A road trip is the best prescription for cabin fever.
Middleton Place Plantation on Ashley River Road in Charleston, South Carolina, is one of my favorite destinations for an all day outdoor visit. My husband and I took our daughter there in February when the camellias were in full bloom. I splurged and bought the all inclusive ticket that includes a house tour, carriage ride, and full access to the grounds. We started at 1:00 pm with the thirty minute buggy ride pulled by two large draft houses that looked like they were wearing white fringed boots. I imagined that we were visitors coming to call back in the 1800s. Our guide was delightful and full of historic information about the Middleton family, but I must admit that the lurching of the carriage was uncomfortable on the dirt roads. I would not have done well traveling all the way from Charleston by horse and buggy.
We arrived at the door in time for the final house tour of the day. A dozen guests entered the main room that was full of portraits from three generations of family who resided at the house. The furnishings were Early American and the artifacts were ornate belongings that suggested the wealth of the family that ran a rice plantation with the help of slaves. We all tromped up wooden stairs to see the bedrooms and the portraits of two more generations who have kept the plantation in the family for decades. The original house was destroyed in the “War of Northern Aggression.” After the soldiers enjoyed the lodging and the benefit of the farm animals, everything was burned when they left. The expense of refurbishing prohibited a complete renewal, but what remains today is lovely.
The serene atmosphere invites a walk among meticulously kept gardens. We saw every color and variety of camellias along pebbled walkways. Statuary and azaleas drew us deeper into private hideaways that created the perfect place to steal a kiss. The stroll down to the river features a tiered lawn and a small area of marsh still used to experiment with planting Carolina Gold rice. If you choose to visit in the summer on a hot day, be aware that there are 63 varieties of mosquitoes in low country. Do not wear perfume, and do bring a little repellent with you to prevent yourself from becoming the main meal.
The stable yard was fascinating; it currently houses a blacksmith, cooper, and weaver. They dress in period costumes and demonstrate the skills that were critical to maintaining life so far from the city. There is a flock of twenty sheep that are allowed to roam free in the front grassy yard, and people may walk among them even though the sheep trot away. The animals in the pen include goats, hens, and water buffalo as well as horses for the buggy rides.
A wonderful restaurant is available for lunch and serves traditional Southern Fare. On a previous visit, we dined on Hoppin’ John and fried green tomatoes. It is certainly worth arriving in the morning so you have time to experience everything. The usual schedule of events includes storytelling and demonstrations throughout the day. Some get a chance to try their skill at hammering iron with the blacksmith or combing wool to spin into yarn.
At the end of our day we had the pleasure of watching the shepherd retrieve the sheep from the meadow and guide them to their pen. All but one came quickly. The one stubborn sheep stood like a stern old lady in an oversized fur coat. I tried to help by walking toward her, but she took off toward another guest who was standing at the fence petting the goats. The sheep galloped as though it might head butt the unsuspecting woman. It stopped suddenly right behind her and stuck its nose in her purse. The shepherd nabbed her before an unfortunate incident occurred.
We finished our tour with a look inside a small house dedicated to the history of the slaves. There was a ledger that listed all of them by name and number. Life was brutal then, and the Civil War made it more so. Those who fought and survived to tell the stories are critical to our understanding the past. It is important to learn about the history of a place and see that humanity has an evolving journey through a variety of experiences.
Many of us have been working from home for eight weeks or more. We long for the days when we can go to places of interest without the fear of being exposed to a deadly virus. Vacations, sporting events, and festivals are cancelled until we get the news for safe travel. We will have to be careful and creative in the way we emerge from our unexpected hibernation. Restaurants, churches, and larger gatherings may be off limits for me. I plan to be flexible and start with outdoor destinations where there are no crowds. Until then, my husband and I will play Adam and Eve in our own garden and will try to stay out of trouble.
