Angel Oak Tree on Johns Island, South Carolina

“Trees are sanctuaries. Whoever knows how to listen to them, can learn the truth.”

Herman Hesse

The Lowcountry in South Carolina is a beautiful place to see. It has that feel that you are near the ocean even when you are still miles from the beach. Much of the forest has a swampy look and many of there are lots trees that have Spanish moss clinging to them. There are small country churches gracing the scenery and many farms and pastures. We passed through quite a few small town with some seemed to be thriving while others appeared to be struggling for survival. The Lowcountry looks very different than any other part of the state and gives South Carolina a uniqueness that brings many tourist here.

We drove over the Stono River (Intracoastal Waterway) on the John F. Limehouse Memorial Bridge to Johns Island and drove past a steady of cars coming from the other direction. We turned onto Angel Oak Road and parked on the side of a small back road with many other cars. We walked through the gates and into Angel Oak Park which is now owned by the city of Charleston. There is no admission price to see this amazing tree but donations are much appreciated to help the city maintain this property.

The tree is stunning and its size will take your breath away when you see the size and beauty of this magnificent tree. There is much debate on the age of this tree. Most say it is at least 400 – 500 years old but some have said this tree could be as old at 1,500 years old. Just imagine if this tree could speak. What stories it could tell.

We were in awe of this tree. The more you walk around it and look at the size and it’s beauty the more mystified we became. It is one of God’s wonderful creations and one that has brought joy to so many people. People have come to visit this tree for centuries and today was no different.  There  were plenty of people here today as we walked around the property.  

The Oak tree stands 66.5 feet tall and has a circumference of 28 feet. The largest branch reaches out 187 feet long. It shades an area of 17,200 square feet. It is said that during the segregation, black families would come here and picnic under its shade. They believed this tree was sacred and everyone respected this tree.

Maritime trees are shorter than the normal trees so they can withstand the forceful winds coming from the coast. That forces them to grow outward instead up upwards. This magnificent live oak is known as Quercus Virginiana in technical terms.

Johns Island is just south of Charleston, South Carolina and is an easy drive from there. The land where the Angel Oak stands was part of Abraham Waight’s 1717 land grant. The name Angel Oak comes from the estate of Justis Angel and his wife, Martha Waight Tucker Angel.

The Angel Oak has had some damage in past years from hurricanes and now is propped up in places to help support some of the longer limbs. The Angel Oak has healed from most of the damage from those storms and is still standing strong and proud. Looking up into the tree, you can see beautiful ferns and moss growing on some of the limbs.

There are stories of sightings of Angels in the tree at night. I am sure this tree does have its Angels around it to protect it. There was talk of developing the land adjacent to this landmark but the citizens fought it and won.  They said that the development would alter the ground water flow to the tree and may damage it. The city bought an additional 17 acres across from the tree. So the tree really does have Angels all around it protecting it.

Joe standing in front of the Angel Oak so you can see the size of the trunk.

This tree is a treasure and is not to be missed if you are in the Charleston area. This tree is the 210^th tree to be registered. They have a nice gift shop to visit also while you are there with great prints of this tree.   Go and see why this tree is so special.

The Oak Tree

By Johnny Ray Ryder Jr

A mighty wind blew night and day.

It stole the Oak Tree’s leaves away.

Then snapped its boughs

and pulled its bark

until the Oak was tired and stark.

But still the Oak Tree Held its ground

while other trees fell all around.

The weary wind gave up and spoke,

“How can you still be standing Oak?”

The Oak Tree said, I know that you

can break each branch of mine in two

carry every leaf away,

shake my limbs and make me sway.

But I have roots stretched in the earth

growing stronger since my birth.

You’ll never touch them, for you see

they are the deepest part of me.

Pon Pon Chapel of Ease Ruins, Jacksonboro, South Carolina

“We are all naturally seekers of wonders. We travel far to see the majesty of old ruins, the venerable forms of the hoary mountains, great waterfalls, and galleries of art. And yet the world’s wonder is all around us; the wonder of setting suns, and evening stars, of the magic springtime, the blossoming of the trees, the strange transformations of the moth.

Albert Pike

We were driving through the South Carolina countryside loving the roads less traveled and seeing all the farms with the cows, goats, mules, and horses grazing in the pastures. There were many babies amongst them staying close to their mommas. We enjoyed seeing the lovely country churches that were scattered throughout the landscape. While driving down a small country road, we were surprised by six deer running across the road to safety right in front of us. It was a beautiful site. We also enjoyed seeing a field loaded with turkeys moseying around. South Carolina is a beautiful state that is so wide open and with so much beauty to see from the mountains to the sea. We now are in the lowcountry section which is lovely with cypress swamps and lots of open space.

We saw the sign for Pon Pon Ruins and turned to go see this historic site. Pon Pon is an Indian phrase that means “big bends” which was a reference to the settlement that was built along the Edisto River. The Edisto River was sometimes known as the Pon Pon River. We pulled up in front of the gate at the entryway but we saw no historic markers there which we thought was odd. There were signs saying to respect the ruins and to visit only in the daylight. We walked around the path on the side of the gate and headed towards this brick ruins that looked like a building that belongs in Texas.

