooming in mid-February.

One of the more aloof horses.

Two of the more friendly horses.

 Seated in front of a former slave cabin, a presentation about the Gullah people is conducted by Bob who is assisted by an audience member in demonstrating a typical rhythm to which the slaves would work at a consistent pace. Gullah is a language, a culture, and a people living in the lowcountry coastal region of South Carolina and Georgia. The Gullah trace their roots to the slave ships from western Africa in the 17-1800's. 

Boone Hall Plantation, Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, USA

The majestic Southern Live Oaks (Quercus Virginiania) and adjacent horse pasture run parallel to the entrance road to Boone Hall plantation.

If I could just get a horse to stand by the railing and hang his/her head over the fence........where's Mr. Ed when you need him?

Looking through the gate near the main house, the Avenue of Oaks dramatically lines the entrance to Boone Hall plantation.

Today, Gullah is a language, a culture, and a people living in the lowcountry coastal region of South Carolina and Georgia. They trace their roots to the slave ships from western Africa in the 17-1800's. The presenter shown above, Jacqui, provided a powerful rendition of Gullah experience for visitors to the Boone Hall plantation.

This slave cabin is typical of the 27 that were built on the plantation during the years of slavery. Usually 15 persons lived in such a building. Most slave cabins on other plantations , unlike these, were built of wood, lacked windows, and had dirt floors.

Bricks were also a product of the Boone Hall plantation in addition to crops such as rice, indigo, and cotton - all based on the labor of slaves.

Sweetgrass baskets are popular local products.  They are handmade mostly by descendants of the Gullah people.



Boone Hall Plantation, Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, USA

In 1743, the southern live oak trees at Boone Hall Plantation were planted, arranged in two evenly spaced rows on the approach to the house. The spectacular result is visible today and will stay in your memory for  a long time to come. (Picture the scene from the movie Forrest Gump when Forrest is running down the long driveway being chased by his schoolmates and Jenny says, "run Forrest run."  It wasn't filmed here but it's the same basic look.) It took two centuries for these massive, Spanish moss-draped branches to meet overhead, forming today's natural corridor. Boone Hall is also one of America's oldest working, living plantations. They have been continuously growing and producing crops for over 320 years.

This view is the side of one line of the trees away from the roadway.  Although I do not want to glorify anything from those days of slavery, the enduring beauty of these trees is still worthy of remark.

Let's sit a spell and chat on the front porch rockers.

This little lizard was hanging out on this 1923 Farmall tractor.

This cotton boll had just split open - roughly 4-5 months after planting.

This cotton boll is fully open and ready for picking and turning into our clothing.

And after a hard day being a tourist in the hot sun, what does a vegan have for dinner?  Roasted vegetables with whole wheat pasta and fire-roasted tomatoes and white beans.

And for an extra helping of antioxidants, a glass of California red wine, 2010 Malbec.  I think I can get used to this retirement lifestyle if I just keep practicing at it.