After some last minute repairs to the boat we were on our way. As we headed toward the Georgetown light, members mingled, sharing photographs, hobbies and lighthouse adventures. We were given a history of the various locations along the way by Captain Vermont and learned a little about how the Civil War affected the area. Once arriving at the Georgetown light, the Plantations Cruises crew beached the boat, lowered the gangplank and we scrambled ashore, snapping pictures as we went. The tower was opened so we quickly climbed the 124 steps to the top and got a look at the fourth order fresnel lens. The current tower was rebuilt in 1867 after it was damaged, although the date above the door is 1811. Wildlife researchers now use the buildings around the base of the light. Many pictures and sandspurs (ouch, they hurt!!) later, the group reassembled along the beach as the boat pulled back in to pick us up.

As we cruised toward Cape Romain, we settled down to lunch and were treated to a presentation of the South Carolina lighthouses by Rudy Kagerer, author of A Guidebook to Lighthouses in North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida’s East Coast. He told us the history of the lights as well as some ghost stories associated with them. It was enjoyable to have an expert share his lighthouse knowledge and to answer questions. Captain Vermont, a wonderful storyteller, told us a ghost story associated with the Georgetown light.  We sat spellbound as he told us of the little girl whose ghost still warns fishermen when there is a dangerous storm coming.  After his presentation, Rudy graciously autographed copies of his book and continued to answer questions.  He and his wife joined  in on the conversations and fitted right in with our group of lighthouse enthusiasts.

There were no storms coming over the horizon on this day. Temperatures were comfortable, the sky blue and it was a perfect day to be on the water. We saw plenty of wildlife, including an eagle, osprey, dolphins, egrets, turtles and alligators. Many binoculars were in use throughout the day— even when no lighthouses were in view.

At Cape Romain, we were not able to disembark and roam the island because we probably would have lost a few members in the muddy bottom along this stretch. We did get close enough to the two towers to take plenty of pictures and give Kodak stock a slight boost. The site was abandoned in 1960, but the towers have been renovated and have a nice paint job. Our return trip back to the boat dock was slowed down when we lost one engine, but we made it back before nightfall.  We then headed down to Beaufort, SC.  Although tired from the drive, we enjoyed a nice group dinner at the hotel and prepared for another day of lighthouse viewing. The weather Sunday was just as pretty as Saturday. The group divided into three smaller groups for viewing the Haig Point lighthouse. The lighthouse is a private bed and breakfast used exclusively for guests of  International Paper Company that owns it.  A lucky 24 went over on the company’s morning ferry to Daufuskie Island and upon arrival took a short trek to the light.  Although occupied, the people staying there were more than happy to let us walk through as they talked about the house and it’s resident ghost. That day a local newspaper featured an article on the lighthouse the paper company was to celebrate the lighthouse’s  125th anniversary the following week. The local folks seemed very proud of their light and pleased to see a group such as ours take an interest in it.  The ferry captains were extremely accommodating, pointing out local sites and slowing down so the shutter bugs among us could take some photos.

The remaining two groups went in shifts aboard a fishing boat over to Daufuskie Island. Although unable to disembark, they were able to get some nice shots from just off shore. They also got to see some more of the local wildlife as a dolphin accompanied one group.

During some free time Sunday afternoon, several members visited the Harbor Town lighthouse on their own.  While this is not an official U.S. Lighthouse, it is a symbol of the Sea Pines Plantation. Oddly enough, a small gift shop in the top sells lighthouse items.

The last event was a visit to the Hilton Head Rear Range lighthouse. This is a VERY difficult light to get access to as demonstrated by the difficulty experienced trying to get to it even though we had permission. We made our way past the guard’s gate, through the private community and up to another gate where Hilary had to enter the secret code to caravan through. Without someone who knew about this light, it would be difficult to locate since it is now nestled amongst the trees at the end of a golf course. This lighthouse is the site of the "blue lady" story related earlier by Rudy Kagerer. On a beautiful day such as this, it was hard to imagine the foul weather encountered in the story when the whole island was under water. We used up copious amounts of film, realizing we would probably never have the opportunity to return. We then wended our way out of the exclusive community and went our separate ways.

This trip was wonderful and provided us with an opportunity to see lights not normally accessible. A lot of credit goes to Hilary and Al Salley. Special thanks to the crew of Plantations Cruises, Captain Rodney Singleton, Cody Singleton, and Captain Vermont, and to Rudy and Doris Kagerer for sharing their knowledge and love of lighthouses with us.