Sullivan's Island Sunset

Another dramatic seaside sunset.

Sailboats

It was a lovely evening for watching all the sailboats out on the water the other night.

Sailing looks so peaceful, slow and relaxing!

"Its a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.."--well, if you like rain! I do!

Goodness gracious wasnt that a nice big gully-washer that swooped through this afternoon?

We stopped to watch a soccer game over at Hampton Park, in full swing despite the thunder, heavy downpour, and lightning!

There was a lovely rainbow here, barely visible in the photo. See it? Sure was pretty!

Rainwashed Hampton Park

Riding the waves in the streeet y'all!

It was a soaking wet day.

Well, speaking of those bottle trees...

I've photographed quite a few of these curiously lovely bottle trees all around the Lowcountry.
Here are some of my favorites:

I happened on this one last December during the Christmas season, in downtown Charleston.

What I love about this one is the variety of colors used, not just all blue. Not that I dont love the "completely cobalt" ones as well!

I spotted this one last Fall, also downtown:

I love how it is so thick with bottles---there are so many on it! And the color---the peircingly deep shade of blue, blue, blue!

Spotted this lovely one right near the state line this summer! It sits at Frampton Plantation House, which is a Lowcountry Visitors Center located at US 17/I95----exit 33 off the highway.

They even posted a sign near their bottle tree with the legend on it:

This is a lovely and interesting place to spend an afternoon! John Frampton built the house in the 1700s and it was later destroyed by Sherman in 1865. Cotton planter Frampton re-built a smaller version of the original home in 1868.

The grounds are lovely and relaxing, a large tinkling fountain, picnic tables for a snack or lunch and huge moss laden live oaks. The one in the front of the home is over 300 hundred years old.

The  home now serves as a Visitor's Center and is full of unique displays of antique clothing, Civil War artifacts, baskets, and memorabilia.

The gift shop is full of everything from homemade ciders, honeys and jams to historical items, jewelry, candles and books, as well as the basic souvineer items like t-shirts, maps, postcards, and mugs.

They are open 7 days a week from 9-5.

Finishing up with just one more I spotted in Mount Pleasant----

So....what do YOU think about bottle trees? Do you have one? Does your neighbor? What's your favorite color one? Do you find them as charming as I do?



Its Summertime in Summerville

Visiting the quaint little town of Summerville, South Carolina this week we came upon this bottle tree sparkling in the sun with it's cobalt blue bottles. It's situated where three streets (East Carolina, West Carolina, and Tupper Lane) come together and create a single intersection called "Five Points".

(below- trees heavy with hot pink summer blooms, in full bloom in the park)

Downtown scenes:

Check out the fun zebra wearing her tutu! She lives in the window at TIP TAP TOE dance studio

Lets go Window Shopping

Historic Drug Store. They even have an old fashioned working soda fountain! Dont see too many of those any more

(above) love the black and white floor tiles at the entrance to the store!

Frothy pink creations at the Ginger Snaps childrens shop

LOVE THIS LAMP!

MORE BOTTLE TREES

Can you spot the lone COKE botttle amongst all the others?

Fiery Sullivan's Sunset

Dog Day Swim

These swimmers were out catching a few refreshing waves on Sullivan's Island! Looks like they had a great time!