Joe and I wandered around this treasure in complete isolation with not a sound except for the birds chirping and wind whipping through the trees. The facade of the church ruins are now supported by steel beams that have been installed. That is because in 1959 a hurricane toppled much of the remaining structure leaving only two walls still in place. It is now roped off to protect the structure. We walked around the grounds looking at the sacred ancient cemetery where they continued to bury people even after the church became a ruins. A couple of notable people buried here at the ruins include Congressman Aedanus Burke and O’Brien Smith. We spotted a cistern to the rear of the property.

The first church built here in 1725 was a wooden church and was built as a Chapel of Ease to accommodate those in the parish that could not make to the parish church in Charleston. It served as one of the two churches serving St. Bartholomew’s Parish after the Yemassee War in 1715. The Assembly of the Providence of South Carolina allowed this church to be built here as both a Chapel of Ease and a parish which was unique in South Carolina. The reason why they allowed it to be both is they never built the parish church. This church was made noteworthy as John Wesley, the founder of Methodism preached in this wooden building twice on April 24, 1737. In 1754, a brick chapel was built to replace the wooden one. This church burnt down in 1801 and became known as the “Burnt Church.” It took the community twenty years to rebuild this church after the fire. The new church was completed between 1819 – 1822.

Then in 1832, the new church was destroyed by fire or another devastating event and was never rebuilt. Parts of the church are still standing as a memory of yesteryear. The original building was one story high and was at least three bays wide and five bays long. To understand what a bay is, it is considered to be the space between columns or roof trusses. It featured rounded arch windows and door opening and two Oculus windows on the front of the church with a rounded roof line. The Colleton County Historical and Preservation Society is hoping to add a parking lot and a walking path to Issac Haynes burial site. He was a prominent American since he was a Captain of artillery and at the same time a state senator. He was executed by the British during the American War of Independence in Charleston on August 4, 1781.

We enjoyed this stop and its peaceful setting. I would love to have seen this church in its prime. If you are in the Jacksonboro area, this is worth the stop.

Take US 17 to Jacksonboro and take a left at SC 64 W at the light. At 2.2 miles take a right onto Jacksonboro Road and right onto Parkers Ferry Road. The ruins are near the corner. You will see a gate with the ruins right behind it.

Beaufort, South Carolina

“My favorite thing about touring is the new towns and new faces every day.”

Dustin Lynch

Today’s exploring took us to the beautiful, historic Sheldon Church Ruins and then onto the interior sea island town of Beaufort, South Carolina. This is a lovely picturesque and historic town that is the second oldest town in South Carolina just after Charleston. Beaufort was chartered in 1711 and at one time flourished as a shipbuilding center and later was established as a slave society.

Beaufort is located on Port Royal Island in the sea islands of South Carolina and there are loads of gorgeous historic antebellum architecture to gaze upon while strolling down the streets and paths. This is the land of the military with so many military bases near here including Parris Island, the Marine Corps Air Station, and the US Naval Hospital.

We first walked along the Beaufort River in the lovely Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. The park has brick paths to walk around with a beautiful green space between the paths. Along the river is a beautifully ornate brick walkway with swings and benches to sit on and enjoy the glorious view of the river and marsh. You may even catch a glimpse of the drawbridge opening and see the yachts coming by right in front of you. What a great way to relax and enjoy the day.

We walked through the park and enjoyed watching children play and just seeing people walking around, relaxing, and enjoying the beautiful day and the park. Along one side of the park are many restaurants with wonderful views and outside seating areas. Today was just a little too cold to sit outside but we were still tempted. We decided on going to Luther’s Restaurant which ended up being a nice choice. They had a nice menu and the food was great. It felt wonderful resting before more walking and exploring the town.

After lunch we went back to back to the park and strolled around some more. There are beautiful features of this park like the Veterans Memorial Section and a section in the park that has plaques with have the history of Beaufort printed on them that I called the circle of history section.  Palmetto trees grace this park also giving it a tropical feel.

After our stroll near the water, we headed away from the riverfront to see the Arsenal. The downtown historic area is lovely to walk with many interesting shops and restaurants to visit. Walking down the narrow streets and under the moss covered trees, it was a joy seeing all the beautiful homes with fabulous architecture.

The Arsenal is a very fascinating looking building that does stand out in the historic neighborhood. This was once the home of the Beaufort Volunteer Artillery which was organized back in 1775 and was the fifth oldest military unit in the United States. The Volunteer Artillery Company served valiantly during the Revolutionary War and then again in the Civil War when they served in the Battle of Port Royal. It was constructed in 1799 and was built of brick and tabby and later rebuilt in 1852.

The Arsenal now has a visitors center and museum inside. The museum doesn't have that much in it except plaques that explain the history and some small relics.   I still found it interesting.  The best part of the Arsenal is the court yard and design of the building. It was an interesting place to visit.

Beaufort is a wonderful town to visit with much to see. We will be back to see more another time. Till next time.