Monday, September 30, 2013

Middleton Place Plantation and Charleston Tea Plantation, South Carolina Trip

Sorry it has taken me so long to post more about our vacation.  I was caught up in the nice weather, family and quilting.   My newest projects are undercover secret sewing for Christmas.  It's never too early for a quilter to start on presents.  This is the week of our Streetsboro Quilt Show, so watch for upcoming posts about that fun event.
Middleton Place
Middleton Place Plantation was a joy to visit.  Click on the link above for more information about Middleton Place.  On our Buckeye Tour, we had perfect weather to walk around and enjoy the gardens.  Oh how great to be in the warmth and sun!  We were surprised to learn that rice was the main crop in the South before cotton.  This plantation still had a small rice field plus beautiful landscaped gardens.  Here are some pictures.  I would encourage anyone who is visiting the Charleston, South Carolina area to stop by this great plantation and learn more about the history in the South.
We loved the hanging moss on the trees.  They told us NOT to pick it because there is a little red bug that lives in the moss.  We left it alone and just enjoyed seeing it.  

Reflecting Pool

I see a kangaroo in the clouds





A huge Live Oak!
Middleton Place has some of America's oldest landscaped gardens.  It was spectacular to see!



Live Oak trees never lose their leaves completely.  

Barbie was right at home with the sheep


This is how they kept the grass mowed and fertilized at the Middleton Place Plantation.











Charleston Tea Plantation

After visiting Middleton Place, we drove farther into the country and visited the Charleston Tea Plantation.  This is the only place in America where tea is grown.  It was very interesting to learn about the whole process of making.  Click on the link above for a more detailed description of how they grow and process American Classic Tea.
Field of tea plants
Our Tea Tour Bus. 
Tea Plant up close

Only the top few leaves are used to make the tea.
Only in America!  A John Deere engineer, a tea expert and a farmer invented a machine that would carefully pick the top tea leaves.  It's called the Green Giant Tea Picker.  Here is an image from Explore Charleston Web Site. 
Charleston Tea Plantation Green Machine harvestor
Green Giant

A good time was had by all and by the end of the day we were ready for the rocking chair.  
Our shopping bags were full of good American Tea and we were grateful for the sunny weather and fun filled day.

"With a good friend, or new friends, the days are never long."  ~ my own quote. 

1 comment:

  1. What a wonderful trip! Love getting to see you and Barb's adventures! I learn so much about places I've never been!

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