traveling with my bwuhs

A Bittersweet Farewell to Beaufort
The final day of our weekend getaway to Beaufort was a little bittersweet. As much as we were ready to get home to Barkley, none of us were quite ready for the adventure to end. Still, we made the most of our last few hours—and even squeezed in a bit more fun before hitting the road.

Chasing Boots on the Lowcountry Boot Trail
In my first post about this trip, I mentioned the Lowcountry Boot Trail, and we finally got to dive into it on Sunday morning. Officially called The Watermen’s Wave Lowcountry Boot Trail, this creative art installation is part of a project by the Beaufort Area Hospitality Association. It features large, painted boots scattered throughout Beaufort County, each uniquely decorated by local artists. The boots honor the region’s Watermen—crabbers, fishermen, and others who’ve long shaped life in the Lowcountry.

What started as a curiosity became a full-on scavenger hunt. Boy2 spotted the first set near the Waterfront Park on day one, and then another, and another… Soon we were hooked. I looked it up and learned there are twelve boots in total. Challenge accepted. By Sunday morning, we were on a mission—and we found every single one!

We headed to the Visitor’s Center at The Armory to turn in our completed trail, but unfortunately, it was closed. Oh well—guess we have to go back! We’ll bring our boot photos and claim our prize next time.

A stop at the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park
Right across from The Armory is a site that’s part of the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, a must-visit for history buffs. It’s one of the newer additions to the National Park System and commemorates the post-Civil War period when newly freed African Americans shaped their own futures.

Although I forgot our National Park passport books (even after reminding myself to bring them!), we were able to grab the handy white sticker stamps for later. Genius idea. We also picked up a few thoughtful souvenirs, including COMBEE: Harriet Tubman, the Combahee River Raid, and Black Freedom during the Civil War by Pulitzer Prize-winner Edda L. Fields-Black. I’m really looking forward to diving into those stories. There are two more sites included in this national park designation, and visiting them is officially on our Beaufort bucket list.

Breakfast at Griddle & Grits in Port Royal
In between boot-hunting, we stopped for a late breakfast at Griddle & Grits, located right next to the beautiful Cypress Wetlands. The restaurant is tucked inside an old schoolhouse, complete with chalkboards where guests leave messages and notes from all over the country. It’s cozy and full of charm.

We were lucky to get seated right away, and the food didn’t disappoint: I had the Pancake Griddle Breakfast, Hubs went for the French Toast Griddle, and the boys ordered the Kids’ French Toast. Everything was absolutely delicious—fluffy pancakes, rich French toast, perfectly cooked bacon and sausage. A sweet ending to a great trip.

A quiet detour to the Old Sheldon Church Ruins
On our way out of town, we took a slight detour to the Old Sheldon Church Ruins. This hauntingly beautiful site dates back to the 1700s. The original church was destroyed during the Revolutionary War, rebuilt, and then burned again during the Civil War. Now, only the brick walls remain, surrounded by massive live oaks and centuries-old gravestones. It’s quiet, moving, and full of stories.

image credit: traveling with my bwuhs

Until next time, Beaufort
In just three days, we covered so much ground in Beaufort—and all on less than one tank of gas! A refreshing change from our usual long-haul trips.

We’re already dreaming about our return: walking shoes, bathing suits, another visit to the Armory Visitor’s Center (with boot pics in hand), maybe even a ghost tour or another golf cart adventure. There’s still so much to see and do in this charming Lowcountry gem.

❤ Jen